# Help me get this hose removed from my outside faucet **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 1, 2018, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423 "2018-05-01T17:30:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423/21 "2018-05-02T12:49:30Z")
In some cases it may be easier to change out the whole faucet. They typically screw on to the copper pipe, but only do so if you can reach the nut behind the spigot so you can put a wrench on it. You can see what I mean here: [- YouTube](https://youtu.be/qwZCxH-asMY?t=70) You don’t want to just unscrew the spigot without bracing the pipe since you would run the risk of torquing the pipe. If you change out the whole spigot, watch a few videos to see the procedure. It’s pretty easy, but you don’t want to skip a step and end up with leaks. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423/22 "2018-05-02T14:45:13Z")
> [@Seren359](#): > > If you are going to try brute force. > First turn off the supply to the tap, then when it breaks you will not have a disaster. I had a plumber out last year to do some repair work on the shut-off valve to the water supply for one of the toilets. (I was going to replace the flush valve inside the tank, but when I shut the water supply off and tried to drain the tank, I could still hear water running.) So of course the first thing the plumber asked me to do was to go down to the basement and turn off the main, while he was getting stuff out of the truck. I turned the handle, and it just snapped off in my hand. Water started spewing everywhere, I ran outside to let him know, and he was able to turn off the water at the street. I can only imagine what a disaster it would have been if I didn’t already have a plumber there. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423/23 "2018-05-02T15:07:48Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > In some cases it may be easier to change out the whole faucet. They typically screw on to the copper pipe, but only do so if you can reach the nut behind the spigot so you can put a wrench on it. You can see what I mean here: [https://youtu.be/qwZCxH-asMY?t=70](https://youtu.be/qwZCxH-asMY?t=70) You don’t want to just unscrew the spigot without bracing the pipe since you would run the risk of torquing the pipe. > > If you change out the whole spigot, watch a few videos to see the procedure. It’s pretty easy, but you don’t want to skip a step and end up with leaks. And if you decide to change out the whole faucet, I’d suggest getting a frost-free sillcock, because with those, the stem is long enough that the seat is in the heated part of the house and should not freeze. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423/24 "2018-05-02T16:15:49Z")
If I decide to change out the whole faucet then I am definitely getting a plumber involved. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![KMS94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ad7895/32.png) [@KMS94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KMS94)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423/25 "2018-05-02T16:45:06Z")
You might try unscrewing it using a hammer and chisel, lightly, tapping the female hose connection counter-clockwise. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423/26 "2018-05-02T23:37:55Z")
[Parrot jaw pliers](https://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/CNL-414.html) will grip tightly on a round item in a way that other pliers, including vise grips, can’t. If it’s not seized so badly that it absolutely can’t be unscrewed, these will do the job. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423/27 "2018-05-02T23:43:27Z")
Missed the edit: And they don’t have to be squeezed with crushing force to accomplish this. They ingeniously bite into the surface of all but the hardest metal and don’t slip around. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2018, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423/28 "2018-05-03T02:53:41Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > In some cases it may be easier to change out the whole faucet. They typically screw on to the copper pipe, but only do so if you can reach the nut behind the spigot so you can put a wrench on it. You can see what I mean here: [https://youtu.be/qwZCxH-asMY?t=70](https://youtu.be/qwZCxH-asMY?t=70) You don’t want to just unscrew the spigot without bracing the pipe since you would run the risk of torquing the pipe. > > If you change out the whole spigot, watch a few videos to see the procedure. It’s pretty easy, but you don’t want to skip a step and end up with leaks. That video makes a point I meant to bring up: When you replace the hose connection, use teflon tape in between the two. In fact, just in general, never screw any plumbing piece onto any other plumbing piece without some teflon tape in between. It’s like baking without parchment paper, NEVER worth the hassle it causes down the road. ---
**Author:** ![Fir\_na\_tine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423/29 "2018-05-04T12:45:14Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > [Parrot jaw pliers](https://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/CNL-414.html) will grip tightly on a round item in a way that other pliers, including vise grips, can’t. If it’s not seized so badly that it absolutely can’t be unscrewed, these will do the job. I was just going to suggest those! They allow for a good grip because of the serrated teeth but you don’t need to crush them on like vise grips. Also known as slip joint pliers or water pump pliers. Never leave home without em. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423/30 "2018-05-04T13:41:27Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I would try a pipe wrench, the bigger the better. You could also extend the wrench handle with a length of pipe of the right size. Get a handle long enough and it won’t take no for an answer. This gets my vote. ETA: AFAICT, a pipe wrench has every advantage in gripping a round item that parrot jaw pliers do, and then some - especially being able to throw a pipe around the handle of the pipe wrench to effectively give you a handle a few feet long for greater leverage. > [@Seren359](#): > > If you are going to try brute force. > First turn off the supply to the tap, then when it breaks you will not have a disaster. With this qualification, of course. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423/31 "2018-05-04T15:07:31Z")
Anyone suggesting vice grips is wrong. They are designed to hold things, not turn things. I have seen too many damaged fasteners and fittings because of them. A pipe wrench and a backing wrench on the faucet should get it off no problem. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423/32 "2018-05-05T02:29:18Z")
> [@Fir\_na\_tine](#): > > Also known as slip joint pliers or water pump pliers. That’s not quite right. To clarify the terminology: [Slip joint pliers](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=slip+joint+pliers&t=hg&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images) have two or more positions for the pivot. They can have straight or angled jaws. [Water pump pliers](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=water+pump+pliers&t=hg&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images) (often called Channellocks, a brand name) are a subset of slip joint pliers. They have several pivot positions and angled jaws, which can be [straight](http://www.virtualtoolvan.com/shop/images/CL460.jpg) or [or [URL=“http://www.4pipetools.com/external/commerce/1/gfx/hires/CHL432.jpg”]curved](http://www.4pipetools.com/external/commerce/1/gfx/hires/CHL432.jpg), but if curved it’s opposite curvature so as to wrap around an item. [Parrot jaw](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/th/aplus/channellock/channellock-B000189GQK-410-work-lg.jpg) (or parrot nose) pliers resemble curved-jaw water pump pliers, but the curvature is not opposite. Only the upper jaw wraps around the item; the lower jaw is curved (very slightly) in the same orientation. This results in a type of cam action where the biting force into the item is increased by rotation rather than by squeezing. > [@](#): > > They allow for a good grip because of the serrated teeth… All of the above plier types have serrated teeth, but that alone doesn’t mean they’ll grip as desired. It’s the particular design of parrot jaw pliers that makes them grip so well. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423/33 "2018-05-05T02:59:06Z")
> [@racer72](#): > > Anyone suggesting vice grips is wrong. They are designed to hold things, not turn things. I have seen too many damaged fasteners and fittings because of them. A pipe wrench and a backing wrench on the faucet should get it off no problem. Also a vice grip is something that Stormy Daniels shows off. A _vise grip_ is a hand tool that can be used as a portable vise. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-this-hose-removed-from-my-outside-faucet/813423.md?page=1)