masonrymetal
Can anyone please help me identify what the fixing below is and how to remove it?
Four of them attached a wooden gate post to the side of a masonry wall. The wooden post is gone – it was rotten so came off with a crow bar. Now I'm left with these and they're very firmly embedded in the wall. Some have half broken off due to rust. There doesn't seem to be any screw or nail in the middle but maybe there is one and it's deeply embedded inside.
What makes you reasonably certain it's not a protective plate? I ask because this is almost by definition what a protective plate does.
This is likely protecting an electrical cable. When you run wires to outlets or switches, it's good practice (and required by code in many places) that you place protective plates on the wooden studs where electrical cable has been ran through it. This is an important safety measure, to keep you from drilling or nailing into a live electrical cable.
for example:
yes. screw it back into place. Use truss-head type screws rated for exterior use. Truss screws have a round very flat head. Drill pilot holes to fasten to frame beneath. Start your repair in the center of the loosened panel; working outwards in each direction. This will decrease the chance of the panel becoming distorted. Apply 100% silicone along underside of panel to improve adhesion and waterproofing. I'd use as few screws as possible so as to not twist or wrinkle the metal siding. If you use urethane caulking it will not only stop water penetration it will adhere to the metal and framing much like a construction adhesive would. 2 for 1 as it were.
Best Answer
I believe that is called a spring pin anchor or express nail
To remove it, I'd try these:
or any nail puller.
Spraying some Liquid Wrench or other light lubricant might make it easier to pull out, but also slippery to hold onto, and might make an oily rusty stain.