2008-02-19

Bonus chore - bathroom repipe?

I leaned on the tub spigot and it broke off, revealing a completely rotten pipe underneath. I think that the previous owner may have actually glued it to the bathroom tile with caulk. Fortunately, my diverter valve is in the wall, not attached to the tub spigot.

So this rotted pipe is just sticking out of the wall, but I don't know if I can even unthread it from the elbow where it attaches because it's so corroded. This is definitely a bonus chore. But it could grow since the advanced state of decay suggests that I need to replace all my original 1954 galvanized plumbing sooner rather than later.

4 comments:

  1. Oh god, hope you get your bathroom sorted soon!

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  2. Brent,

    I saw your tale of the broken pipe. When I'm not busy publishing Rare Earth News and tracking down rare native plants, I'm also a plumber. If you still need help, let me know.

    rexfrankel@yahoo.com

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  3. Who could predict that I'd link to Rare Earth News and get an offer of plumbing assistance? :-)

    Thanks Rex. I'll be contacting you for some advice.

    "Brent,

    I saw your tale of the broken pipe. When I'm not busy publishing Rare Earth News and tracking down rare native plants, I'm also a plumber. If you still need help, let me know.

    rexfrankel@.."

    ReplyDelete
  4. Brent:

    What you need is an "easy out", a left handed thread insert with a square end for gripping with a wrench. You thread it into the pipe end and then rotate counterclockwise. If you were to use a torch, the heat is applied to the brass valve assembly for around 15 to 30 seconds, NOT the pipe, since you don't want it to expand. But it looks like there is no way to get to that.. unless you have a hatch on the other side. This also may be difficult as the easy out may bottom out. also, using a pipe wrench on the stub may break it off behind the tile. So I'd definitely recommend an easyout that fits snug inside a 1/2 inch pipe. I have one. If you need advice, call me at 310-738-0861.

    Rex

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