How to Remove Rusty Fittings

You've tried everything, but it seems that the rusty fittings on your steel water pipe are there to stay. If you follow these simple steps, though, you can break down and remove rust on old fittings, and take them out with ease.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spray lube
• Hammer
• Wrench

1. Apply several squirts of a spray lube of your choice to the joint. This helps to loosen the rust bonded to the fitting.

2. Allow the spray lube to soak into the fitting for 1 to 4 minutes. You may have to soak it for longer depending on the amount of rust. In some cases, soaking it overnight is beneficial.

3. Pound lightly on both sides of the head of the fitting with a hammer. Make sure you pound gently enough not to break the fitting but hard enough to remove the rust holding the fitting in place. Do this for between 1 and 10 minutes.

4. Use a wrench to turn the fitting and loosen it. Don't force the fitting too hard, but give it some elbow grease in order to remove it.

5. Repeat Steps 1 to 4 if the fitting doesn't respond to your efforts. The problem may be that you haven't pounded on the fitting long enough or hard enough, or that you haven't allowed ample time for the spray lube to penetrate the rust.

Tips & Warnings

• If the rusty fitting is still giving you a hard time, put a drop or two of ammonia on the fitting to loosen the bond.