Looks like a copper cap was soldered on my bathroom shower flange. Any tips on how to remove the cap?

Question

Its an older bathroom, I thought it was just rusted on, but after soaking it in WD40 with no give, I've come to the conclusion that it is soldred on. Should i use one of those high powered torches? or will that burn my house down? HELP I NEED MY SHOWER IM TIRED OF SIT DOWN BATHS!

Answer 1

SOLDEINGTORCH-set to a blue flame,take about 20-seconds to melt.use a pair of pliers torab flange,so that you nont get burned

Answer 2

actually, i need more info on this, is it sticking out of the wall? because if it is there prob is a nipple attached to the way that you can s***w the copper pipe out of, then you would buy a new shower head to s***w on.

Answer 3

is the shower flange also made of copper? if so u can torch it back off, doesn't take much heat or time to remove it...you'll need a pair of pliers to pull it off while its hot...don't let it cool off any or it will just re stick itself.....or use a pipe cutter to remove the cap

Answer 4

You may need to get access to the plumbing from behind, so if you can cut a hole in the backside of the wall to expose the pipes that would be best.  Obviously this would not work if the was is an outside wall, but if it is in a closet or some other interior wall, just cut a hole in it big enough to see what is going on and enable you to get to the pipes.

If there is any water at all in the pipes a torch will not work, because the water will turn to steam and prevent the pipe from reaching a hot enough temperature to melt the solder.