Plumbers, how do I remove a copper fitting from a copper pipe without damage?

Hello TBT.FSU91.

Actually, there is a plumbers trick to this.

You need to use 2 wrenches at the same time. One wrench goes on the fitting you are trying to remove, and the other will be placed on the threaded male end soldered to the copper pipe.

You turn the first wrench while at the same time countering its torque by applying pressure to the other wrench in the opposite direction. Keep in mind you are just using that second wrench to offset the turning effort of the first.

This applies all the force at only the 2 fittings, and keeps the pipes below from taking any strain.

I hope this helps,

homedepotnewf.

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The teflon tape is a good sign, it means that they didn't use something that is also exerting a chemical bond on the copper. You need both of your wrenches to have equally strong grips on the material you are trying to separate. A vise grips is not going to be as strong as a pipe wrench if the pipe wrench has good purchase on the metal it's gripping. Pipe wrenches are also a little too destructive for copper, they were made for lead and galvanized iron pipes with thicker walls.

Your description is a little short of what we need to give you an exact answer, and if you used the pipe wrench or vice grips on the nut shaped flange of the copper fitting, it may not be possible to use an open ended box wrench or a crescent wrench on the flange anyway.

So do what you can with what you have to get the tightest grip on each component you can get, and slide a piece of pipe over the handles of each wrench if you need more leverage, and turn them in opposing directions. Both wrenches should be turning left to loosen. Look at the handle between you and the joint you are trying to loosen. That one goes left, and the other wrench goes in the opposite direction from that same vantage point.

If you cannot break the threads apart, consider heating the threads with a propane torch. Stay away from the solder joint, as this will also melt the solder if you get too close. Your vice grips can act as a heat sink if you clamp it on the pipe fitting between the solder joint and the threads.

If all else fails, torch the solder joint to get the thing apart and then resweat the joint after a thorough cleaning with wire brush and sand paper. Don't forget to use flax before you fit the joint back together, and heat until it crackles and then just touch the solder to the joint and let it suck in the solder. Don't keep heating it after you apply the solder, that's why joints fail.

Plumbers Grips

try applying some heat to the fitting being careful not to loosen any surrounding joints.This will cause the coper to expand and it should come right off with a little force on the wrench

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read and digest the first three answers,,,,,,, they ALL, GIVE GOOD ADVICE.