Surprising Uses for Drywall Screws

A side profile of a drill inserting a drywall screw into a piece of drywall.

Drywall screws are specifically designed to attach wall boards to frames. However, certain elements of their design, such as a flat head and full thread, make them great for other purposes around the shop. Whether you use them as a tool to break material or as spacers between boards, here are some surprising uses for drywall screws.

Drying Rack

You can create a paint station with a scrap piece of wood and some drywall screws. Screw both sides of the board into a wall and use the top surface to rest painted objects, such as cabinet doors. You can also insert screws half-way into the board for hanging smaller objects with a piece of string.

Scribe

The fine point of a drywall screw is a great substitute for a scribe. If your combo square is missing a scribe or you simply don’t have one in the shop, you can use the end of the screw to mark a variety of surfaces. When the point gets dull, just replace it with a new screw.

Cleaner

When working with pipe threads, it’s always a good idea to clean the old fittings. The point of a drywall screw is great for this purpose and will help dig out old compound before installing a new connection.

Stopper

A caulking gun on the floor with some caulk spilling out on the floor.

Drywall screws are a great last-minute fix for stopping glue or caulk at the end of a gun. Simply screw one of them into the nozzle and it will effectively block leakage. When you need to use the glue or caulk again, just unscrew the top and you’re good to go.

Punch

Gently tapping a drywall screw with a hammer turns it into a good alternative punch. A punch is a useful tool in a variety of projects and helps get bits started on hard surfaces, such as ceramic tiles.

Squeak Stopper

It doesn’t take long for a creaking floor to get annoying. To stop unwanted squeaks, find out the location of the joist around the noisy area. Then drill a 2-inch drywall screw directly into the carpet, leaving a quarter of the screw exposed. Take a hammer and snap off the head, ensuring that the rest of the screw is safely beneath the carpet.

Spacer

Drywall screws can be used as spacers between wooden boards. The large, flat heads of the screw will help it stay in place while the body of the screw will ensure equal spacing across the project. Just remember to remove the screws once the boards are secured into place.

Pilot

A screw in a piece of lumber with sawdust spilling out.

A pilot hole is a useful trick to prevent splitting in wood. If you don’t have a pilot hole bit, a drywall screw will get the job done just as well. Just make sure the screw you are using for the project is larger than the drywall screw. This is particularly useful for eye screws, lag bolts, and hooks.

Snake

The threads on a drywall screw are great for unclogging sinks. Simply attach a string to the screw and pull it through a clogged sink. The tooth-like threads will snag any unwanted material, including hair and food particles.

Measuring Tool

You can screw two drywall screws into a board and use it like a trammel. Space the screws according to the size of the radius you need and the tool will engrave a perfect circle into a surface. Whenever you need a bigger or smaller circle, simply remove the screws and space accordingly.