I recently took out the old ceiling drywall in my basement, a task that revealed numerous rusted screws and nails holding it up. Unfortunately, a lot of the screw heads either broke off or got stripped, leaving around a dozen screws stuck in the joists, with about half an inch protruding. I'd really like to get them out, but I'm concerned about potentially damaging the joists in the process. What are the best methods for removing these stubborn screws without causing harm?
3 Answers
An oscillating multi-tool with a carbide blade is super effective for this. It cuts right through the screws without harming the wood around them. I’d even recommend holding something like a pan beneath to catch the debris as you go.
You can either bend them and break the remnants off, or if you have vice grips, grab them and unscrew. I’ve found that they snap off pretty easily, plus you can use channel locks to bend it until it breaks cleanly.
Another method is to use a bolt cutter or large diagonal cutter. Just cut the screw partway and then snap the rest off. Don't stress too much about the joists; screws tend to give way faster than nails. If you need a longer-term solution, you could also file down the ends using metal files until they're flush.