DIY Fix: How I Removed a Broken PVC Pipe from a Brass Elbow Fitting in My Wall
Sometimes the most unexpected things happen when you’re just trying to get out the door. That was me today. While getting ready for work, I ran into a plumbing surprise that turned into a full-blown DIY fix, and I want to share how I solved it, just in case you ever find yourself in the same boat.
🚿 It All Started With a Simple Task
That morning, I went into the laundry room to clean off a pair of shoes. I turned on the water pipe as usual, rinsed them off quickly, and then reached to shut off the tap. But the moment I applied a little pressure, I heard that dreaded sound, crack!
Suddenly, water was gushing out, and I looked down to find the PVC pipe had snapped clean off inside the wall-mounted brass elbow fitting. I was now left with a jagged edge and a threaded chunk of PVC lodged deep inside the brass fitting. Not exactly how I planned to start my day.
🧠First Thought: Can I Unscrew It?
My first instinct was to try and turn the broken piece out. I grabbed a piece of wood and jammed it into the open center of the pipe. The idea was to give it some grip and twist it counterclockwise. Nothing. It wouldn't budge.
Next, I went for a pair of regular pliers, still no luck. The broken PVC piece was too smooth, too snug, and too stripped for a good grip. That’s when I realized this wasn’t going to be a quick twist-out job.
🔨 The Method That Finally Worked
I needed something sharper, something that could split the PVC inside the brass without damaging the brass threads. I reached for my wide flat-mouth pliers and a hammer.
Carefully, I positioned the sharp tip of the pliers inside the broken pipe, then gave it a few taps with the hammer. Not too hard, just enough to slice the PVC into segments. Slowly but surely, I was able to split the inner pipe into three sections.
Once those pieces loosened up, I used the pliers again to grab each section and pull it out, one at a time. It took some patience and a bit of elbow grease, but after about 45 minutes of trial and error, the last piece came out clean.
🔧 Tools I Used
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Wide flat-mouth pliers
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Hammer
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Piece of wood (for the first attempt)
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Needle-nose pliers (for fine removal)
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Rag to clean the threads
💡 What I Learned From This DIY Repair
Here’s what I took away from this little adventure:
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Don’t panic, a broken PVC pipe in a brass fitting can be fixed without a plumber.
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Cutting or splitting the inner pipe carefully is more effective than trying to force it out whole.
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Go slow and be gentle, brass threads can be damaged if you rush or apply too much pressure.
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Having the right tool, like sharp pliers, makes all the difference.
🧰 Step-by-Step: How to Remove a Broken PVC Pipe from a Brass Elbow Fitting
If you're facing the same issue, here’s a quick summary of the steps I took:
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Turn off the water supply.
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Check how deep the PVC is stuck inside the brass fitting.
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Try to grip and twist it out using a wooden insert or pliers.
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If that fails, carefully tap a sharp flat-mouth tool or screwdriver into the PVC to split it.
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Remove the broken segments one by one using needle-nose pliers.
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Clean out any debris or thread sealant inside the brass fitting.
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Wrap your new male adapter with Teflon tape and screw it in firmly but gently.
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Turn the water back on and check for leaks.
🛠️ Handy Tools You Might Need
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Flat-mouth pliers with a strong grip
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Mini hammer for precise tapping
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PVC removal tool (if needed)
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Teflon tape (a must-have for resealing)
✅ Final Thoughts
DIY repairs don’t always go smoothly, but that’s part of the journey. What started out as a quick shoe rinse turned into an unexpected 45-minute plumbing challenge. But with a little patience, creativity, and some basic tools, I fixed it myself, and you can too.
Have you ever had a pipe break off like that? What worked for you? Drop a comment below or share your story, I’d love to hear it!
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