How to Remove Stuck Plumbing Fixtures
Working on the household plumbing can come to a sudden halt when certain fixtures just won’t budge. Since damaging the fixture will only make things worse, care must be taken when removing the section. Fortunately, there are several ways to help loosen those stuck fixtures and get the plumbing up and running once more.
Items Needed:
- Wrench
- Blow dryer
- Penetrating Lubricant
- Shut off the water supply. Before attempting to loosen the fixture, make sure the water supply is not flowing through that portion of the system. Cutoff valves may be present at various points along the plumbing, or it may be necessary to cut off the main water value coming into the home. If in doubt, check with a plumber or the water company before proceeding.
- Identify the type of material used for the fixtures. Fixtures may be made from stainless steel, copper or even some form of plastic. Knowing what type of materials you are dealing with will help figure out how to go about loosening the fixture and being able to proceed with the repairs.
- Determine which methods are safe for attempting to loosen the stuck fixture. For metal fixtures, heat along the joint can often make it easier to turn the stuck fixture with a wrench. A few moments of direct air flow from a blow dryer set on high can cause the metal to expand just enough to loosen the seal.
- Add some penetrating lubricant to the mix. If the heat is not enough to loosen the fixture, spray a liberal amount of lubricant on the area and allow it to set for a few minutes. This is often helpful if the fixtures have been in place for a number of years without being disturbed, since the product will cut through the minute traces of dirt that may be strengthening the hold.
- Turn the fixture slowly with the wrench. Place the wrench in position and make sure it is adjusted so the fit on the joint is secure, but not tight enough to damage the material. Begin by turning the fixture by an inch or so, wiggling the fixture slightly once it is in the new position. Continue until the hold is broken and the fixture can turn with relatively little effort.
- Slide the loosened fixture out of position. Once both ends of the fixture have been disconnected from the rest of the plumbing system, gently life the section and set to one side. This will make it easy to begin moving the replacement section into position and completing the task of repairing the plumbing.