Electrical – Rusted screws in outdoor outlet box

brickelectricalmortaroutdoorscrews

Summarize the problem

I need help removing rusted screws from an outdoor outlet box. A few notes:

  • The outlet box was used for an outdoor light that I removed
  • I turned off the breaker
  • I have access to the back of the box

Provide details and any research

Here's a photo of the box:
enter image description here

When appropriate, describe what you’ve tried

I've tried:

  1. Applying WD-40 Specialist Penetrating oil
  2. Hammering the front and sides of the screw
  3. Trying and failing to unscrew both screws

My questions are:

  1. Should I try other things to remove the screws?
  2. Or should I just pull the box out and install a new one?

Best Answer

Hacksaw?

If you saw thru the rusty plate (twice, one for left slot and one for right) and remove it by pulling it out from under the screw, the remaining screw will be sticking up enough for you to get hold of the whole head with a pliers and unscrew it.

It is hard to argue w Alaska Man (or you) re merits of replacing the whole box. But it seems like you would need these screws out to do that too.

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