Think Before You Drill

Drilling an unnecessary hole or two through a wall stud or a floor joist isn’t a big deal. Visitors will never see it, and you’re not weakening your house’s framing. This won’t help you get the job done any faster, however, especially if you drill a whole series of holes in the wrong places. Drilling the wrong hole in plaster or drywall is another matter because it requires a repair. In the worst-case scenario, let’s say you cut a four-inch-diameter hole in the ceiling with a hole saw only to discover it was in the wrong location. You would have to …

• Patch in new drywall or plaster.
• Coat the patch with finish plaster or drywall compound until it’s smooth. (In the case of a textured surface, the texturing would have to be matched.)
• Prime and paint the patch.
• Possibly paint the entire ceiling to match the patched area.

What if you’re not sure where you want to locate a light fixture? Attach some blue painter’s masking tape (this type doesn’t dry out as quickly as regular masking tape) to the proposed location and leave it up for a day or two. Apply the tape in roughly the same shape as the fixture. If it’s a hanging fixture, also attach a string the same length as the chain or light cord. You might decide you don’t want hanging lights, or you might want to relocate them.
When you’re satisfied you’ve found the right location, you can start cutting into the ceiling.