How do you take apart push-to-connect plumbing fittings?
Unfamiliar push-to-connect or specialty fittings lack obvious wrench points, leaving people unable to tell how to release them without breaking the pipe or shut-off valve. Twisting firmly just wiggles the pipe, causing fear that using full strength will shatter the valve and force a complete replacement of the plumbing line.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Trying to force or twist the fitting open with a wrench
- 2Looking up youtube tutorials and videos for alternative connector types
- 3Considering replacing the entire shutoff valve or cutting the pipe
- 4Calling a professional plumber for assistance
- 5Opening a faucet on the lowest level to drain the system and laying a towel underneath
- 6hiring a professional
- 7Cutting back more of the spout for access, using a crescent wrench against the collar to release the fitting, or calling a plumber.
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I’ve got this old corroded fitting inside of my tub spout. Trying to use some channel locks and pliers to take it off but not sure if that’s the right approach and I don’t want to damage the copper pipe.”source ↗
“Leak developed at the connection point for the toilet. No amount of plumbers puddy or retightening the compression nut is improving anything.”source ↗
“I have no idea what spot I need to actually apply the wrench to to get this off.”source ↗
“Twisting firmly just has the pipe itself wiggling and I fear totally shattering the shut off valve if I used my full strength”source ↗
“Feel like this project got bigger snd and the entire shutoff valve needs to be replaced with something more normal.”source ↗
“Anyway, what is the point of a shut off valve if the whole valve has to be removed to try to replace a broken part?”source ↗
“Changing the kitchen faucet and I’m not sure how to remove the plastic piece from the metal I looked up videos but they all show metal to metal not metal to plastic.”source ↗
“when I try to remove that one water still comes out and I’m sure I shut the water off”source ↗
“Very inexperienced plumber here. I’m trying to disconnect the supply lines to my bathroom faucet. I removed the nut on one of them, but the line won’t budge, so I assume there’s another nut to loosen. Is the second nut that I’ve circled part of the supply lines or the shutoff?”source ↗
“Oh boy. I’ll have to solder? I’ve got no knowledge of how to do that, and this is the one shower/tub in the house. Should I hold off and call a plumber this week?”source ↗
“How do I remove the vertical pipe at this joint? Is it lead holding the pipe in place? Can I heat it up safely and just pull the pipe out? I want to install a 3” PVC with clean out in its place.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 7How to fix a glued sink drain pipe
- 2How to remove stuck threaded pipes from an old boiler without breaking it
- 5How to remove a broken toilet flange yourself
- 5How to disconnect stuck automotive electrical connectors
- 8How to remove a faucet handle with no visible screws
- 2How to remove a snapped valve adjustment screw