(Need Advice) Remove 1/2" galvanized NPT pipe from END

VillageIdiot

I had a plumber fired from a job after several problems (including not p-testing prior to completion of finished wall, forgetting to solvent weld FOUR CPVC joints inside wall, leaking drain line, HOT WATER supply to toilet...).

After correcting all of those (at significant expense), I just discovered newest problem that he used nipples 1/2" too short for the flush mount Kohler body sprays. Although the instructions were quite clear, he failed to account for the thickness of the finished with with tile. The wall is now complete and body sprays won't attach due to the too-short nipples.

I need to remove the nipples from the copper els and replace with longer nipples. However, I'm working through a 4" square hole in the tile between studs and can't get my 10" pipe wrench to turn. Does anyone have advice for removing and replacing these from the end of the pipe?

Hopefully someone can help here or I'll be breaking out tile and backer board.

Cheers.

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bob22

Can't you just grab them with some channel locks or vice grips and screw them out?

VillageIdiot

I tried clamping vice grips around the pipe and turning the vice grips with my pipe wrench outside the wall. It wouldn't budge.

mazzonetv

two things...first I hope they are brass nipples and not galvanized..

second - try this internal pipe wrench from Superior Tool.

VillageIdiot

That looks very promising. I'll give it a shot. Thank you!

He did use galvanized. I have brass to replace it. If you want something done right.....

SULTINI

That wrench looks really Kool that should work.

I would tape up some cardboard or something in case I banged the tiles.