Nut won't come off pipe after removing shutoff valve

[asenk]

Hi,
I'm about to install a new toilet, and I wanted to replace the shutoff valve because its one of those old ones where the tube is part of the shutoff valve.

I removed the valve, but the nut wont come off the pipe. What should I do? Should I just reuse the nut? It seems to be the same size as the 1/4 turn shutoff valve I bought.

After pushing the nut as far as baCk as I could, it seems the copper ring is preventing it from coming off.

Please help im w/o water =(

 

[Cacher_Chick]

That is a compression fitting, and the ferrule is holding the nut on the pipe. There is a ferrule puller (tool) made specifically for removing this, but you might have trouble finding one at the big box stores.

If the old nut fits the new valve, you should be able to re-use it.

 

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[SacCity]

I agree you should be able to reuse the nut and ferrel.
As long as the the treads match and there are no leaks you should be fine.
I spent about $30 for my puller, works well, but I often wonder if its worth the effort.

 

[asenk]

Thanks. THat is what I tried and so far no leaks! Hopefully it stays that way.

 

[asenk]

Spoke too soon. There is a VERY slight leakage. Nothing dripping or anything. The nut will be wet around the bottom after a few hours. I would say less than a tear drop of water. I dont know if maybe i can try to tighten it more or something else?

Is there a change the ferrule puller will damage the pipe so the new valve won't hold correctly?

 

[Cacher_Chick]

First, it has to be TIGHT.

Terry says the ferrule puller works great. I have not used one myself.

 

[LLigetfa]

First off, are you sure it isn't just sweating? Wipe it dry and check again later without using any water. I'd try a little pipe dope on it if it still leaks.

The more you tighten it, the harder it will be to take off if you do have to change it out. It's too bad they cut the stub so short that there's no room to cut it off.

 

[Will Rogers Plumbing]

On the older compression stops the ferrule sat further back on the piping then they do on the newer stops. Cut a 1/4" off the end of the copper pipe with a mini hack saw and apply a small amount of pipe dope to the ferule(some people claim that is not needed, but read the instructions on the stop. It says to apply a small amount of oil or lubricant when installing(pipe dope).

PS over tightening a compression fitting will not help, it will make it worse and you will have to open up the wall and stub out with new piping if you over tighten the ferrule.

 

[Jimbo]

It is possible to overtighten the nut , but if you feel you did not overly torque it, then at this point I would try an additional 1/4 turn on the nut..no more..to see if it would stop the drip. The ferrule puller is still the other option

 

[Terry]

I removed a stop the other day with a lot of goo on it. It had been overtightened, reducing the size of the pipe. Normally you can just slide off the nut and sleeve. If someone has gooed it up and overtightened the nut, then cutting some off the pipe may be needed.

 

[Jimbo]

cacher...I have had that puller ( mine is not red!) for about 20 years, and it is worth its weight in gold! That and my insinkerator snap-ring installer tool.

 

[Ian Gills]

This is why I use screw-on valves and nipples.

 

[asenk]

LLigetfa: Sweating?

I wrapped a tissue around the nut and left it over night; it is a little bit damp.

I m pretty sure i did not over tighten with the new valve on. I dont have two wrenches that so i basically used one hand and one wrench to tighten it. So maybe

Someone else told me to try use thread seal tape around the ferrule. Will that work besides pipe dope?

How can I tell if the previous person overtightened? Would I stick my finger into the pipe and feel if there's some kind of bend?

 

[LLigetfa]

Sweating - when warm humid air contacts a cold surface. You know, like a cold beer.

Don't use teflon tape in place of dope. If it creaks when you're tightening it, you've gone too far.

If it was overtightened, the compression ring gets swaged onto the pipe and won't come off.

 

[Jadnashua]

Without two wrenches, you may not be getting it properly tight. In any case, with one, you're putting a lot more stress on things than you should.

 

[LLigetfa]

Wrenches? Real plumbers, don't need no stinkin' wrenches. The ones I see on TV use water pump pliers.

 

[Cwhyu2]

Wrenches? Real plumbers, don't need no stinkin' wrenches. The ones I see on TV use water pump pliers.

Oh channel lock pliers,they work good on trap nuts.

 

[Jadnashua]

Ideally, two wrenches, but a pair of pliers will work, too. Easier to scratch things, though. Anyway, you really need to hold the body of the valve while trying to turn the nut.

 

[Will Rogers Plumbing]

Ridgid's One Stop Wrench is the easiest way to install compression valves.

 

[Terry]

Teflon Tape?
It had to be a plumber wannabe at one of the big box stores.

Absolutely no Tape! How many times do we need to say that here?

Here is a new product I just bought. It works very quickly and works in those tight spots where it's hard to turn the bar.