So I just bought a house from the mid-twenties and it has a tub to match. I cannot afford to waterproof the bathroom yet and have an actual shower put in. the spout on my tub is one of those short, stubby, iron spouts that bell out at the bottom. Right now, to get me by, I have a rubber tube clamped to the spout with piping and a shower hose connected to an actual shower head. It works for now but the clamp pops off once in a while and it's really annoying. My question is... would you recommend I attempt removing the old tub spout to replace it with one that has a real temporary shower attachment? I'm afraid of breaking the pipe behind the spout due to it's age and the fact that it's iron. What do you think? The best part about all this is that this is the LEAST of my plumbing problems.

What do you have it clamped on with? Try using a radiator clamp to hold it on I've done this with quite a few situations. Works most of the time for me, just be careful to snug it up tight enough but not to tight to bend the metal. Good Luck.

It's one of those rubber tubes you find at home depot with the socket wrench screw clamps on both ends. I guess the clamp just isn't strong enough. The side clamped to the spout is fine but the other end that's clamped to the piping pops loose. Maybe I have the water pressure too high also...

I think I'd try to tighten it up, because as you stated in your question the old pipes can be pretty fragile and I also think it would be hard to adapt a new fixture to your old setup unless you want to redo everything that is connected to the pipes, just my advice I'm not a plumbing expert but have worked on quite a bit of plumbing.

Hi Guys:

Hey Mike... pipe is not iron at the tub spout... it better not be (you would get rusty water every time you turned on spout... right?).

I am pretty sure the nipple is either galvanized or brass. The point is that I have been at this 26 years and I have only had trouble getting one old tub spout out/off. So, if you dare.. I say you get an 18" wrench and turn the spout off counterclockwise... Of course, there is always remote chance pipe will snap off... but... well, like I said... I bet you it will come off easy. Tell me, what is on the back side of this tub valve? Is there a closet behind this tub that will allow you to access it for pipes if need, too? OR is it another finished bathroom..?

If tub spout spins off, then can add a tub spout with shower adapter on it (see pics... can purchase at PlumbingWorld - Shop wisely, choose well. )

Up to you... but old stuff is pretty strong. Let me know your thoughts.. answer MY questions... Mark.


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I've added a stronger clamp and so far it's holding up but I might try to take the spout off since it won't hold forever and I need something that will last me a couple months. There is an access panel in the next room where I can see the pipes. They aren't in great condition like the rest of the pipes in this house. Problem is if I break the spout or the pipe behind it I better make sure I have some free time that day to fix it. I'll see what I can do... thanks everyone!

Mike.. If you can see the pipe from behind then a friend can probably reach in there with a wrench or a pair os pliers and hold against you as you attempt to loosen the spout. Certainly increases odds of successful removal! Let us know.