How Do You Remove Stuck Plumbing Fixtures?
Home owners that are enthusiastic about a do-it-yourself plumbing project may find that enthusiasm waning when they come upon a stuck fixture that brings the project to a grinding halt. When this happens, use the techniques that the pros use to get that fixture off and move ahead with the job. Try first to tighten the nut(s) that are holding the fixture. This seems contrary to the task, but often getting any movement at all will allow the nut to then be backed out the other way and be removed. Use a center punch and hammer to jar it loose. Don’t just whack at the whole thing with the hammer, but instead align the center punch with the middle of one of the nut’s hexagonal sides and tap it to shake the nut free. Try heating the nut so that it expands, thus allowing you to loosen it. Use a cigar lighting torch or similar and try to heat just the nut and not the bolt. Have your wrench ready and loosen the nut while it is still hot, because it will cool and contract quickly. Apply liberal a
