Floor drain screw refuses to come out, even with upward pressure

Submitted by _temp_variable t3_10o5phv in DIY

Hi /r/DIY

I have a floor drain cover which has a screw which just refuses to come out. The screw isn't stripped, but it seems like when you turn it anti clockwise it raises up slightly then goes back downwards. I tried the techniques I saw online, such as putting wd-40 on it which just made it spin faster. I also tried applying an insane amount of upward force on it while turning the screw as everything online seems to suggest that will work. But after 3 hours of putting tonnes of upward pressure on it, it just won't come out. All that seemed to do is make it "looser" as in it wiggles more left to right now, but it still refuses to come out.

I'm assuming that the only thing to do now is grab my drill and drill through the screw to break it up so I can finally take this drain cover off?

Thanks for any help.

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Comments

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lastMinute_panic t1_j6cug9o wrote

You've got a lot more patience than I. Drill baby drill.

8

CRFU250 t1_j6cw04p wrote

Try prying the cover upwards a little bit. It’s possible that the screw is very short and built into the cover, so it’ll never come out.

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_temp_variable OP t1_j6d05g0 wrote

Thanks, I tried that and it was still stuck, I ended up bending the drain cover a bit trying to pull the side with the screw stuck in upwards!

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agua_moose t1_j6cug82 wrote

The only time this is likely to happen is if the screw has reached the end of thread - i.e. it might already be out. Are you sure it's not a captive screw and stays in the drain cover? I assume you're comparing it to the other ones in the cover?

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_temp_variable OP t1_j6d0113 wrote

Thanks, yep both screws are meant to unscrew fully as I've unscrewed it before. I can lift one half of the drain cover but the part with the screw in is stuck still.

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agua_moose t1_j6d2hrs wrote

In which case everything you're trying sounds right. It'll be interesting to see what has happened to it. Time to look for the least destructive way to get past it.

−1

the_quark t1_j6cz3zd wrote

I just want to add my voice to the idea that you've got drain cover with a captive screw. It doesn't come out of the drain cover, but you've unscrewed it. Use a flathead screwdriver and lever the drain cover up and see if it just pops out.

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_temp_variable OP t1_j6d09e2 wrote

Thanks - yep the screw is still stuck when I tried this, I even bended the drain cover a bit trying to put upward pressure on the stuck screw lol

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the_quark t1_j6d1sc0 wrote

Welp. Yeah there's something we don't understand going on here, but I think if I were you I'd grab my drill.

0

Scubadrew t1_j6df5cv wrote

Did you try swearing at it!?

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A_Plumber2020 t1_j6gopvu wrote

If ths screw comes up a little bit, use a pair of locking pliers (vicegrips) to grab the head and pull up hard while turning it. This usually works on these pesky floor drain cover screws. Then you can use the next size up thread tap and put in a stainless steel screw (that way it won't corrode).

Note: I saw you mention using a drill to take the head of the screw off. You can do this, but you may need to use a pair of pliers to keep the screw from spinning while you drill it.

1