Screws for Downpipes

Davesnave

Hello.:)

I have a rendered house, which has recently been re-rendered and new soffits, gutters etc installed.

Now I have come to paint, I notice that while most screws holding the pipe supports are stainless steel, some are not, so they will probably rust over time.

Also, when removing the screws to paint behind the pipes etc I am finding it hard to get a purchase on the Phillips/Pozi type heads, which damage easily, and one has also snapped off below the head.

So, it seems non-ss screws are stronger, re-usable, but liable to rust, while ss screws are not happy being re-used and somewhat fragile at the best of times.

Is there an answer? I'm sure there is and I just don't know it!

Silver-Surfer_2

Phillips/pozi type head.

Which one is it and are you using the right bit?

Stevie_Palimo

Probably self tapping screws and you can replace like for like or use masonry ones instead.

Davesnave

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

Phillips/pozi type head.

Which one is it and are you using the right bit?

I'd have to check again, because I can't remember, but I have both types of bit. However, there's damage to some of the heads, and one broken as mentioned, so with those it could be academic.

I can carry on using the non stainless screws while the downpipes come off for 2 or 3 coats of paint, but I then want to replace with something more substantial.

I think the suggestion of self tapping screws with their thicker profile will be OK, rather than what's probably a wood screw.

southcoastrgi

I bet a pound to a penny they aren't SS screws just normal wood screws

Lorian

I use screwfix turbogold for this purpose, mostly because I have loads, but also because they don't particularly rust and tend not to snap.

maninthestreet

Never had an SS screw snap on me - are you sure they SS ?

Davesnave

maninthestreet wrote: »

Never had an SS screw snap on me - are you sure they SS ?

As in "I think, therefore I am," sure? No, but I use larger SS screws for other outdoor projects and I know how soft the heads are, and what they look like.

Anyway, I've no objection to SS screws, if they are thicker than these.

keith969

Davesnave wrote: »

I'd have to check again, because I can't remember, but I have both types of bit. However, there's damage to some of the heads, and one broken as mentioned, so with those it could be academic.

I can carry on using the non stainless screws while the downpipes come off for 2 or 3 coats of paint, but I then want to replace with something more substantial.

I think the suggestion of self tapping screws with their thicker profile will be OK, rather than what's probably a wood screw.

Presumably you have rawlplugs so a normal 'wood' screw will be fine - I tend to use BZP (bright zinc plated), stainless are over the top unless you live right by the sea. Plenty of types and heads to choose from: http://www.screwfix.com/c/screws-nails-fixings/screws/cat840008

I hardly ever re-use screws. Most are cheap enough to warrant a replacement.

Le_Kirk

If you have a magnet you will be able to detect SS as it is not magnetic.

50Twuncle

Le_Kirk wrote: »

If you have a magnet you will be able to detect SS as it is not magnetic.

That is not strictly true - only Austenitic SS is non-magnetic !