A simple flue cap replacement in Portland turned into a 4 hour ordeal

Got called out to a house on SE Division for what the owner said was a loose cap. The problem was the old mounting screws were rusted solid into the clay tile, and my impact driver just stripped them. Ended up having to carefully drill them out with a Milwaukee M12 right angle drill, which took forever to avoid cracking the tile. Anyone have a better method for seized fasteners in old chimney crowns?

3 comments

3 Comments

brooke52010d ago

Rusted screws in old chimneys are the worst!

the_joseph10d ago

My 1910 house taught me to soak them in vinegar first.

lopez.karen5d ago

Read somewhere that a mix of baking soda and water can work too.