Asked on Jun 07, 2015

Showerhead pipe broke off!!

I have a tiled shower and the pipe broke off in the pipe for the showerhead. Someone said get an Easy Out but nothing works. Anyone have any tricks they know of? I really don't want to tear out the tile to get to the pipe and cut it off!!!
  11 answers
  • Terry Terry on Jun 08, 2015
    You could try using penetrating oil( available at your hardware store) at the break and continue using the easy out. It will take a few tries as the oil need to break down the rust and crud.
  • Karli Karli on Jun 08, 2015
    my 2 showers backup to closest in different bedrooms. the last choice would be to come in from behind it. ( if they are on "inside walls" )
  • Omniman Omniman on Jun 08, 2015
    A device called an "Easy Out" can be bought at a REAL PLUBING store or hardware...its a reversed spin so as you force to the LEFT is removes the broken piece, safest way. LUBRICAT FIRST and try to hold what piece is left so u don't twist in the wall.
  • Cindys Cindys on Jun 08, 2015
    I know this is going to sound crazy, but after the threads were cut onto the shower neck, there isn't much actual pipe left. That is probably why the "easy out" isn't working - nothing to grab ahold of. I have done this several times, so I know it will work IF you can find where the thread starts at the beginning of the pipe where it broke off. Use an awl to start the remaining threading to separate from the delivery pipe. Once you get it started it will "uncoil" like a spring. Good luck.
  • Pete Wells Pete Wells on Jun 08, 2015
    I had this happen to a drain pipe, the threaded part broke and was left inside the fitting...a fwell-placed screwdriver got between the threads and I was able to break the threaded part, removal was easy then..
  • B Brown B Brown on Jun 08, 2015
    Call a plumber. Better safe than sorry.
  • D & K D & K on Jun 08, 2015
    Chances are no matter what you use you're not going to have much luck. Looking at the photo it appears most of the shower head pipe is lost to corrosion so using an "easy out" is not going to do much if there's nothing remaining for it to grab and further attempts will only damage the thread of the elbow. Don't go through the tile. Go at the pipe from the rear and simply replace the 1/2 inch elbow. Just be certain you check it for leaks before you seal up everything.
    • See 2 previous
    • D & K D & K on Jun 09, 2015
      Well I never said it was going to be easy and in all likelihood the elbow does have ears. However, once its pried loose from the wood crosspiece it's best to simply remove the entire riser pipe from the fixture, replace the elbow and reinstall the riser pipe.
  • Shane Shane on Jun 08, 2015
    try a # 10 flat file and stick it in the pipe, tap the end with a hammer and twist out old pipe piece
  • Meyndert Borrie Bornman Meyndert Borrie Bornman on Jun 12, 2015
    I agree with Shane, if you did not try the file solution first you may waste money on other fixes. It is important to not hit the file into the fitting just a tap to make it grip, use an adjustable wrench to turn the file while pushing it into the fitting with the other hand.
  • Ann Hokrein Ann Hokrein on Aug 14, 2015
    This just happened to me and my son removed it in about 5 minutes. He used the file and tapped it until it was tight and pulled it right out.
  • Rose Dreesen Rose Dreesen on Jul 01, 2018

    Mine looked like that I put w-d 40 & let it sit a bit I then took what was left of thread on pipe u took out & screwed it back in this helped to lift some of the pipe then got small needle nose players grabbed on to it & kept turning it to left holding on tite to players got all most all of it stay more wd40 find a bolt the same size & screw it in it will catch the bad piece will have to use a wrench on the bolt to help u turn it . Good luck 🍀