[Pazuzu]

Helping a friend with a leak, we needed to replace the copper flex line on the hot water outlet from his heater. No problem, I got the replacement flex line, but where it connects to the 3/4 galvanized nipple out of the wall got chewed up. The iron pipe actually partially collapsed under the pipe wrench it was so thin from corrosion (70 year old house, probably 70 year old fitting). So, next step is remove the 6 inch nipple from the wall, but it won't budge. I put a 24 inch pipe wrench on it and used probably 1/4 my body weight, not a peep.

Anyone have an idea how to remove a badly rusted/corroded nipple? The pipe in is a wall, next to a stud. No flames please...
The nipple goes into a 90 then up into the attic. One option is maybe cut the nipple flush, then try to crack the 90 loose. If that works, great. If not, I have now destroyed something deeper into the wall.

Can I use a dremel and a pick and slowly tear the nipple apart from within? If the threads are rusted together, will the pieces come out once tension is off, or will they actually be "glued" in place?


Can I use a very short length of rubber hose with clamps? Is there anything like a Shark Bite fitting for galvanized? What about cutting it and gluing a fitting on with JB weld?