Help Pipe Broke Inside Another Pipe
I am trying to cap off a <not sure what to call it> water line but the line that the water goes out but when I tried to take off the plastic pipe it broke off inside the galvanized pipe. i can't get it out. I think the person who put it there may have used something to secure it tightly. Is there something I can do to get that out of there. It would be very hard to replace the galvanized pip. ugh 
Katrina
Is the metal pipe threaded on the inside (female) and the plastic threads ( male) broke off inside?
That is what your description sounds like.
Pipe dope or teflone tape was probably used for a water tight joint.
Try placing the tip of a flat head screwdriver on the plastic part and strike the end of the screwdriver with a hammer (not to hard ) trying to make it turn counter clockwise.
This will back the broke off plastic piece out of the metal pipe and usually works.
If this is drinking water the galvanized pipe should be replaced with plastic or copper.
Best of Luck
JohnNH
[ Edited by JohnNH on Date 03/14/2004 ]
i tried to hit it with a screw driver but it is stuck. It is not drinking water it is the line that the water leaves the sink. I was trying to turn the plastic pipe to unscrew it and remove it. That is when it broke.
Hay katrina,
How are you? Try using a larger hammer so you don't have to hit that tread more then once. It can cause more damage you know and then you''ll have to really call plumber and you know how expensive they are? I would call them right away but if you can save few bucks, why don't fix it yourself. I agrre with you.
I've seen good books in Lowe's and Home Depot. Teach how to use the tools and tape. I've also seen a guru course on tape that teaches plambing in the meter of days.
Good luck to you. Let us know the rest of the story. It realy sound's like a very tough job. [ Edited by DealerJo on Date 03/14/2004 ]
I can't really get a grip on exactly what you are working on, but if you have a metal pipe with a plastic pipe stuck in side it, are you able to melt it out? Plastic melts, metal doesn't. If you can apply a torch to it without burning down the rest of the house go for it. Layers of aluminum foil can work as a heat shield to protect any combustible stuff.
Other thoughts are can you drill out the plastic?
thanks everyone. I think I am going
to try what the-rehabinator says.
thanks everyone. I think I am going
to try what the-rehabinator says.
Dear Katrina,
First of all, stop and repeat the Plumbers Creed. "It is really really screwed up and its going to cost big bucks."
Now to work, first a few questions, what color is the plastic pipe? White? Gray, or the ever ABS color black?
Do you have a flashlight? Do you have a little torch? Do you have a hammer and do you have room to swing it and hit a chisel or biggy screw driver?
Remember the worst thing that can happen is that you have to spin the Galvanized pipe out and then bang away once you got it out in the fresh air. To do that, last resort, you use a big wrench and sometimes you put a "Cheater Pipe" on the end so you can get more leverage. The direction is always to unscrew Counter Clock Wise. Trust me.
oops I forgot different in the Middle East.
Now the variables. If the pipe broken off inside is white, just bang on it and it will come out maybe in several little parts.
If the pipe inside is gray, why then use the torch with great care and pry away.
If it is ABS, black use the torch and then try to back it out. Counter Clock Wise.
Of course I have the perfect instrument sitting under my desk. It is a funny little wrench that expands inside a broken pipe and with a cheater bar on it you just twist it out. Sorry I just can't drop everything and join you.
Now remember no cursing or swearing and do not ask God for help, he hates that. But you can do it. If not call a plumber. Most of us are lousey conversationalist but we do function well under sinks.
I await the results of this encounter. Good training for the hereafter.
Cheers yours in copper Lucius
Why thank you for the good information, Lucius. It is a white ppi but it is very stuck. I tried banging on it with a screw driver and a hammer and nothing. wouldn't budge. So, now I think I will try the torch thingy. Thanks again.
I fixed it. I used a candle lighter <similar to a cigarette lighter> and melted a little bit of it and popped it out then capped it off. schwoo, glad that is over.
Dear Katrina,
You think you are happy? How do you think the pipe feels?
Sometimes I use the funny clicky lighter you use for lighting fireplaces. My fellow plumbers think I am nuts. Their theory is to destroy everything and then let you pay them big bucks to rebuild it.
You dun good and you now have ten points in the plumbers temple.
Cheers Lucius
thanks, Lucius. Btw, I have a family friend named Luius. nice name. and thanks again for the help.