Screw head broke off

[yuanzichen]

The slotted screw head broke off on an exterior outlet cover in my house. I am checking if it’s a 12 gauge wire to replace it with a 20 amp GFCI. What do i do now to get it off?

 

[Pathfinders]

Turn off power, drill out broken head of screw, remove cover, remove broken screw and replace cover and screw.

 

[Dirtydan69]

What PF said. Also verify that it’s a 20 amp circuit before using a 20 amp GFCI. Another tidbit, how old is your house? That outlet may already be consoled by a GFCI oulet in the garage. On most homes built in the last 15 years or so all exterior outlets are on the load side of the garage GFCI.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

If you have a Dremel kinda thing (rotary tool, I have the M12 rotary tool), you can grind a slot in the middle, going perpendicular to the existing remains of the slot and try again with your screw driver.

 

[yuanzichen]

Built in 1970. I am replacing every outlet as they appear to be very very old along with the wall plate. Newly installed stuffs like disposer, fridge, dishwasher and whirlpool tub are GFCI protected. I have done all interiors and have two exterior ones left.

What PF said. Also verify that it’s a 20 amp circuit before using a 20 amp GFCI. Another tidbit, how old is your house? That outlet may already be consoled by a GFCI oulet in the garage. On most homes built in the last 15 years or so all exterior outlets are on the load side of the garage GFCI.

 

[yuanzichen]

I do! Sounds like something to try before I drill it.

If you have a Dremel kinda thing (rotary tool, I have the M12 rotary tool), you can grind a slot in the middle, going perpendicular to the existing remains of the slot and try again with your screw driver.

 

[Kaizen]

Gfci you will need a new cover so just rip it off. The screw is in the outlet you will be replacing


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[dogdog]

you'll probably needed to heat that screw up to get it out or change the box. The box is probably aluminum, and the metal screw have galvanized to the box...

I had to use a small torch heat it up and grab it with a vise grip then it came off easily... that is on my 30+ year old light box.....

 

[BD1]

Your going to replace outlet anyway so pry away outlet cover on the ends. This will expose the outlet screws that hold outlet to box. Remove old outlet with cover on it

 

[Milton Shaw]

Just hit it with a 1/4 inch drill and then throw the cover and outlet away as they are done with it.

 

[The Cobbler]

chances are the receptacle mounting screws will be seized too if it's an aluminum box

 

[cherrybomb]

I would try a small center punch,left hand center drill,then left hand drill bit.It has taken a while to build up a selection to tackle the different bolt sizes ,but they sure can be another go to in a guys arsenal.