How to Remove Pex Fittings

Written By
Kelly Schuler
Kelly Schuler
Published: Jun 8, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Things You Will Need

  • PVC pipe cutter
  • Crimp ring removal tool
  • Pliers

The crimp ring removal tool, designed to aid in salvaging costly PEX fitting, is easy to use. Learning how to use the tool takes only minutes, and is well worth the time.

  1. Cut off the bad crimp joint as close to the fitting as possible with a pair of PVC pipe cutters.

  2. Insert the lower jaw of the removal tool into the PEX fitting until the tool’s cutting blade covers the whole ring.

  3. Squeeze the tool’s handles together until you hear a click. The click indicates that it made the cut.

  4. Rotate the fitting 90 degrees and make another cut. Make two more cuts, turning the fitting each time.

  5. Pull the pipe and PEX crimp ring off the fitting by hand; in some cases, you may need to use pliers.

Tips

Insert the removal tool into the fitting with the cutting blade to the outside.

Warnings

Use caution when using the removal tool to avoid finger injuries.

Kelly Schuler

Kelly Schuler is both a writer and a plumber. He self published "Plumbing Do's and Dont's" in 1999. Schuler has been a licensed plumbing and gas-fitting contractor since 2001 and a licensed journeyman plumber since 1986. He actively owned…

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.