Phillips groove at the top of a faucet screw is stripped & can't budge it. Is there any way to get it out?

Question

It's the screw which I need to remove in order to replace a washer in one of the faucet handles. The top is stripped so I can't can't get the dang thing off. Help. The drippy faucet is driving me crazy & costing me a fortune in H2O.

Answer 1

Apply some Liquid Wrench to help break the rust which is probably locking the screw into the threads.

Then get a screw extractor (aka Easy Out) for the screw size - chances are it is a 6-32 screw used in the faucet. Then use a 3/32" drill bit to make a hole into the top of the screw - right thru the Philips head cross into the body of the screw -- about 1/4" deep.

Then tap the screw extractor into the drilled hole and using an SE handle, small open-ended wrench, pliers or small Crescent wrench, turn the extractor counterclockwise.

The screw extractor will drive itself into the screw while you are extracting the screw in the CCW direction.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

First you need to cut the old screw of to remove the tap head and then go to a plumbing shop and buy a tap reviver or adapter tap, which means you can strip the whole inside of your tap and renew using above. You will then be left with a new tap with an old body. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

take a hacksaw and cut a groove across the top of the screw and use a regular flathead screwdriver to back the screw out.

Answer 4

go to a hardware store, ask for a easy out. it has a left hand twist. drill a small hole in the screw and put in the easy out it grabes the screw and will allow you to remove it
jim

Answer 5

get a hack saw and very carfully cut a slot in the head for a straight slot screw driver to fit into

Answer 6

WHEN THIS HAPPENS FOR ME I TAKE MY DREMEL TOOL WITH A SMALL CUTOFF WHEEL AND CUT A GROOVE DOWN INTO THE CENTER OF THE SCREW HEAD SO I CAN USE A FLAT HEAD SCREWDRIVER AND SPRAY WITH WD40 TO LOOSEN IT UP.