Step 4 · Remove Old Nut and Ferrule

This is the step most people slow down on. Take it one move at a time — there’s no rush, and you can rewind the clip as many times as you need.

With the valve body removed, the old compression nut and the small brass ring, called a ferrule (or compression sleeve), will remain on the copper pipe. These must be removed. The ferrule is compressed onto the pipe and can be difficult to get off. The best tool for this is a compression sleeve puller, which neatly pulls the ferrule and nut off without damaging the pipe. Alternatively, you can carefully cut a slot in the ferrule with a small hacksaw or rotary tool, being extremely careful not to cut into the copper pipe itself, and then pry it open with a flathead screwdriver. Do not reuse the old nut or ferrule.