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-   -   Difficulty removing tub spout (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=402042)

  • Oct 2, 2009, 04:29 PM
    mattb1
    Difficulty removing tub spout
    Hi everyone,

    I am trying to remove a tub spout without much luck. I looked underneath and couldn't find a set screw. It is tight and does spin with a fair amount of force, but does not come off. It sounds like it is clicking when I am spinning it.

    Any ideas before I call a plumber out?

    Thanks,

    Matt
  • Oct 2, 2009, 04:32 PM
    Widdershins

    It sounds like you may have rotated it past the set screw.
  • Oct 2, 2009, 04:38 PM
    mattb1
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Widdershins View Post
    It sounds like you may have rotated it past the set screw.
    Thanks for the reply. On the bottom of the spout on the back there is an opening like 1/8 of an inch big. I got down in the tub and looked and couldn't see a set screw. I figured this fixture just twisted off.
  • Oct 2, 2009, 04:44 PM
    Widdershins

    If it just keeps spinning and doesn't unscrew out, then it is a slip on spout and there should be a set screw -- Another dead giveaway is the clicking sound you described in your first post.

    Keep rotating it slowly until you see the set screw -- Try to avoid being aggressive with it as you rotate it, lest you further damage the copper stub-out.
  • Oct 2, 2009, 04:58 PM
    mattb1
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Widdershins View Post
    If it just keeps spinning and doesn't unscrew out, then it is a slip on spout and there should be a set screw -- Another dead giveaway is the clicking sound you described in your first post.

    Keep rotating it slowly until you see the set screw -- Try to avoid being aggressive with it as you rotate it, lest you further damage the copper stub-out.
    Will do, I figured the opening was so small it was a weephole or something. Thank you.
  • Oct 2, 2009, 05:03 PM
    Widdershins
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mattb1 View Post
    Will do, I figured the opening was so small it was a weephole or something. Thank you.
    Would it be possible to upload a photo of the spout?
  • Oct 2, 2009, 05:27 PM
    Milo Dolezal

    Also, and to addition to the advice above: sometimes, you can pull on the spout and it will slide out.
  • Oct 2, 2009, 05:58 PM
    mattb1
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Widdershins View Post
    Would it be possible to upload a photo of the spout?
    OK:

    http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/415/dsc00519ew.jpg

    http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/5479/dsc00530pp.jpg
  • Oct 2, 2009, 05:59 PM
    mattb1
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal View Post
    Also, and to addition to the advice above: sometimes, you can pull on the spout and it will slide out.
    Tried and wouldn't budge. Thanks though!
  • Oct 2, 2009, 06:00 PM
    Milo Dolezal

    It looks like it unscrews . I don't see hole for set screw. Try to put channel locks around it and turn it CCW. See what it does...
  • Oct 3, 2009, 06:19 AM
    speedball1
    Quote:
    Keep rotating it slowly until you see the set screw -- Try to avoid being aggressive with it as you rotate it, lest you further damage the copper stub-out.
    Will do, I figured the opening was so small it was a weephole or something.
    Diverter spouts don't have weep holes. You have a slip on spout. Widdershins nailed it when he said,
    Quote:
    It sounds like you may have rotated it past the set screw.
    (see mage). Twist it to reveal the Allen Head Set Screw and loosen it and pull the spout free. Good luck, Tom
  • Oct 3, 2009, 06:43 AM
    Widdershins
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    Diverter spouts don't have weep holes. You have a slip on spout. Widdershins nailed it when he said, (see mage). Twist it to reveal the Allen Head Set Screw and loosen it and pull the spout free. Good luck, Tom
    I don't know, Tom, now that I've seen a photo of it I'm thinking it might be the Moen Château spout with soap tray. If it is, then it will be an IPS connection.
  • Oct 3, 2009, 07:31 AM
    afaroo
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal View Post
    It looks like it unscrews . I don't see hole for set screw. Try to put channel locks around it and turn it CCW. See what it does...
    I agree with Milo, if you don't see a small window and a set screw underneath, don't be afraid use a bigger channel lock turn it CCW turn the spout 180 degrees once again look if you see a cutout and see a set screw, remove the set screw and turn the spout CCW and CW, see if get loose some time it is just stuck on nipple, one other thing I have seen that set screw was missing and I assumed that it threaded type by turning the spout left and right it came loose.

    If it is not the slip type spout to use a bigger 18” Chanel lock you would have luck to remove is,

    And may I ask why would you remove the spout? Thanks.

    John
  • Oct 3, 2009, 07:40 AM
    mattb1
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by afaroo View Post
    I agree with Milo, if you don't see a small window and a set screw underneath, don't be afraid use a bigger channel lock turn it CCW turn the spout 180 degrees once again look if you see a cutout and see a set screw, remove the set screw and turn the spout CCW and CW, see if get loose some time it is just stuck on nipple, one other thing I have seen that set screw was missing and I assumed that it threaded type by turning the spout left and right it came loose.

    If it is not the slip type spout to use a bigger 18” Chanel lock you would have luck to remove is,

    And may I ask you would you remove the spout? Thanks.

    John
    Thanks for the information! I'll try again as it is really hard to see in that small hole.

    It is hard to see in the photo but it is cracked in the front and the diverter doesn't work as well as it should as a result.
  • Oct 3, 2009, 03:36 PM
    massplumber2008
    Hi Tom...

    Matt took a picture of the bottom of the spout in POST #8... ;)

    Matt will need to remove this by spinning counterclockwise (as pointed out by Milo) and he may need to jiggle the spout up and down and pull all at the same time to remove it. Sounds to me like the soldered joint or the threaded joint has come disconnected and is just stuck on and being stubborn.

    Matt, let us know...

    MARK

    .
  • Oct 3, 2009, 04:17 PM
    speedball1
    Thanks Mark,
    It didn't come up to where I could see the entire spout, I think you're right. It's a threaded spout that the adapter has cone unsoldered. If the spout's made of plastic I'd destroy the spout and see what's holding it from coming out. Cheers, Tom

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