Ask Me Help Desk - Leak at Bath Tub Spout

We remodeled our bathroom a ways back. All new plumbing. My wife noticed a couple of months later, that we had a leak. The bathroom is exposed to the basement which is good. I could see the leak was coming from the kohler twin ell. The twin ell has a 1/2 inch pipe coming out of it to the bath tub spout. I figured it would be as easy as unscrewing the 1/2 inch pipe, taping it, and screwing it back in. The leak only occurs if the shower is turned on. If we are just running water no leak. The twin ell comes with a 3/4 inch hole and a 1/2 step down. After several attempts and no luck, it appears that the leak is coming from around the step down. I can't seem to get the step down out... Any ideas? Trying not to call the plumber as now it is my problem as I tried to fix it. Oh, and even though the bottom is exposed I can't get to the twin ell very easily (out of reach). I can only see it through the 3/4 inch sub-floor.

So far, I have removed the spout, re-tapped a 1/2 inch piece of threaded pipe, put it into the twin ell, and put a 1/2 inch cap on the end of the pipe, turned the water on. This gets the shower going, and I can clearly see it leaking through the hole for the pipe through the tile. It appears to be coming from around the 3/4 inch to 1/2 inch step down in the picture on the website below. Drip, drip, drip...

Help is appreciated!

Jeff

PS: Kohler website for the twin ell.

"After several attempts and no luck, it appears that the leak is coming from around the step down. I can't seem to get the step down out..... Any ideas? Trying not to call the plumber as now it is my problem as I tried to fix it. Oh, and even though the bottom is exposed I can't get to the twin ell very easily (out of reach). I can only see it through the 3/4 inch sub-floor."

That "step down's" called a bushing and for those hard to get at nuts and fittings I use a basin wrench, (see image). Pick one up at your hardware store. Good luck, Tom

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffreyj900

We remodeled our bathroom a ways back. All new plumbing. My wife noticed a couple of months later, that we had a leak. The bathroom is exposed to the basement which is good. I could see the leak was coming from the kohler twin ell. The twin ell has a 1/2 inch pipe coming out of it to the bath tub spout. I figured it would be as easy as unscrewing the 1/2 inch pipe, taping it, and screwing it back in. The leak only occurs if the shower is turned on. If we are just running water no leak. The twin ell comes with a 3/4 inch hole and a 1/2 step down. After several attempts and no luck, it appears that the leak is coming from around the step down. I can't seem to get the step down out..... Any ideas? Trying not to call the plumber as now it is my problem as I tried to fix it. Oh, and even though the bottom is exposed I can't get to the twin ell very easily (out of reach). I can only see it through the 3/4 inch sub-floor.

So far, I have removed the spout, re-tapped a 1/2 inch piece of threaded pipe, put it into the twin ell, and put a 1/2 inch cap on the end of the pipe, turned the water on. This gets the shower going, and I can clearly see it leaking through the hole for the pipe through the tile. It appears to be coming from around the 3/4 inch to 1/2 inch step down in the picture on the website below. Drip, drip, drip......

Help is appreciated!

Jeff

PS: Kohler website for the twin ell.

Thanks for the response Speedball1! I picked one up today. Very cool tool! However, after many attempts there just doesn't seem to be enough of a ridge on the bushing to get a good grip using the Basin Wrench. I will try some more. I also tried a pair of needle nosed vise grips. I got the hole in the tile big enough that I could get a good grip on the bushing using them. That bushing is IN there, and I didn't have any luck with them either. Is there any way to leave it and just seal that sucker shut from the outside? Might be time to call a professional...

You might as well make yourself a larger hole, the plumber will likely do that too. You might still be able to reach to bushing yourself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffreyj900

Thanks for the response Speedball1! I picked one up today. Very cool tool! However, after many attempts there just doesn't seem to be enough of a ridge on the bushing to get a good grip using the Basin Wrench. I will try some more. I also tried a pair of needle nosed vise grips. I got the hole in the tile big enough that I could get a good grip on the bushing using them. That bushing is IN there, and I didn't have any luck with them either. Is there any way to leave it and just seal that sucker shut from the outside? Might be time to call a professional.....

You might also try an 'Ez-Out', provided you have the depth or the right size socket and extension to attach to the end of it.