Remove a Stripped Screw That's Flush With the Surface by Hammering In a Larger Bit

The Problem

A screw with a stripped head is hard enough to remove when you can still get a driver on it at an angle to pry. When the head is sitting flush with the surface — decking, trim, anything installed flat — there's no edge to grab and no leverage to work with.

The Technique

1. Identify the size of the stripped screw head (a T20 Torx in this case).
2. Take the next size up bit (a T25 for a stripped T20).
3. Set the larger bit's tip into the stripped recess and hammer it straight down into the screw head. The impact seats the bit and cuts fresh grooves into the softer, already-damaged recess.
4. Chuck the bit into a drill, set it to reverse, and back the screw out. With the larger bit now gripping cleanly, it comes out like a normal screw removal.