General maintenance is ongoing when you own a home. Ask any homeowner. Major to minor, there is always something that needs attention. We recently needed to make some repairs to the lamp post out front. Read on.
There was no lamp post in the front yard when we bought Crest Avenue in 2001, so that was one of the first things we installed. Over time, through the ravages of hot summers and frigid winters, this poor crosspiece finally "cracked". It literally "cracked." Not only was it cracked, but it was terribly weather-worn. It needed to be replaced.
Into the recycling bin with the old crosspiece.
Then, over to Lowe's to pick up a new one. These are found in the area with the outdoor lighting. This is separate from the general lighting section where you find ceiling fixtures, chandeliers and ceiling fans. There is a separate and exclusive aisle just for outdoor lighting. I think this was three dollars and some change. Certainly one of the least expensive home maintenance projects on our list.
Here is the lamp post with the new crosspiece installed. So simple to do. Just twist off one of the end pieces, insert the crosspiece through the pre-drilled opening, and secure the end piece back in place. Then adjust how you would like. You could center it, as I have done. Or you could push it all the way to the left or the right. Whatever you like. Be aware that these crosspieces are not load bearing, so it is not recommended that you hang anything on them such as a house number plaque.
Our next project on the lamp post is to replace this faulty dusk/dawn sensor. Again, through many years of extreme weather, this sensor no longer can detect when it is daylight and when it is dark. I bought a new sensor while I was at Lowe's getting the crosspiece. I do not do any electrical work. No matter how minor. So this will have to scheduled with Ken the electrician once the weather is suitable to work outdoors. In the meantime, we will just turn the lamp post on and off with the switch just inside the front door.
There was no lamp post in the front yard when we bought Crest Avenue in 2001, so that was one of the first things we installed. Over time, through the ravages of hot summers and frigid winters, this poor crosspiece finally "cracked". It literally "cracked." Not only was it cracked, but it was terribly weather-worn. It needed to be replaced.
Into the recycling bin with the old crosspiece.
Then, over to Lowe's to pick up a new one. These are found in the area with the outdoor lighting. This is separate from the general lighting section where you find ceiling fixtures, chandeliers and ceiling fans. There is a separate and exclusive aisle just for outdoor lighting. I think this was three dollars and some change. Certainly one of the least expensive home maintenance projects on our list.
Here is the lamp post with the new crosspiece installed. So simple to do. Just twist off one of the end pieces, insert the crosspiece through the pre-drilled opening, and secure the end piece back in place. Then adjust how you would like. You could center it, as I have done. Or you could push it all the way to the left or the right. Whatever you like. Be aware that these crosspieces are not load bearing, so it is not recommended that you hang anything on them such as a house number plaque.
Our next project on the lamp post is to replace this faulty dusk/dawn sensor. Again, through many years of extreme weather, this sensor no longer can detect when it is daylight and when it is dark. I bought a new sensor while I was at Lowe's getting the crosspiece. I do not do any electrical work. No matter how minor. So this will have to scheduled with Ken the electrician once the weather is suitable to work outdoors. In the meantime, we will just turn the lamp post on and off with the switch just inside the front door.
