The shut off valve to my toilet is leaking.
I determined the problem was in the valve, or perhaps the seal between the valve and the copper pipe. I purchased a new shut-off valve. Upon removing the old one, I can not seem to get the old compression washer off. It is hard to get to with not much of the copper pipe sticking out of the wall which keeps the old compression washer covered by the nut/sleeve.
So that I can turn the water back on for the rest of the house, I put the new valve on using the old compression washer and nut/sleeve. Naturally it leaks worse than before.
Is there a trick to getting the old compression washer off? I am worried if I am too aggressive I may damage the copper pipe.
Could I try using plumber's putty and the old compression washer and nut/sleeve? No where have I seen the suggestion to use plumber's putty.
Thanks in advance.

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Originally Posted by wyonews

The shut off valve to my toilet is leaking.
I determined the problem was in the valve, or perhaps the seal between the valve and the copper pipe. I purchased a new shut-off valve. Upon removing the old one, I can not seem to get the old compression washer off. It is hard to get to with not much of the copper pipe sticking out of the wall which keeps the old compression washer covered by the nut/sleeve.
So that I can turn the water back on for the rest of the house, I put the new valve on using the old compression washer and nut/sleeve. Naturally it leaks worse than before.
Is there a trick to getting the old compression washer off? I am worried if I am too aggressive I may damage the copper pipe.
Could I try using plumber's putty and the old compression washer and nut/sleeve? No where have I seen the suggestion to use plumber's putty.
Thanks in advance.

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I always use the old ferrule and compression nut when I can. However, if that's not possible they make a combination handle and ferrule puller, (see image) That can be picked up at any plumbing supply house. Good luck, Tom

Thanks Tom, for the quick response.
I actually did use the existing ferrule (is that the nut?) and compression washer with the new valve, and it is still leaking.
Do I really need to crank down on this? How about using plumber's putty?
Or, buy the tool you recommended and remove the old compression washer so that everything is new?
Thanks,
Ron

You never use plumber's putty, use the puller Tom has posted remove the old nut and the ring together, use the knew nut and the compression ring that comes with new valve, good luck.

John

The leaking that WYONEWS is having could be from the newer threads being different than the old threads on the compression nut. I'm having to remove the old nut & sleeve also so I can install the new angle valve under our bathroom sink.

Take large channel locks, grab the nut and jiggle with it with full force pulling towards you. It will go, bit by bit, and eventually the nut will pull the compression sleeve out. Or go to Home Depot, purchase Ferrule Nut Removal Tool and remove it that way.

Hi all:

Here is what that handle puller/compression sleeve and nut removal tool looks like 58tripower... see picture below.