How to Remove the Ferrule From a Copper Pipe

Lock a pair of vise grips around the copper pipe as close to the wall as possible. Do not crimp the pipe when locking the vise grips. The vise grips serve as a handle to prevent moving the copper pipe when removing the ferrule.

Grasp the ferrule with a pair of slip-joint pliers. Hold the vise grips with one hand, and pull the ferrule off the end of the pipe with the pliers in your other hand. Twist the ferrule left to right as you pull.

Slide the compression nut as far away as possible from the ferrule, if the ferrule will not pull off the pipe. Insert a cutting wheel into a rotary drill.

Cut through the ferrule with the rotary drill. Do not cut into the copper pipe.

Insert a flat-head screwdriver inside the slice you cut in the ferrule. Twist the screwdriver to open the slice and expand the ferrule. The ferrule is usually made from a soft brass and bends when twisting the screwdriver. Pull the ferrule off the copper pipe.