How To Remove A Galvanized Pipe Fitting

Galvanized piping has been used for water supply lines in the past and is mostly found in older homes. In time, galvanized piping corrodes. This corrosion reduces the amount of water that flows through the pipe and makes breaking a connection between a threaded galvanized pipe and a galvanized fitting difficult. Since galvanized pipe is threaded, you need to turn the pipe from the fitting and then turn the fitting to remove it from rest of the galvanized plumbing. To loosen a corroded galvanized fitting, you will need a little help from a loosening agent.

Before you try to loosen any pieces, look for a union fitting near the fitting you want to remove. A union allows you to disassemble the piping without having to cut the pipe. If there is no union, you'll probably have to cut the nearest section of pipe to remove the fitting.

1. Shut Off the Water

Turn off the water that flows through the section of pipe you'll be working on. This applies to water supply pipe only — not to drain pipe.

2. Apply Penetrating Oil

Spray penetrating oil on the area where the threaded galvanized pipe enters into the galvanized fitting you need to remove.

3. Loosen the Pipe Union Nearest the Target Fitting

Locate the union on the galvanized pipe that is closest to the galvanized fitting you need to remove. Place one pipe wrench on the union's locknut and the other pipe wrench on the union's retaining nut. Loosen the union by turning the pipe wrench on the retaining nut counterclockwise while you hold the locknut in place with the other pipe wrench. If there is no union close to the fitting you need to remove, proceed to Step 3. Otherwise skip to Step 4.

4. Cut the Pipe Entering the Fitting

Put on your safety glasses, then use a reciprocating saw to cut the piece of galvanized pipe entering the fitting to be removed.

5. Hold the Fitting in Place

Hold the galvanized fitting in place with one of the pipe wrenches and place the other pipe wrench on the loose piece of galvanized pipe entering into the fitting.

6. Turn the Pipe Wrench to Remove the Pipe

Turn the pipe wrench on the loose piece of galvanized pipe counterclockwise to remove the pipe from the galvanized fitting. If the pipe does not turn, slide the 2-foot-long piece of 1 1/2-inch pipe over the handle of the pipe wrench to add leverage to the wrench.

7. Remove the Pipe From the Other Side

Move the pipe wrench that was on the loose piece of galvanized pipe onto the pipe on the other side of the fitting that you need to remove; then turn the pipe wrench remaining on the galvanized fitting counterclockwise to remove the pipe fitting. Use the 1 1/2-inch pipe, as described in Step 5, to help you remove the galvanized fitting if you cannot turn the fitting with just the pipe wrench.