• Replacing PVC closet collars
  • Reshaping copper
  • Stubborn galvanized nipples


    • Time And Money

    To save time, money and damage to the customer’s home when replacing PVC closet collars with broken flanges in concealed concrete floors and finished floors and ceilings: Cut the flange of a 4x3 closet collar off at the top of the spigot with an internal cutter and remove the flange. You can then glue a 4-inch PVC male closet collar over the hub of the existing 3-inch collar, screw it to the floor and reset the toilet. This saves opening floors and ceilings to access the closet bend and/or collar to replace them, saving customers hundreds of dollars.

    Michael Letsinger
    Pearson Plumbing, Heating
    Rockford, Ill.

    Easy Reshape

    If you have copper with the end out of round, take your hammer flare and put in just the beginning. This will easily reshape it. For smaller diameter tubing, use your flare block to reshape it.

    Ed Schradin Sr.
    Ed Schradin & Sons
    Greenwood Lake, N.Y.

    Better Than One

    When removing stubborn galvanized nipples out of water heater riser pipes, I found that using two pipe wrenches 180 degrees across from each other doubles your torque on the nipple and evens out the pressure on the fitting in the wall. Remove any rust pieces from the 90-degree fittings and install new brass nipples. This helps to prevent breaking off the 90-degree fitting in the wall.

    John Kuhlmann
    Kuhlmann’s Plumbing
    Pacific Grove, Calif.

    Send Us Your Tool Tips!

    If you have an idea that has saved you time and money,Plumbing & Mechanicalwould like to share your tip with our readers. You can e-mail your idea directly toEditor@PMmag.comor mail it to Managing Editor Kelly Faloon c/o PM, 1050 IL Route 83, Suite 200, Bensenville, IL  60106.

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