Hose bibb removal

[oakumboakum]

Plumbing pros,

I have a 1/2" female npt brass hose bibb connected to a copper threaded fitting that is soldered onto 1/2" copper pipe. The hose bibb leaks at the T handle whenever I turn on the water. My question is this: is it possible to unscrew the hose bibb from the threaded fitting without breaking the soldered seal or should I just cut out the fitting and solder a new one? I would like to simply unscrew the bibb because I can't find my torch head and will have to buy a new torch head and cylinder.


Thank you

 

[johnjh2o]

If you use two wrenches it should unscrew. If it's just leaking around the handle why not repair it? It may just take a little tightening of the packing nut.

 

[oakumboakum]

Thank you John,

I did unscrew the nut and thought about replacing the rubber washer I saw in there. The hose bibb was installed in 1971 when we had all the steel pipes replaced with copper pipe and is 42 years old. I bought a new bibb at Lowe's for $7 and after spraying the old bibb with Liquid Wench and several attempts, I was able to remove the bibb without breaking the solder seal. The new bibb is in and there are no more leaks when I turn the handle.

Thanks again

 

[johnjh2o]

You're welcome.