Spent three days trying to free a stuck valve on a freshwater intake line

Got called out to a plant up near Lake Erie for a simple job, clear a blocked valve on a 12 inch intake line. Boss said it would be a quick in and out. Ha. The valve was seized solid, probably from years of silt and rust. Tried everything from the surface, so down I went. Couldn't get any real torque on it in the current, and my impact wrench just bounced off. Ended up having to rig a custom brace from some scrap pipe on the barge to hold myself steady, then used a 4 foot cheater bar. Felt that thing finally give on the afternoon of the third day. My whole body was sore from fighting the water. Anyone ever have a 'simple' valve job turn into a multi-day wrestling match?

3 comments

3 Comments

robert_rodriguez662mo ago

Man, they always call it a simple job right up until you need to build a whole support structure just to get some leverage. Sounds like you had to become part of the plumbing yourself. Three days of that feels like a lifetime, doesn't it? Bet you were dreaming about that cheater bar.

dianagreen1mo ago

Cheater bars are lifesavers, but sometimes you need to get creative. Had a pipe that wouldn't budge, ended up using a floor jack against a ceiling joist for pressure. A little heat from a propane torch on the fitting can break things loose too, just be careful. That combo of heat and stupid leverage usually does the trick.

xena_west432mo ago

Had a similar thing with a stuck bleeder valve on a boiler. Took a whole weekend and a torch.