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kbcb1080 · Jan 21, 2008, 05:18 PM

Hi-

My husband and I are first time homeowners and we are trying to replace the sink that is about 30 years old in our powder room. The snag that we have run into is that, the washers on water lines are not able to be loosened with using a wrench. In fact with increased pressure the pipe that leads to the water line starts to bend. I was wondering if someone could help me with suggestions for a different tool to use, or possible solutions that could make the washer loosen without stripping the washers completely or bending the pipe that leads to the water line.

KISS · Jan 21, 2008, 05:46 PM

I think you mean nuts - things that usually have 6 flats.
Washers are circular with a hole in the center.

Snap a picture. Post it using "Go advanced."

All fittings should be loosened and tightened with two wrenches.

You MAY have to replace the "angle stop". That's the valve with a outgoing pipe at 90 deg. From the incoming one angle if it's that old.

ballengerb1 · Jan 21, 2008, 07:22 PM

Sorry but I did have to chuckle, those nuts may even be on a flexible supply line if they run up from the stop to the sink. In any case you need two wrenches like KISS says. One hold the item to be unscrewed and the other holds what it is screwed into.

cgregory67 · Jan 21, 2008, 10:02 PM

Make sure your water is off, and cut the lines above the shut-off valves. They are probably plastic or rubber hose. Some may be copper but you will replace these no matter what type for only a few dollars.

After you cut them disconnect drain pipes and rip the sink top off by hammering on edge upward, this is only glued on. Now you can see inside the cabinet, there might be screws or nails securing it to the walls. Remove entire cabinet now and then wrestle with the line nuts while everything open and out of the way. Use two wrenches; one to loosen, and one to hold pipe still as suggested above.

Good luck and bravo for doing it yourselves!

glavine · Jan 22, 2008, 08:30 PM

Id try some wd40 and see if that will loosen them up. With 30yrs it may be rusted a little inside there. You do need to be careful about twisting a lot , it could crack the pipe. If that doesn't work id cut the water off from the house not just the sink, but the whole house, then take a pipe cutter and cut the supply lines off if there is room to do so. Then buy some new pressure fitting (on/off valves) attach those and buy some new supply line for a couple bucks