I'm in the middle of a bathroom reno and am rerouting the water line for the toilet, but am having a heck of a time getting this one galvanized nipple off. It's about a 2 inch nipple (male threads on each side) and I've already bought the parts to convert to PEX using a male threaded converter. Any suggestions on how to get the galvanized nipple off?

I don't remember seeing a female threaded converter to PEX at the Home Depot that I shopped at. Do they exist and should I just forget about trying to get the nipple unstuck and just trade in the male converter for a female threaded converter?

Thanks,
Sean

Bigger wrench you use, the better leverage you will have. Put wrench as close to the wall as possible. Apply pressure. Pressure should follow the axis of the nipple. Don't pull away from the nipple or you will break it. Always push downwards not upwards.

But if you want to convert your galvanized nipple from Male end to Female end than buy a brass coupling, put teflon tape on threaded end of your galvanized nipple and install the coupling. Then, install your PEX male converter fitting into brass coupling - and you are all set to proceed with PEX installation.

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Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Bigger wrench you use, the better leverage you will have. Put wrench as close to the wall as possible. Apply pressure. Pressure should follow the axis of the nipple. Don't pull away from the nipple or you will break it. Always push downwards not upwards.

But if you want to convert your galvanized nipple from Male end to Female end than buy a brass coupling, put teflon tape on threaded end of your galvanized nipple and install the coupling. Then, install your PEX male convertor fitting into brass coupling - and you are all set to proceed with PEX installation.

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Thanks Milo,
I don't know why I didn't think of just getting a coupler. I think that will be the easiest solution. I've already tried using the largest wrench that I could fit between the joists where the pipes are with no luck. Using a coupler will make things much easier and shouldn't cost more than $1-2.

Thanks,
Sean