Jim and I have a table lamp on the sink in our bathroom. This unusual home decorating element can be explained by the fact that we actually have no bathroom. We have studs and a blue tarp and plumbing but no electricity. So Jim has rigged up a 'temporary' system which involves the table lamp.
This lamp is a critical feature since it is the only light in the room, so when it started to flicker off and on, I got a little nervous. Jim assured me that fixing it would be a snap. I am happy to report that I only had to resort to candles on the sink for one night, which actually made for a very peaceful and relaxing bath.
To repair a flickering lamp, first you need to be sure that the problem is in the socket and not the wiring. Unplug the lamp and take out the bulb. Remove the cover of the socket and inside you will see a flap where the bottom of the bulb connects. Pry this flap up slightly and then retry the lamp. If the light is still wonky, then you need to replace the socket.
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Go to your favorite hardware store and buy a replacement switch. Be prepared for the store clerk to ask you which kind you want: push through, turn knob, three-way, or pull chain.
Uncover the socket again. Loosen the two side screws; notice which wire goes to which screw. It’s usually black wire to colored screw, white wire to silver screw. If there is no difference in the wire colors, you can attach them to either screw. Remove the old socket.
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Wrap the wires to the correct screws on the new socket and tighten the screws. Slide on the housing and push the socket into the base. Put in a bulb and plug the lamp in. Keep your fingers crossed.
This repair job cost us $3.50 and took five minutes. It also made me aware of how easy it would be to make a lamp out of an old vase or wine jug or piece of wood. Obviously starting from scratch would require the wire and a plug and a holder for the lamp shade, but the process is still simple. Next time you need a wedding or baby present, you could create your own lamp.
