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Posted by Red Green on April 2, 2008, 10:27 pm
> Red Green wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>>Red Green wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Damn plumbing. Never did fancy it.
>>>>
>>>>Replacing 3 handle faucet setup in a shower. Actually got a specific
>>>>kit made aware of in this NG.. All new handles, flanges, stems,
>>>>seats, the works for $35 called a remodel kit. Got stems and seats
>>>>out of both hot and cold OK. The diverter won't budge. Got pretty
>>>>good wrench on it. Did some muscle, some tapping (praying sweat
>>>>joints behind wall don't give), soaked with product like Liquid
>>>>Wrench for several hrs. NG.
>>>>
>>>>Only thing I can think of now is heating it. keeping in mind to open
>>>>the valve so that the seat washer doesn't melt down into the supply
>>>>pipe and that there's a plastic washer on the diverter.
>>>>
>>>>Stem is long which limits some options.
>>>>
>>>>I scribbled a blue arrow on this pic. That's where I'm thinking of
>>>>heating it.
>>>>
>>>> http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=r0t4aw&s=3
>>>>
>>>>Looking close, it looks like there's some goop where the stem base
>>>>meets the wall pipe where it should separate. If it's the same goop
>>>>that looks like is in the bonnet, that's soft goop. The bonnet does
>>>>come off easily.
>>>>
>>>>Ideas & Suggestions?
>>>
>>>
>>>You're planning to heat that with an open flame, as in "torch"?
>>>Uh Uh.
>>>
>>>I sure wouldn't try it.
>>>
>>>If it is 100% essential that the diverter stem come out,
>>>put the longest wrench you can find on the thing and pray.
>>>
>>>Worst that can happen then is that you'll have to open the
>>>wall to replace it.
>>>\
>>>Jim
>>>
>>
>>
>> Well Jim, plumbing is really not in my skill base. I get by fixing
>> common crap like toilets and sinks, can sweat, done some PVC Sched 40
>> pipe setup/welding, etc.
>>
>> With these limitations yea, that's why I'm asking here BEFOREHAND.
>> It's not like I'm gonna be putting an oxyacetylene torch to it. I'm
>> just thinking propane to heat it, wrench and some tapping. Not
>> planning on getting it cherry red, warp brass, melt sweat joints
>> inside! Just some heat to try and free up whatever is causing it to
>> be frozen. What do you think a plumber would do then? Maybe the
>> answer is warn the customer it's frozen and could require wall
>> opening if things snap.
>>
>> I'm curious to see any other replies.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Red...
>>
>
>
> I wasn't being critical of your skills.
> Just a cautionary.
>
> I *like* using heat, just as you describe.
> But I'm fearful of directing a flame into a
> wall cavity.
>
> If I _had_ to use flame here, I would open the
> wall enough that I could bend a suitable metal
> sheet around the valve body as a heat shield.
> I would also use a household sprayer to mist
> the cavity with water.
>
> Still think I would use the big wrench first though <G>.
>
> Jim
>
> I wasn't being critical of your skills
I was!
Weather it burns or breaks the wall will end up open:-) At least if it
breaks I can shut the water off. If it burns, then I'll probably wanna
break it fast. That skill I have.
Thanks again.
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