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arleta · Feb 24, 2006, 01:38 PM

I am replacing a bathtub in my home. The water spout just keeps spinning on the pipe nipple. I was going to replace the pipe nipple but it looks like both ends have major corrosion going on. I cannot unscrew the nipple from the tee fitting. Any suggestions on loosening these parts so I can disconnect and put on a new nipple? How can I get rid of the corrosion?

labman · Feb 24, 2006, 03:11 PM

Spray some sort of lubricant on it, anything you may have. Not sure anything is much better than the rest. If you have buy something, make it a silicone. They are less likely to gum up anything else you use it on later than WD-40. Then pound on it with a hammer. You don't want to bend it up or damage the valve assembly. Try to turn it with the largest wrench you have. Spray, hammer, and try to turn. With a little luck, eventually it will turn. Keep adding more lube. If it still is coming very slowly try working it back in forth adding more lube.

speedball1 · Feb 24, 2006, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by arleta

I am replacing a bathtub in my home. The water spout just keeps spinning on the pipe nipple. I was going to replace the pipe nipple but it looks like both ends have major corrosion going on. I cannot unscrew the nipple from the tee fitting. Any suggestions on loosening these parts so I can disconnect and put on a new nipple? How can I get rid of the corrosion?

Hi Arleta,
If the threads break off inside a fitting or the pipe's too short to get a wrench on they make a 1/2" "Easy-Out" Most plumbing shops have them around somewhere. They're not much used these days but when I broke in plumbing we carried a set it Easy-Outs up to 1 1/2" on our trucks. Good luck, Tom

arleta · Feb 24, 2006, 08:29 PM

Thanks for your help. It would not budge. I ended up having to cut it off and pretty much replace everything. Oh well, at least I know that it is new. I have been reading about how to sweat/soldier the old copper pipe onto a 90 degree to attach the 5" nipple to. Any suggestions that might make the job a little easier or to make sure I won't mess it up. I have never really dealt with copper before unless I was adding a valve and it used a ferrule.
Thanks.

speedball1 · Feb 25, 2006, 06:14 AM

Hi Arleta,
You ask,"Any suggestions that might make the job a little easier or to make sure I won't mess it up. I have never really dealt with copper before unless I was adding a valve and it used a ferrule."
Jaco Company might just have something to assist you with soldering copper pipes that doesn't include a torch. Click on; http://www.justforcopper.com/
And check it out. Good luck, Tom

labman · Feb 25, 2006, 11:12 AM

In my DIY projects, I have had mixed luck with soldering copper. I have had the worst luck with hard to get at old stuff. I would be very tempted to try the stuff Tom said. It is hard to go wrong listening to Tom. Another plus for me is that Ace Hardware carries it. Had great luck shopping there. May try it myself.

Follow the directions on the package exactly. I would be surprised if it is any more tolerant of wet or corroded surfaces than soldering.