Workshop
Ask a question

The Bunnings Workshop community can help with your home improvement projects.

How to deal with screws sticking out?

SyedAhmed
Getting Established

How to deal with screws sticking out?

Hi Team.

 

I've had a shed installed last week, and have noticed a few of these screws sticking out down the inside of the walls and along the roof.

 

I'm worried about someone getting hurt if they accidentally scratch themselves or fall against the wall.

 

Any suggestions on what to do?

 

I could unscrew a few and replace them with bolts and nuts but that's not really practical.

 

I could angle grind / cut them off with a Dremel.

 

Alternatively, is there some sort of cap that I can add to cover each screw?

 

1000061999.jpg

 

1000062000.jpg

  

EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Dealing with screws sticking out

Hello @SyedAhmed 

 

I propose using a Porta 19x19mm 1.8m Round Dowel Grandis to cover the sharp ends of the screws. I suggest cutting the dowel into 15mm lengths or at least a bit longer than the screw sticking out. Drill the centre of dowel to prevent it from splitting, if the pilot hole is too small the timber will split. Once you've drilled the dowel, screw it onto the exposed end of the screw and hand tighten. Do not over tighten as it will strip the timbre, and the dowel will fall off. 

 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

 

Eric

 

See something interesting? Give it the thumbs up!
Dave-1
Community Megastar

Re: Dealing with screws sticking out

Good Evening @SyedAhmed 

That is an interesting problem and mythinking is along the same way as yours.

My idea is similar to @EricL's but differant enough :smile: to be an option.

 

For any vertical run of the screws You could use something like Porta 20x8mm 1.2m Square Edged Board Clear Pine (you can get longer lengths but was after the profile size. You push the whole piece against the screws so that you can see the imprint of the screws in the pine. Then you drill out the imprints with 1/4" drill. Test that it goes over the screws without being forced. If succesful then you use liquid nails to glue it to the tin. 

 

For the screws on the roof, I would cut small squares of the same timber. Same process to mark the 20 * 20mm timber, drill out and then glue. Makeing sure all the squares are glued the same way :smile: Just to be tidy.

 

This way you arent weakening anything or unscrewing anything.

 

Dave

Nailbag
Kind of a Big Deal

Re: How to deal with screws sticking out?

Hi @SyedAhmed 

 

I would suggest just replacing the ones exposed on the inside to a flat surface (see image) and not worry about the recessed ones. Just replace them with something like these which won't take you long to do. and as @EricL highlighted be careful not to over tighten as the thread will strip. Use a drill/driver to remove and a screwdriver to install the new shorter ones.

 

Nailbag 

 

Screenshot 2024-11-18 at 10.51.11 pm.png

 

 

SyedAhmed
Getting Established

Re: How to deal with screws sticking out?

Thanks @EricL , @Dave-1 and @Nailbag . I especially love the idea of adding those channels!

 

What are your thoughts on using something like these wall plugs? They're meant to go around screws, except that I'd be using them outside a wall instead of inside. Not as elegant as a channel but might work?

 

EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: How to deal with screws sticking out?

Hi @SyedAhmed 

 

The wall plugs you mentioned are for brick and concrete use and usually deform and split when being used. I don't recommend using them.

 

Eric

 

See something interesting? Give it the thumbs up!
SyedAhmed
Getting Established

Re: How to deal with screws sticking out?

Got it, wall plugs are a no go.

Why join the Bunnings Workshop community?

Workshop is a friendly place to learn, get ideas and find inspiration for your home improvement projects