DIY: Remove a stripped screw

Tenants and power tools aren’t the best combination. Unless said tenant is also a contractor, there’s a high chance that if they use screws to attach their belongings to the walls, they’ll strip them. And if this happens, forget about them removing the screws when they leave. That leaves the task up to you.

You’ll Need:

• A power drill
• A drill bit the size of the screw thread
• A Phillips head screwdriver

Work Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

1. Select a drill bit that’s about the size of the screw thread. Take your best guess. You’ll be all set as long as the bit is smaller in diameter than the head of the screw.
2. Place the tip of the drill bit on top of the stripped screw, begin slowly screwing into the head of the screw. Keep all fingers and body parts away from the drill bit in case it slips off.
3. Once you’ve made a dent in the head, remove the drill.
4. Fit your Phillips head screwdriver into the newly formed dent and apply pressure.
5. Slowly turn the screw counterclockwise until fully removed.

Pro-tip: If the screw is just barely stripped, you might be able to use the duct tape trick. Cover the stripped screw head in duct tape and fit your screwdriver into the groove on top of the tape. Apply pressure and turn counterclockwise. The tape should fill in the gaps making it easy to remove the screw.

Want more tips like these?

Download our FREE DIY Maintenance for Property Managers guide for a compilation of easy fixes accompanied by Buildium tips and step-by-step photo instructions.