I am trying to remove an angle valve so I can install a new quarter turn. I tried to desolder the old valve off, but with no success. The stub out is only 3/4 inch (visible part--not covered by the old angle valve) and the pipe is only about 1 inch off the floor. I could only heat the top and side part of the old valve, since there is no room to heat the bottom. Is this the reason it wouldn't come off ?? I removed the handle and nut on the old angle valve and tried to dry the copper pipe by sticking a rag in before attempting the desolder. There is very little working space since the pipe is so close to the floor. Any ideas ????

with the stem removed, try aiming the heat inside the empty valve body.

Thanks for your reply. There must have been water in the pipe because it finally came off easily after I stuck some paper towels rolled up thin inside the pipe, and the paper came out wet. After they came out dry, I tried the torch again and it came off rather quickly. Thanks again....



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