On 14/02/2011 20:39, Jethro wrote:
While dismantling my spare loo to fit a combined waste/soil pipe (see
posts passim !) I broke the screws I used to fit the loo and wooden
paneling to the floor. Luckily I was able to unscrew two diagonally
opposed screws on the loo, so I redrilled and used 2 no.6 bolts with
10mm heavy duty rawlplugs.

Unfortunately I couldn't do anything with the 5 others that broke, so
redrilled some holes about 3cm from them, and refitted the brackets.

I pity the poor sod who tries to drill holes where the broken screws
are - although I suspect that when it needs maintenance or
refurbishing, the poor sod will be me.

I did have the bright idea of trying to blast the screw/rawlplug
combination with a blowtorch, in the vain hope the plastic would melt,
and I could pull the whole assembly out. However, I suspect that
because the concrete acts as a sodding big heatsink, the heat wasn't
doing much - I certainly couldn't move anything.

Trying to drill the broken screws out was an abject failure - the
drill slipped, went between the screw and rawlplug, and promptly
broke. So now one of the screws has some HSS to add to the fun ;-)

What would people here do ? Or is the only guranteed answer to smash
the concrete to pieces, and relay where needed ?

Had a similar thing in the bathroom last year, but that's a wooden
floor, and it was easier to get some small mole grips on, and ease the
stump out.

If you can get mole grips on, then use them to unscrew rather than pull
or lever.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk