Funny how a coffee break can be the best tool in the box. Come back, give it a gentle nudge, and suddenly it moves like it was never stuck.
I get the whole “walk away and try again” approach, but sometimes I think that’s just giving the corrosion more time to mock you. I’ve actually had better luck with a steady, controlled pressure rather than backing off and risking another round of seizing up. Also, I know heat is a go-to, but on old brass or anything near soldered joints, I’m always wary—seen too many fittings start leaking later. Sometimes, if it’s really stubborn, I’ll try a strap wrench before reaching for the torch. Not perfect, but it’s saved me from snapping things off more than once.
I hear you on the steady pressure—sometimes that’s the only way to keep from shearing off old threads. I’ve had a few stems where even a strap wrench felt dicey, especially if the bonnet nut was already rounded off by someone else. Ever tried a little PB Blaster and letting it sit overnight? I’ve had mixed results, but sometimes it’ll creep in just enough to make the next morning a lot less stressful. Curious if you’ve run into any stems that just wouldn’t budge no matter what—at what point do you call it and cut your losses?
Yeah, I’ve definitely had a few that just wouldn’t give, no matter what I threw at them. PB Blaster’s helped sometimes, but I’ve also had it do basically nothing—guess it depends on how crusty things are. Had one old shower valve where the stem was fused solid; after a couple rounds with heat and penetrant, I finally just cut the whole thing out and replaced the body. Sometimes you gotta know when to stop fighting and save yourself the headache.
Sometimes you gotta know when to stop fighting and save yourself the headache.
Yeah, I hear you, but man, I always try to avoid cutting stuff out unless it’s the absolute last resort. Those replacement parts aren’t cheap, and sometimes you open up a whole can of worms with old plumbing. I’ve had luck with a breaker bar and some patience, but I get it—sometimes the thing’s just welded in there by time and hard water. Still, I’d rather spend an hour wrestling than drop a hundred bucks on a new valve body if I can help it.
I get where you’re coming from—sometimes you just don’t want to mess with old pipes unless you have to. But I’ve had a few “quick fixes” turn into all-day projects when the stem finally snapped off inside the wall. Nothing like thinking you’re saving money, then realizing you’re knee-deep in a bigger mess... I guess it’s a gamble either way.
