We recently rented a house, and when I went to put a new lightbulb in my DD's closet I noticed that the threads to an old lightbulb were still in the socket. Everything else has been removed- all glass, wires, everything.... So I can't do the potato trick (which is my default for broken bulbs.) The bulb remnants are also flush with the socket, so there isn't anything to grab onto with a wrench or anything. I really need a lightbulb in there, because it's a walk-in and dark...
Any advice? I already mentioned it to our landlords, buuut they are pretty useless. They have still failed to address some other issues we have with the house after several months. I'm hesitant to push them too hard, because they are my husband's closest friend's parents. (One point I argued against moving here in he first place... Aaaaand I was right.)
I have had this problem and I got it out with needle nose pliers. You can usually wedge them in enough to get a grip on it.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&...
You need to make sure you turn off the electricity first with the circuit breaker.
Turn off the circuit breaker to the room and open a pair of needle nose pliers as far as they will go to put the tips tightly on either side of the inside of the socket at the top. Twist and it should start to unscrew.
I had to do this with a closet light in a friend's house once.
Whatever you try... be sure to turn the power OFF to the socket at your circuit box....... if you need light to work in there, have someone hold a flashlight for you.
M.,
Go to your main circuit panel and turn the electricity off in that room.
You CAN use the potato, it will act as the socket.
You can also use a bar of soap. I know. But it DOES work! You MUST turn COUNTER-CLOCKWISE!!!
If you don't feel comfortable doing that? Replace the fixture. It might be faster and easier than trying to get the bulb out. Screw driver, remove screws and put next fixture in place.
I've heard you can use a potato.
Maybe put a closed pliers in there and open it up and try unscrewing?
Maybe one of these methods will work.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Remove-Broken-Light-Bulbs...
