removing downpipe

[gatoblanco]

My downpipe is full up with water to where the guttering connects. Gutter is clear, and the part of the downpipe where it connectsto the gutter is clear therefore by my logic either the downpipe is blocked or the drain that it goes into at the bottom is blocked.
Need to remove the downpipe to investigate.
I don't know how to remove this screw going into the brick. The slit isn't deep at all. Ie it doesn't seem to be for a screw driver? Is it a rivet? What do I do please?
Not sure how to add photo on mobile

[Bedford]

Try post 6 here, http://somersoft.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106476

[bsrlee]

If it has a sort of translucent washer around it, then it is a one shot fitting, the screw slot is purely decorative. The plastic bit is similar to the plastic plugs we all know, where you just use a regular screw to expand it, but the one shot fixing uses the centre pin to expand the plastic sleeve and there is no way to back it out non-destructively - basically use a pry bar and if you are lucky it will come out in one or more pieces.

If you have ready access to the gutter, have you tried shoving your garden hose down the pipe from the top? There could be some dead bird or piece of fruit etc (again, blame the birds) just stuck in a bend in the pipe, possibly just needs a gentle prod. Otherwise, look for the 'trap' on the drain line and try the hose trick from the other end - if it was put in by a plumber there should be one in line, possibly buried (if it was put in by a previous owner, oh well...)

[Chesand]

:iagree:
If the plugs have been put into the mortar they will come out easily.
If you can only get one out then bend the bracket back to release the down pipe and then bend back into place when replacing the down pipe

[mpg]

Nylon anchor?? Just pull the nail out

[nadroj]

I use nylon anchor fixings a lot, as they are very efficient for attachment to masonary, like the concrete block walls of my workshop.
I found some types can be removed by unscrewing. These have a cross shaped depression in the head, Posidriv I think.
The more common, smaller ones with slots are a puzzle - they are seldom deep enough to be able to be successfully removed with a blade screwdriver. You could try using a thin angle grinder disc to make a better slot.
They all tend to be pretty hard nails, and have spiral "threads" which appear to be there to aid removal.
If unscrewing fails, and the head can be got to with pincers, catspaws or such, that might be worth a try. But some countersunk types might not have enough of the head protruding to get a grip on.
Completely removing the head with angle grinder is probably the simplest way of getting them to let go.

Jordan

[JohnQ]

I've removed them by using a pair of wire cutters (Stanley may work) that are sharp. Cut the head of the anchor top to bottom either side of the nail, remove this nylon. Then do the same left to right. Cut nylon from around the shaft if needed & you should be able to get a claw hammer, pliers or pincers onto the nail head & remove it.:U

JohnQ

[eskimo]

Nylon anchor?? Just pull the nail out

claw hammer, pinch bar etc etc does the job