I have just installed a bathtub surround. Replaced the pipes with pex, and installed a new faucet/shower, replaced the drywall and installed and caulked the new tub surround. I'm at the end and have a weird plastic attachment on the tub spout - the local "experts" at the home builders store have never seen it. It's supposed to fit on a copper pipe. The pipe from my tub wall is 3/4" round threaded but only sticks out from the wall half an inch or so. If I remove the plastic fitting from inside the spout I need another 3 and 1/2 inches, which I've tried to do but won't work. You can only buy 3" and 4". 3 is too short, 4 is too long. If I put other attachments/connectors then the spout sticks out from the wall too much.

My other issue is that the threading from the plastic spout insert is ever-so-slightly smaller than the standard 1/2" pipe and I can't get a brass fitting to twist in there. Do I have any options? A friend suggested using Pex but from my readings, I've gathered that's not a good solution - because it will probably cause leaks from the shower head.

I'm stuck and at a stand-still and don't want to rip everything out for this stupid thing. Any suggestions?

3/4 brass nipples come in half inch increments, so I would remove the old nipple and get the correct length nipple. So I guess what I'm saying , is yes, they do make 3 1/2 inch nipples, if that is what you need, it should be easy to locate at any plumbing store. Hope I'm reading this right. Good luck.

The biggest prob is that brass/copper won't fit the threading in the spout. The plastic one works great but in order to use it I have to solder a new piece. And in order to do that I have to rip out what I've already done. Need a way around this...

Hi Mikey...

Does your spout look like my first picture below? If so, then this will not work with 3/4" threaded pipe as you already know.

You could solder an adapter and stub out the copper pipe, but why go the trouble when they sell a tub spout for your exact setup...3/4" threaded pipe stubbed out 1/2" or so... see last image. These are sold at all plumbing supply stores.

Let me know if this sounds reasonable...

Mark

Mark! This is EXACTLY my problem thank you. The second picture is my previous tap the first is my new one. BUT the tap that was purchased was part of a set that is square and cost a pretty penny. A replacement won't match. Any other solutions?

Hi Mikey:

Only other solution is to remove the nipple and solder up a 3/4" copper male x 1/2" copper adapter onto a length of 1/2" copper pipe and then use some pipe dope on the threads and screw the new pipe/adapter into the fitting behind the wall.

Remember here, that the tub spout isn't really under pressure per se, and you would only need to tighten the pipe in soooo tight.

Here, you could solder on an extra long piece of pipe so you can crank on the pipe a bit and then cut off the excess/damaged area and should be able to slip the new spout on easily (remember to debur the copper pipe end and use a little silicone plumber's grease on the pipe to reduce friction on the o-ring as it passes over the copper tubing).

Back to you...

Mark