How do I change a chandelier bulb?

[leeds1971]

This may seem a stupid question, but we are thinking of moving a chandelier to a new position where it will be 4 -5 metres above a staircase.
This will mean whilst it looks great it will be a real pain (and quite precarious) to reach.

If a bulb goes, how can I get to it?

Do I have the chandelier installed on a very long chain and lower it down from the attic when I need to get at it?

Any ideas would be much appreciated

 

[philpjuk100]

call the Trotters!

 

[LadyArowana]

Only 3 options, the chandelier descends to you, you ascend to it, or the bulbs remain off. Maybe put in new long life bulbs before you move it and defer the problem until it needs to be solved.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Ha - beat Penners to it for once!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hooet4XPjU0

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Buy a chimpanzee

 

[Zebra]

I can't imagine a set up that would allow you to lower the light from the attic. To achieve that there would have to be a hole in the ceiling (which you'd see) with a chain coming down through it. There would have to be some sort of a winch in the loft? And the electrical cable would have to be extendable also. You'd then have to unhook it from its fixings to lower it...... Such a system may exist, I don't know, but it would surely be a complex set up...
Which way do the stairs face - would it be possible to place a ladder on the stairs (with pads on the top ends to prevent you marking the wall)?

 

[JoceAndChris]

Our ceilings are just 8ft8 so I go up ladders but hoists are available.

http://www.uk.thechandeliercompany.com/section.php/914/1/hoists/59ad4b2cf4c4f917ba54e51eeb019be3

I love this company, they're great. That might be too heavy duty for your needs though.

By the way, for cleaning, you can't beat a regular gentle rub wearing white cotton gloves.

 

[Feltwell]

By the way, for cleaning, you can't beat a regular gentle rub wearing white cotton gloves.

Sounds like fun, but I'll stick to taking a shower :wink:

(Sorry - couldn't resist!)

 

[Gareth Hughes]

By the way, for cleaning, you can't beat a regular gentle rub wearing white cotton gloves.

Sounds like fun, but I'll stick to taking a shower :wink:

(Sorry - couldn't resist!)

I think showers are a long-lost memory for Joce at the moment - no rain, no well, no nothing

 

[Lime]

May I suggest holes in the ceiling directly above each lamp so that they may be changed from the attic/loft?
Decorative covers could be pulled up to obscure the holes.
(I believe a surplus of holes has occurred recently)

Alternatively for those of a more athletic temperament, pitons in the wall.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Alternatively for those of a more athletic temperament, pitons in the wall.

Oh you didn't say the OP was an athletic type - that opens up many more possibilities!

From something like this (You may need to right-click "view image" to see all of this image):

or if the OP has a few family members, they could try this approach:

Being more serious, this may be an option. I've seen painters using these for ceilings and walls:

Apparently, you can get up quite a height once proficient!

 

[Moo]

When we took up the floorboards in one of our attic bedrooms we found the chain that had supported the light-fitting on the floor below.

 

[Lime]

But where would you put the lamp bulbs particularly any hot ones?