removing faucets

[bohman]

The fittings that my clothes washer hooks into are badly corroded and leaking. I bought replacements and will be putting them on either tonight or tomorrow night. That should be the easy part - some silicone tape and a pipe wrench and it should be set.

The hard part will be getting the old ones off. They are corroded, and they've been there a long time. Maybe I should spray some WD40 on the threads to soak for a while first? Anybody have more (or better) advice?

I loathe plumbing, it's my least favorite type of household repair. Any advice to make this easier is appreciated.

 

[Lugnut]

The fittings that my clothes washer hooks into are badly corroded and leaking. I bought replacements and will be putting them on either tonight or tomorrow night. That should be the easy part - some silicone tape and a pipe wrench and it should be set.

The hard part will be getting the old ones off. They are corroded, and they've been there a long time. Maybe I should spray some WD40 on the threads to soak for a while first? Anybody have more (or better) advice?

I loathe plumbing, it's my least favorite type of household repair. Any advice to make this easier is appreciated.

You can try WD-40.

I have in the past had to hit the fitting with a propane torch for a second then grab it with a wrench.

 

[PJumper]

You can try WD-40.

I have in the past had to hit the fitting with a propane torch for a second then grab it with a wrench.

If the WD-40 doesn't work, use Oil of Wintergreen. Most pharmacy carries it and I know it sounds odd to use something from the pharmacy for plumbing, but believe me it works.

 

[Homer J]

If the WD-40 doesn't work, use Oil of Wintergreen. Most pharmacy carries it and I know it sounds odd to use something from the pharmacy for plumbing, but believe me it works.

Makes them smell minty fresh too.

 

[smoothmarine187]

You can try WD-40.

I have in the past had to hit the fitting with a propane torch for a second then grab it with a wrench.

 

[GWguy]

You can try WD-40.

I have in the past had to hit the fitting with a propane torch for a second then grab it with a wrench.

But be careful not to get the pipe too hot.... you can loosen the sweated fitting and have a REAL issue... **trust me**

Oh, and turn off the water first. Again, **trust me**.

 

[bohman]

But be careful not to get the pipe too hot.... you can loosen the sweated fitting and have a REAL issue... **trust me**

Oh, and turn off the water first. Again, **trust me**.

I'll be doing whatever I can to avoid the application of fire to my plumbing. Plumbing jobs tend to be messy anyway; I don't want to have to break out my fire extinguisher too.

btw, if anyone is doing the math from original post, you'll see that I have procrastinated. Did I mention that I'd rather do just about any household repair other than plumbing? Aha, I see that I did. I'll try to work up the will power to tackle it tonight and you all can read my follow-up #####ing tomorrow.

 

[desertrat]

I'll be doing whatever I can to avoid the application of fire to my plumbing. Plumbing jobs tend to be messy anyway; I don't want to have to break out my fire extinguisher too.

btw, if anyone is doing the math from original post, you'll see that I have procrastinated. Did I mention that I'd rather do just about any household repair other than plumbing? Aha, I see that I did. I'll try to work up the will power to tackle it tonight and you all can read my follow-up #####ing tomorrow.

Back in the day in AZ the water was so crappy every time I went to do any plumbing the pipes would break off. That was before PVC became widely used. Don't break my heart.

 

[bohman]

I finally quit procrastinating. It wasn't too terrible, though it did require a trip back to Lowes because I initially purchased the wrong type (female vs. male). The new faucets are installed and not leaking, and we are able to do laundry again.

Question: The old ones were properly installed, so that the outlet faces down to meet the hose from the washer. The new cold water faucet is also where it should be, but the hot water fitting ran out of thread when it was facing straight up. I backed off a 1/2 turn, but that resulted in a slow leak. So now, the hose has to go at a stupid angle to get to the faucet. It looks silly, and is probably putting pressure on the end of the hose which will eventually make it fail.

So how could I have avoided that?

 

[GWguy]

I finally quit procrastinating. It wasn't too terrible, though it did require a trip back to Lowes because I initially purchased the wrong type (female vs. male). The new faucets are installed and not leaking, and we are able to do laundry again.

Question: The old ones were properly installed, so that the outlet faces down to meet the hose from the washer. The new cold water faucet is also where it should be, but the hot water fitting ran out of thread when it was facing straight up. I backed off a 1/2 turn, but that resulted in a slow leak. So now, the hose has to go at a stupid angle to get to the faucet. It looks silly, and is probably putting pressure on the end of the hose which will eventually make it fail.

So how could I have avoided that?

By getting someone else to do it?? :shrug:

Kinda hard to see it my mind without a picture....

 

[bohman]

By getting someone else to do it?? :shrug:

Kinda hard to see it my mind without a picture....

Of course, if I had a little extra money I would never touch plumbing again.... It is a little bit awkward to describe, even though it's really simple. If I have time tonight maybe I'll post a pic.

 

[Ken King]

If the faucet is bottomed out against the pipe you could cut it down a little or if you ran out of threads you could rent a pipe threader and extend the threads. But if it is functioning and out of sight behind the appliance why worry, it ain't leaking, right?

 

[desertrat]

I finally quit procrastinating. It wasn't too terrible, though it did require a trip back to Lowes because I initially purchased the wrong type (female vs. male). The new faucets are installed and not leaking, and we are able to do laundry again.

Question: The old ones were properly installed, so that the outlet faces down to meet the hose from the washer. The new cold water faucet is also where it should be, but the hot water fitting ran out of thread when it was facing straight up. I backed off a 1/2 turn, but that resulted in a slow leak. So now, the hose has to go at a stupid angle to get to the faucet. It looks silly, and is probably putting pressure on the end of the hose which will eventually make it fail.

So how could I have avoided that?

Did you use thread joint compound? Perhaps you could get away with 1/2 less turn with that on or get another 1/2 turn out of it.