Loosening Seized Pipe Threads with a Cold Chisel

In this video, I demonstrate how to remove a stuck pipe from a fitting using a saw and cold chisel. This is typically a last-resort method when other methods like heating the fitting or penetrating oil don't work.
Thread sealant recommended for worn or damaged pipe threads:
www.supplyhouse.com/Hercules-...

[@robranz]

Thank you so much. Literally just saved me $625. That's the quote I had to remove a pipe. Did your method this evening and popped right out😮

[@DragonBuilds]

Glad my video was useful and happy plumbing!

[@ricwayneoutdoors]

I just fixed my water heater drain valve with this method thanks to your video!! Saved me a lot of money

[@LosVRC]

Nice. I live on a ranch in Mexico with a bunch of old galvanized pipe that need to reuse,but threads are all broken......i happen to have a sawsall.! Thank you for this tip

[@randymarchinke7995]

In my situation, the pipe nipple was so badly rusted, that it collapsed when using the pipe wrench. So off to youtube, and I found this video. I didn't use this exact method but chisel and hammer and eventually got the pipe out. Thanks for the video, saved me hundreds of dollars on a plumber. Sorry plumbers, not today.

[@chiquita683]

I've got the same basic problem, thinking about doing the same. Really rusted plug fitting is dripping, thinking of just chiseling it out

[@DragonBuilds]

Clean out plugs on drains are pretty easy to chisel out but water lines tend to use solid plugs which are much harder to remove

[@thomask4836]

Thank You Sir! I am getting ready to do some major work on an old galvanized system and this really will help me out! Best Wishes, Tom

[@Yonatan24]

Great tip. On a side note, I need that adorable reciprocating saw.

[@DragonBuilds]

That mini saw isn't as powerful as a full-sized Sawzall but it can be used one-handed and fits in tight spots. I'd recommend it.

[@meket25]

Thx for this tip… just safe my life🙏🏻

[@davidchen92127]

Thanks! It works very well and saved me $$$!

[@KarasCyborg]

They actually sell cogs that are conic shaped that you can tap into that cut pipe with a hammer and then reverse them out and the cogs bite harder when being reversed out.

[@DragonBuilds]

They are called pipe nipple extractors and I have used them before, they work well for removing a broken off pipe but not when the pipe is seized up with rust.

[@Killuminati_144]

thanks buddy!!

[@pieinthesky4106]

Great idea.

[@user-tc3ou6sy5f]

Or.......use two hammers.....place one hammer on the opposite side..... hit the pipe firmly with the other hammer. Do this all around the fitting........several times. Dont hit so hard as to cave the pipe in. Just to loosen the threads. Rust takes up space.......and by tapping on the fitting / pipe it forces the rust to move...give way.......and then use a vice grips or pipe wrench and remove it.

[@DragonBuilds]

That is another great method that works! I have done it before with success.

[@phillipkim1618]

nice video bro :)

[@kimchee94112]

Most of my galvanized kitchen 1.5" sink drain pipes are 60 or more years old with major internal female thread corrosion. A new nipple won't fit anymore. I have an 1-1/2 in.-11-1/2 Carbon Steel NPT Pipe Tap on order, see if that would clean out the female threads.

[@DragonBuilds]

That pipe tap should definitely help clean out the threads! Make sure to use cutting oil with it to help lubricate the tap.

[@thomaslevy9985]

tks guy.

[@abrahamgonzalez2904]

Thanks a ton!!!

[@saiwankhede9901]

Thanks❤❤❤🎉

[@awesomerpower]

Map gas torch. Heat the fitting and the nipple or pipe a little bit and it will come loose. Don’t burn down your house, very important.

[@DragonBuilds]

The torch I used in the video works with both MAPP and propane

[@awesomerpower]

@@DragonBuilds I thought you tore it up with a chisel so I stopped watching before the torch was used

[@jconlin8216]

Or you use lamp wick no special sealant

[@TomSpurling82]

Just heat it up 👍🏻

[@user-tc3ou6sy5f]

Some times we dont have a torch...or are in an area things could catch on fire. Just ......use two hammers.....place one hammer on the opposite side..... hit the pipe firmly with the other hammer. Do this all around the fitting........several times. Dont hit so hard as to cave the pipe in. Just to loosen the threads. Rust takes up space.......and by tapping on the fitting / pipe it forces the rust to move...give way.......and then use a vice grips or pipe wrench and remove it.

[@mafia715]

I would rather cut the open mouth by hacksaw blade to engage a metal handle to twist the stucked piece.

[@FastEddieQ]

My opinion cutting the pipe that close is kind of dumb, because if chiseling don’t work then want? Use a pipe wrench and use a hammer same thing

[@DragonBuilds]

This is really a last resort option when you can't get the pipe unscrewed.

[@larrytheplumber9851]

Dope shyt

[@JayWillis2120]

I'm confused. Why can't we use a pipe wrench, an internal pipe wrench or a pipe extractor again?

[@DragonBuilds]

Sometimes a joint is so badly seized that it is impossible to loosen with a pipe wrench because the pipe or fitting would crush before the joint unscrews. I've used this technique to remove rotten galvanized pipe screwed into a cast iron stack.

[@JayWillis2120]

@@DragonBuilds 1. The extractors or internal pipe wrench still have less chance of harming the threads and 2. Your telling me the first thing you would do is saw the nipple even to the fitting without trying the pipe wrench? Sure, we have all used the "technique" I time or two on a busted tub drain but never on a pipe nipple. Get outa here!

[@DragonBuilds]

@@JayWillis2120 I always try a pipe wrench first. This method is the absolute last resort when nothing else works to unscrew the pipe.

[@JayWillis2120]

@@DragonBuilds then why not ever mention international pipe wrenches or extractors? Admit it, you watched someone do this backwoods lazy hack and think you found gold. "Don't go buy a 30 dollar extractor kit, go get a 150 dollar hackzall and a chisel instead!"

[@DragonBuilds]

@@JayWillis2120 an extractor won't work if the pipe is completely seized

[@pdcovies4453]

If we had like your tools then what point to come this video 😢. 😂

[@DragonBuilds]

You don’t need a power saw, a hand saw is slower but should still work.

[@pdcovies4453]

@@DragonBuilds oh OK will try, thank you