Hi experts,

I tried to replace a leaking shower spout. I purchased an universal spout from home depot and installed it. It still leaks. After Google it on internet and found out spout should be slip-on type.

But the cooper pipe coming out from wall is damaged seriously when I removed the old spout. Below are the pictures:
Picture 1 - The cooper pipe
21822

Picture 2 - The enlarge detail for damage
21823

I am thinking to smooth it with emery cloth or sandpaper. Do you guys think it can fix the problem? Or I should tear down the wall to replace copper pipe?

What should I do?

Any helps or suggestions are appreciated!!

E.D

emery cloth or sandpaper

That should be fine as long as the tub spout seals around the copper after install.

Sanding will knock it down, I would use the emery cloth for the simple reason you can use a longer piece and hit more of the pipe to keep it rounder sea sawing it back and forth

Looks like the only damage here is where the set screws goes.

It's worth a shot. Progressively change the grits, probably ending in 320. Try some 60 grit to get rid of the major burrs in the damaged area. Use some plumbers silicon grease when you install the new spout.


F11:

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Hi E.D.:

The damage is primarily from the old set screw. The new spout's o-ring must be further back than the old one... huh?

I would use a FLAT FILE for this. Push the file in the forward direction only (only cuts in one direction) and walk it around the burred pipe. Take your time and it should smooth out nicely. Finish it up by using the emory cloth.

Purchase a little plumber's silicone grease and rub a light coating on the copper pipe before sliding the new tub spout on (allows the o-ring to slide over pipe smoothly).

This has worked for me in the past... hope it works for you!

Let me know if you have any questions...

MARK

Hi E.D.:

I would use a FLAT FILE for this...

Push the file in the forward direction only (only cuts in one direction) and walk it around the burred pipe. Take your time and it should smooth out nicely. Finish it up by using the emory cloth.

Purchase a little plumber's silicone grease and rub a light coating on the copper pipe before sliding the new tub spout on (allows the o-ring to slide over pipe smoothly).

Let me know if you have any questions...

MARK

Hi Mark,

I do have a question for you. What kind of flat file? Can you please specify the exact one that I need?

Thank you very much.

Hi 21boat & KeepItSimpleStupid,

21boat is right. Th damage part is caused by the set screw. Big lesson for me. Never use those unverisal spouts with set screw!!

Thank you for the info.

You are looking to purchase a FLAT BASTARD FILE... with or without handle.

Go to home depot or any home supply store and simply purchase a metal file as pictured above... finer teeth the better.

MARK

I agree with Mark to use a metal file to smooth the surface and then use emery cloth to polish the pipe, Thanks.

John

In addition I would also take the file or sand cloth and smooth the bur off the end of the pipe. A slip on spout, (see image) has a "O" ring that can be rolled out of position if caught by the bur. Most of our complaints about slip on spouts leaking out the back can be traced back to a Bur in the pipe that rolled the "O" ring back out of position. Good luck, Tom

In addition I would also take the file or sand cloth and smooth the bur off the end of the pipe. A slip on spout, (see image) has a "O" ring that can be rolled out of position if caught by the bur. Most of our complaints about slip on spouts leaking out the back can be traced back to a Bur in the pipe that rolled the "O" ring back out of position. Good luck, Tom

Hi speedball1,

That is the one I just removed from the pipe. It uses a set screw.
21850

Half of water comes out from the spout, and other half goes to shower head. It just likes the universal one I bought from home depot. Below is the new one I will install:
21851

As you can see, the end part is tighten by an O-ring screw, not a set screw.

Appreciated for all of you for the helps.

Nice unit...

Are you up and running yet?

"Half of water comes out from the spout, and other half goes to shower head" this sounds like a diverter problem in addition to a wrecker pipe.

Hi Bob...

You're right... That's why he replaced the old one with that new sexy diverter spout above... ;)

Hopefully up and running now!

Hi Bob...

You're right...That's why he replaced the old one with that new sexy diverter spout above...;)

Hopefully up and running now!

Hi ballengerb1/massplumber2008,

massplumber2008 got the point. That is the reason I have to to replace the spout. The original one is Delta (Don't know the model #), the second one is an "UNIVERSAL" one I got from home depot. I hope the "sexy" one will work. ;) I don't get it yet. I will keep you guys update.

I am glad I found this web site. Thank you guys for all your helps.

You could also extend this pipe, solder male adapter to it and use spout that screws onto threaded end...

You could also extend this pipe, solder male adapter to it and use spout that screws onto threaded end.....

Yes, Milo Dolezal.

That is my last option. I don't really want to cut the pipe.

Thank you.