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Default How do you remove a hose bib that is frozen in place

I am trying to change a hose bib on outside of the house. The bib is
stuck and I cannot seem to free it up. When I turn it the pipe it is
connected to turns as well. I tried to hold the main pipe with a
plumber's wrench and pliers, but I cannot grip the pipe very well
because it is smooth and round. Should i use lock-tite or is there some
other chemical I can use to loosen the bib's connection from the pipe?

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I have changed others in my house, but not this one, so don't think it
is soldered. No others have been soldered. I think it is just tight
and old. Luckily it is right outsid of my garage, so the lead pipe is
not too difficult to access if there are signs of a leak. I have
drywall there, but it isn't finished.

Isn't there some type of chemical I can use to loosen the tension?

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Mark
 
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Why not just remove the pipe that is turning easily along with the hose bib?
Then the rest should be easier and if worse comes to worse saw a hole in the
sheetrock to access the pipe. probably an elbow in there.

Mark


wrote in message
ups.com...
I am trying to change a hose bib on outside of the house. The bib is
stuck and I cannot seem to free it up. When I turn it the pipe it is
connected to turns as well. I tried to hold the main pipe with a
plumber's wrench and pliers, but I cannot grip the pipe very well
because it is smooth and round. Should i use lock-tite or is there some
other chemical I can use to loosen the bib's connection from the pipe?



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SteveB
 
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wrote in message
ups.com...
I am trying to change a hose bib on outside of the house. The bib is
stuck and I cannot seem to free it up. When I turn it the pipe it is
connected to turns as well. I tried to hold the main pipe with a
plumber's wrench and pliers, but I cannot grip the pipe very well
because it is smooth and round. Should i use lock-tite or is there some
other chemical I can use to loosen the bib's connection from the pipe?


Got the same problem. My house has stucco. It has a copper feed, coming up
to a nut that holds on the hose bibb. I am first going to try getting
another set of "guts, and just taking that stem and seal out, and hope that
will fix it.

If'n that don't, the nut that holds it on there looks as corroded as one of
those Carlsbad Caverns formations, and I am not looking forward to attacking
it with a wrench. Plus, there is no space to put a backup so I don't twist
off the copper feed.

So, I am going to shut the water off ONE OF THESE DAYS, and take the guts
and see if I can find a match. Will probably have to buy the whole hose
bibb, but if it works, that will be a real deal. If that don't work, I will
just have to crack out the stucco enough to get a backup on there, and if
that don't work, I will have to crack out the stucco more enough to get in
there and cut it and put new copper.

Yikes. It's always something.

Let me know how yours works out so I know what NOT to do.

Steve ;-)


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William Brown
 
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I don't know what a plumber's wrench is; we have pipe wrenches and they
will grip a round smooth pipe.

I would start by applying penetrating oil. Let it soak in for hours,
reapplying a few times. Try inducing vibration to help the oil sink in
(tap the bib with a hammer). If that doesn't work, get a torch and heat
the pipe, not the bib, then let it cool. The idea is that the pipe will
expand with heat, then contract as it cools, which could loosen the
joint. If that doesn't work, heat the bib, but not the pipe. The idea
is that the heated bib will expand, the pipe won't, and that could
loosen the joint. Vibration may also help as you are heating. If that
doesn't work remove the bib and pipe (if the pipe has already turned, it
should be removable easily) and replace. This last might be the best
option, as if the pipe has already turned, you have a potential leak
which could do serious damage before it becomes apparent.

wrote:
I am trying to change a hose bib on outside of the house. The bib is
stuck and I cannot seem to free it up. When I turn it the pipe it is
connected to turns as well. I tried to hold the main pipe with a
plumber's wrench and pliers, but I cannot grip the pipe very well
because it is smooth and round. Should i use lock-tite or is there some
other chemical I can use to loosen the bib's connection from the pipe?

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