Screws For Outdoor Use?

[Rodge2]

I am trying to fit a new downpipe on the outside of the house. Haven't done it before, I'm female and didn't get much of this type of stuff at school. I'm not sure which screws are best to use for the clips. Would stainless steel be the ones? I read that they can be quite soft and you easily chew the heads. Homebase only seem to have those or zinc coated ones. Any advice really appreciated.

[Old_Geezer]

I'd just get some zinc coated ones of the desired size and head type. I suspect you're overthinking the issue.

[bhg481]

Zinc coated are fine for outdoor use; I use them all the time.

[TonyV]

zinc coated will be fine, you fixing into brick?

[KARL]

Assuming you really want this to last then if it were my decision there would be two requirements: The screws should be stainless steel and they should have what is called a Torx head. You may be aware that the type of screwdriver you need depends on the recess system imprinted on the screw - Philips is one you will very likely have heard of. Torx is a system/pattern which is almost impossible to damage whereas it frequently happens that the Philips/Pozi/slot types are ruined and you either cannot easily complete screwing them in or later undoing them. In fact, whenever I have something needing undone and I see either of the first mentioned, my heart sinks a little. I recall only one example of having ruined a Torx headed screw and that was not at the head but because the brass shank simply twisted apart. Hexagonal/allen slot heads are the next best thing to Torx.

The bad news is that, unlike in many countries, Torx screws are very difficult to get in the UK. My suggestion would be to search on eBay using "stainless Torx" as the target.

[johnk]

I prefer stainless, if you screw them in carefully you won't damage the head

[Rodge2]

Yes, it is brick, Tony. Thanks so much for all your answers. I'm not 100% confident doing it so that's really helped me.

[TonyV]

Rodge2 you will need to put rawplugs in then to let screws grip, you will need a hammer drill and masonry bit to drill into wall then.

[Rodge2]

Thanks Tony. I've got some brown wallplugs, and two masonry drill bits - a size 5 and a size 6. Just got to get the screws. I thought they should be about 1.75 inches long? Not sure about the guage.

[The Builder]

Rodge2.... I have to agree with using zinc-plated screws. I rarely use anything else.
After a few years they may well discolour, but it's not a great problem.

I would suggest that you don't try to stuff a brown (7mm) Rawlplug into a 5mm hole. The plug would probably scrunch up.

Everyone has their preferences, but mine is for red plugs for just about everything... with a 6mm masonry drill.
Then, 8-gauge screws. Minimum 40mm length, Max 50mm for downpipe brackets.
For you, I would say try the 40mm first. If it doesn't hold, then go for the 50mm.
You may find that 50mm might bite when only halfway in, then you may mash up the head trying to take it out.

Use the brown plugs by all means, but you might need a 7mm bit for the hole.