Yikes. I was installing the tub spout and the copper stub-out was way too long.
I measure and measured again and cut it too short. It doesn't extend far enough
Into the spout to seal. Can I use silicone or something? What others options
To I have? The spout is the type you described in a forum I was reading: chrome
Over plastic spout that secures with a screw. The brand is Danze if that helps
At all.
Thanks for any advice.

If the stubout's too short for the set screw to bite into the copper stubout then you have a major problem. (1) you can open up the wall and solder in a new 1/2" copper stub out or (2) you can cut the stubout back far enough cold solder on a 1/2" copper to male thread adapter so about about 3/8ths" of threads stick out beyond the tile and install a metal screw on spout


How many times around the pipe should I go with the tape to make sure a shower arm won't leak but that it isn't so tight that I can't turn the shower arm around enough times to disappear the threads into the receiving pipe? Thanks

One or two turns against the direction of the threads ought to do it.

Good luck on both. Tom

I used just two rounds of tape and it started okay but it still got too tight for me and the shower arm got stuck at the wrong angle. So I tried to use a pliers near the wall so it wouldn't show if I scratched the chrome and I even used some rubbery drawer liner to keep the plier threads from being directly against the chrome but I slipped because it was so tight and scratched the chrome. Now I can't move it either direction. Is it time to call a plumber or what?

The stub-out protrudes 1 inch from the wall so it does go into the spout and I could tighten the screw but it doesn't go far enough to slide through the O ring and it leaks at the wall. Will tightening the screw tighten the spout around the pipe and stop the leak? I thought it was just to keep it in place.

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Originally Posted by myfathersdaughter

I used just two rounds of tape and it started out okay but it still got too tight for me and the shower arm got stuck at the wrong angle. so I tried to use a pliers near the wall so it wouldn't show if I scratched the chrome and I even used some rubbery drawer liner to keep the plier threads from being directly against the chrome but I slipped because it was so tight and scratched the chrome. now I can't move it either direction. is it time to call a plumber or what?

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"is it time to call a plumber" Not yet. Remove the showerhead and stick a screwdriver in the pipe for leverage. Because there's not much pressure on a shower arm thread it doesn't have to be super tight. If you can't turn it any more clockwise back it off a turn and try it, Cheers Tom

QUOTE=myfathersdaughter]the stub-out protrudes 1 inch from the wall so it does go into the spout and I could tighten the screw but it doesn't go far enough to slide through the O ring and it leaks at the wall. Will tightening the screw tighten the spout around the pipe and stop the leak? I thought it was just to keep it in place.[/QUOTE]

It is just to keep it in place. Yiu might not be in as much trouble as you think you are. I've got a hunch that you've pushed the "O" ring out of place. Check the spout,(see image) and if the "O" ring's out of place place it back where it should be. It should be just ahead of the set screw.
"O" rings have a nasty habit of hanging up on the rough edges of the copper pipe. Take and file off the burrs and rough edges. Now coat the "O" ring with a little Vasoline or petroleum jellyand see if it goes on now. Good luck, Tom