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Removing shower-head extension pipe

Nuke | Posted in General Discussion on July 1, 2005 03:40am

I’ve never removed the extension pipe that the shower head is attached to. Up until yesterday, I hadn’t even removed a shower head, but that is past me. I now need to remove the head and extension pipe for the existing setup in the master bath. I’ve special odered and received a Pegasus shower head that comes with an extension pipe for that designed head. This replacement pipe is 8″ and has a 90º bend vs. the 4″ 45º bent pipe already in place.

These pipes do not have any sort of ring for which a wrench can be used to break-loose or tighten. I presume the original installer just used some pipe sealant and palm-pressure to tighten into place. Ideas of suggestions, here?

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Replies

  1. calvin | Jul 01, 2005 04:56pm | #1

    You can twist by hand. 

    To take the old and gonna be un-reused one off, channel locks.

    Want to reuse it, channel locks and a rubber sleeve (something with some gription) to cushion the grip (no marks).

    Put some teflon tape on the new one and do the reverse by hand and the final tune up with the well cushioned channel locks.

    Don't mar the new one, the homowner (you) won't be happy.

    Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

    Quittin' Time

    1. User avater
      Nuke | Jul 01, 2005 05:55pm | #2

      I think I have what constitutes a channel-lock (adjustable pliers). I think the serrated teeth on them will ultimately bite into the chrome plating and down onto the brass. I tried to use a Baby-Boa, but the smoothness of the pipe simply laughed at my attempts.

      I pulled back the decorative pipe-ring that sits flush against the tile wall and I can see marks in the chrome from when someone installed the pipe. I tried by-hand but its really on there and I cannot get enought hand-leverage on it.

      Maybe it just needs to be the sacrificial lamb and deemed throw-away.

      1. calvin | Jul 01, 2005 09:12pm | #6

        Good deal on the replacement.  I mentioned a cushion for the channel locks, never meaning a boa, feathered I suppose.  But the end result looks good.

        way to go.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        Quittin' Time

  2. piko | Jul 01, 2005 06:02pm | #3

    If the pipe has never been removed before, squirt some WD40 in well in advance. I've known them to set solid with the salts from the water, or be corroded and you can do one or two nasties - the extension will break off at the wingback (the 90 o connection) or the wingback itself break from its blocking. Either way yo will have to open up the wall to fix. So-o-o, CAREFULLY with slipjoint grips, etc.

    cheers

    ***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***

    1. User avater
      Nuke | Jul 01, 2005 06:35pm | #4

      I got it off. Dang thing was really on there. Even with pliers in hand and willingness to trash it the thing was on their tight, and I think I know why ...

      When I went to thread in the new extension pipe it tightned up way too early and was 1/2 to 2/3 out of alignment. I backed out (unscrewed) until the new pipe was free and kep going another 1/2 turn and started in again. This time she aligned up with a little bit of coaching. Because its a 8" pipe with a 90º ben in it I stuck one of the plier's handle into it and tightened it, but not too tight.

      I installed the shower hed onto it and hand-tightened it down. Turned her own, tightened the head a little more and running her now with hot water. So far, no visible sign of water coming from where its not suppose to. Hey, this wasn't so bad!

      1. piko | Jul 01, 2005 07:23pm | #5

        Good going, therecheers

        ***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***

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