Vanity water supply pipes will not come off of water supply valves

Question

Hey, I have some minor plumbing work that needs to be done. I'm not familiar with how the plumber installed the water supply pipes coming from the supply valves under my vanity to the faucet. The nuts attaching the pipes to the valves will not come off. I've tried numerous wrenches and applied all of my strength plus leverage. The pipes were installed about 18 years ago. Could it be that they are just stuck because of their old age, or is there a glue or solvent that's keeping them tight? Is there a saw that I can use just to cut the pipes so I can at least remove the vanity and get better angling to remove the nuts? Thanks, Matt.

Answer 1

Go to a Home Center and purchase a Basin Wrench. These are used to remove the nuts that hold the faucet to the sink. Then you could remove the sink for more room to work. The problem is probably calcium deposits that are holding the nuts tight. You could try wrapping a rag soaked with vinegar around the nuts for a couple hours to loosen the deposits.

Answer 2

If these are standard line shutoff valves the nuts could very well be just corroded to the point where they nearly become one with the line or the valve or both.  A fairly new product I've been using for a few months now, (my son's actually put me on to it), is PB Blaster.  It's probably the best, bar none, penetrating oil I've ever used.  Had some plumbing fittings I couldn't turn with a 14" crescent, sprayed them with the PB and in ten minutes could turn them with my fingers.    Great stuff.  Should be available at auto supply stores, Home Depot, hardwares, etc.  

Answer 3

It sounds as if you have a one piece angle stop and attached corrugated supply line.  If you are trying to disconnect the supply line from the valve, and you do have a one piece, the above mentioned tool, a basin wrench, is what you will need to remove the nuts from the underside of the faucet. This type of stop and supply was yused extensively about 20 to 30 years ago, and still can be found.  I suggest replacing these with individual angle stops and supply lines.  It makes it easier to maintain.