How would I remove this stem to replace it?

- Tried the freeze spray once, but honestly, I got nervous about cracking the pipe too.
- What worked for me: soaking the stem threads with penetrating oil overnight, then tapping it gently with a rubber mallet before trying to turn it.
- If it’s really stuck, I’ve heard some folks use a hair dryer to warm things up a bit instead of freezing—less risk of shocking old metal.
- Just curious, is there any visible corrosion or is it just seized up from age? Sometimes a little patience and wiggling does the trick...

Not sure I’d trust a hair dryer to do much, honestly. Maybe if it’s just a little stuck, but if there’s real corrosion, I feel like you need more heat than that. I tried the penetrating oil trick once and it worked, but it took a couple rounds and a lot of patience. I’d be careful with tapping too—old pipes can be brittle. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just safer to call a plumber when things feel sketchy...

Maybe if it’s just a little stuck, but if there’s real corrosion, I feel like you need more heat than that.

Honestly, I get the hesitation about the hair dryer, but I’ve actually had luck with it on a stuck valve before. Not saying it’s magic, but sometimes a little heat and patience does the trick. I’d only call a plumber if it feels like I’m about to break something expensive. Otherwise, I figure it’s worth a shot—worst case, I’m back where I started.

Yeah, I’ve tried the hair dryer trick too. Sometimes it helps, but honestly, if there’s real corrosion, you’re probably just wasting time. I’ve seen valves so seized up that even a propane torch barely budges them—hair dryer won’t cut it in those cases.

That said, I get not wanting to call a plumber unless you have to. I usually try penetrating oil first, let it sit overnight, then go at it with a decent wrench. If it still doesn’t move, I’ll use heat, but carefully—too much and you risk damaging seals or nearby pipes.

One thing I’ve learned: if you feel like you’re about to snap something, just stop. Fixing a broken pipe in the wall is way more expensive than a plumber visit. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles.

Honestly, I get the caution, but I’ve had a couple stuck stems where patience and a hair dryer actually did the trick. Not saying it works every time, but sometimes you don’t need to go nuclear right away.

- Penetrating oil is solid advice, but I’d add: tap the stem gently with a hammer after applying it. Seems to help the oil work in.
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if you feel like you’re about to snap something, just stop

I guess I’m just less quick to reach for the torch. Maybe I’m paranoid about melting something I can’t see...