Expert Q&A for How to Remove Rusted Screws

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What's the easiest way to remove a stripped screw?

Barry Zakar
Handyman
Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.

Barry Zakar

Handyman

Expert Answer

There are kits out there that make this process a lot easier. You just attach a specialized bit to an impact driver and drive it out of the hole.

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Question

Can I remove a rusty screw with my drill?

Barry Zakar
Handyman
Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.

Barry Zakar

Handyman

Expert Answer

Depending on where the screw is located, you may be able to do this. You can just drill straight into the same hole the screw is in. If you're lucky, the old screw will pop out. If you aren't lucky, it'll push through at a diagonal, but that shouldn't matter if you're replacing the screw anyway.

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Question

What can I do if I can't get the screw out?

Barry Zakar
Handyman
Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.

Barry Zakar

Handyman

Expert Answer

If you're replacing it, just leave the busted screw where it is. Then install the new screw next to it. If you absolutely need to remove it, you're going to have to cut it out.

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Question

How do I unscrew a screw that won't budge?

Lui Colmenares
Licensed Contractor
Lui Colmenares is a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor and Handyman for Mr. Handy NYC based in New York City, New York. Lui is trained and educated as an industrial engineer and specializes in carpentry, painting, and general handyman work such as mounting TVs, doorknob and deadbolt installation, furniture assembly, tile repair, and grouting. Mr. Handy NYC prides itself on quality work performed with speed, skill, and punctuality.

Lui Colmenares

Licensed Contractor

Expert Answer

Try putting a rubber band over the screw head and then fit a screwdriver into the groove. Try unscrewing it like normal since the rubber band will give you extra grip.

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