How to Replace a Broken Pool Light Bulb

If you like swimming at night, pool lights are essential for your safety and enjoyment. Many homeowners mistakenly think that replacing a pool light will mean hours of work and partially draining the pool. However, most pool lights do not require so much work to change the bulb. In fact, you may not need your bathing suit at all to replace the bulb in the pool light.

Step 1: Flip the switch at the circuit breaker that services the pool lights. Have the lights on to make sure that they turn off once the circuit breaker switch has been flipped.

Step 2: Remove the small screw at the top of the pool light. This is called the pilot screw, and holds the light in the casing. There may be more screws, but this is unusual. However, you should remove all the screws that secure the pool light into the casing.

Step 3: Pull out the swimming pool light and set it on the edge of the pool. Most lights should have enough wire coiled between the light and the pool to allow this step without detaching the wiring.

Step 4: Examine the front of the swimming pool light and remove the screws, clamps, or other fasteners that hold the lens of the pool light to the rest of the fixture. Untwist the bulb underneath the lens.

Step 5: Look in the housing of the pool light for a sticker that indicates the manufacturer's name, type of light, and voltage and wattage requirements. Write down these measurements. If the sticker is not there, bring the bulb with your for replacement purposes. You should also purchase a new gasket for your pool light.

Step 6: Screw in the new bulb to the pool light fixture. Remove the old gasket that creates a water tight seal inside the fixture and put the new gasket in its place. Place the lens over the new gasket and replace the clamps or screws you removed during step 4 to recreate the water tight seal.

Step 7: Dunk the light fixture into the pool. Look for bubbles that indicate there is a leak in the fixture. If there is a leak, reposition the new gasket and lens and try again until you have created an airtight seal.

Step 8: Put the pool light fixture back into the hole in the side of the pool. Screw back in the pilot screw to secure the pool fixture.