Shower strainer screws rusted out, stuck in housing

Gingerkid

Hello all. The flat shower strainer was attached to what appears to be a PVC flange via two screws. I took the strainer off to clean the junk out and found the screws had rusted, with a portion of the screws still screwed into the flange.

I've attempted to pull the now headless screws out with pliers which resulted in rounded off rusted 'spikes' protruding from the flange. As pictured, the two smaller round sections of the flange is where the screws went into.

A buddy in the neighborhood had the same issue and carefully drilled them out. Is there another option? Perhaps something that snaps in? If not, what type of screws would be preferred for this application?

Picture. The strainer is a flat disk, with screws going past the tile floor for attachment to the PVC flange.

jagans

That be a ugly installation. Get a 6 x 6 piece of flat perforated Stainless Steel
and set it in clear silicone. Have a beer.

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joecaption

I'm not seeing a good outcome on this one. Is there access below?
It would be easyer to replace it then get the screws out.

Gingerkid

This is a master shower on second floor, no access to below. The flange is under the tile work, so no way on replacing that sucker without ripping up the tile - as far as I can tell anyway.

Any suggestions?

joecaption

Unless you have a flat surface to use a combination drill and counter sink, or a screw extractor like this, http://www.bing.com/shopping/alden-a...%2bset&FORM=EG

There's just no way to keep a reguler drill center in the screw.
It's going to do one of two things, snap off or skate off to the side and take out the drain shoe.

Welcome to try, but looks like your going to have to open up the ceiling below.

Gingerkid

I'm tempted to just caulk the strainer onto the tile (as an adhesive) and rip it up next time it needs cleaning. I really don't want to try to drill into that flange.

joecaption

One of my main jobs in a job shop I work in was to removed bolts and screw that had snaped of in anything from A Harley exhost, D9 bulldozer, an antique ravaloli machine, old flat head motor. So take my suggestons for what there worth.

paintdrying

Why do you need screws exactly? If you need that cover anchored I would put the cover back in and pre drill new holes somewhere else in the pipe cover and pipe. You could build a jig and drill those screws out. I you be willing to bet the pipe would crack if you tried to drill the screws.

Gingerkid

Pre drilling new holes still involves drilling on that PVC flange, which I really want to avoid.

TheEplumber

There few replacement options.
i doubt you can buy from these folks but other places carry these
http://www.siouxchief.com/Drainage/R...place-It.WSFVO

http://www.siouxchief.com/Drainage/R.../Gripper.OQKF1

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Gingerkid

Now that is a viable option! Thanks!