[testdriver1]

Hi all,
This is a great form! I did a search and read as much as I could but I still have a few questions that I would appreciate your expertise and comments:

- My bath tub shower spout looks like this one:

Remodeling : Replace a Bathtub Spout : Home & Garden Television

The lever pulls up to direct the water to the shower head, while pushing down directs the water to the spout. Now the level is stuck at the down position and wouldn't move a bit. My questions are:

- Is replacing the whole spout the only option? Is there a way to remove the lever and the plunger (or diverter) inside to clean it up? I saw lots of hard water deposits inside.

- With my finger, I could feel that there is a hole underneath the spout so I'm guessing it's the "slip on" type (instead of screw-on type). Am I correct? Is there a type of spout that's screw-on with a hole underneath? I'm going to use a mirror to look in the hole today after work.

- Is this type of spout a one-side-fits-all type that I can get at my local Homedepot or do they have different "types"?

- If it's a slip-on type, do I just remove the screw from the hole underneath and then pull the spout straight out? That's it?

Thank you very much in advance. I would appreciate any help greatly.
-mike-

[speedball1]

Hi Mike,

Sounds like you have the same spout that you show on the link you gave me.
This spout slips over a 1/2" copper pipe. Since they are so inexpensive and are so easy to replace just replace it. All you have to do is follow the directions the link provides good luck, Tom

[testdriver1]

Thank you for the reply. Can I turn it around to make room to remove the screw like what was showed in the link or will I risk to twist the water pipe?

-mike-

[speedball1]

Thank you for the reply. Can I turn it around to make room to remove the screw like what was showed in the link or will I risk to twist the water pipe?

-mike-

Good morning Mike,

Grab the spout and give it a twist. As a rule it will turn so that you can access the Allen Head screw. But even if you can't, just loosen the Allen Head and pull it out. Good luck, Tom

[testdriver1]

Thanks again for the reply.

Last night, I used a dental mirror to look underneath. There was a hole
But I didn't see any screw. I saw threads. So I twisted it counter-clockwise
And it came out. The spout has a male pipe thread sticking out that goes into the wall's water pipe that has a female thread. I'm going to take it to Homedepot to buy a new one today.

I'll just need to get a new one with male pipe thread that has the same
Length as the old one, right? Do they sell spout with different length
Of male pipe thread?

Thanks again.
-mike-

[testdriver1]

I went to Homedepot and found a spout that takes a 1/2" (male-to-male) tubing so that one end goes inside the spout and the other ends goes to the wall's female thread. The problem is that the original one was 4.5" long galvanized and I like to install a brass pipe and they don't have the length I need (4.5" long).

Can anyone recommend a reputable online plumbing supply that I can order?

Thanks!

-mike-

[speedball1]

I went to Homedepot and found a spout that takes a 1/2" (male-to-male) tubing so that one end goes inside the spout and the other ends goes to the wall's female thread. The problem is that the original one was 4.5" long galvanized and I like to install a brass pipe and they don't have the length I need (4.5" long).

Can anyone recommend a reputable online plumbing supply that I can order?

Thanks!

-mike-

Hey Mike,

If all you need is a nipple 4 1/2" long,( it can be galvanized as well as brass) I can make your day. 4 1/2" is a standard size for nipples so you should have no problem picking one up if you call around. However, let me give you some options. If you can't find a nipple in the size you wish you can take a longer nipple into a plumbung shop and have it cut and threaded to size. If that doesn't grab you you can take 2 1/2" male copper adapters and cut a piece of 1/2" coppere and cut to size, allowing for the adapters. Don't forget to wrap the threads with Teflon Tape before installing. Good luck, Tom

[testdriver1]

Tom, thank you so much for your quick reply. Yes, now I only need a 4.5" brass nippe (male-to-male.) They do have the galvanized in 4.5" but not brass. Since I saw some dirty corrosion in my old tube, I assume that I can replace it with brass to make it cleaner?

I'll try OSH and ACE today after work. If not, any online site that you recommend?

Thanks again!

-mike-

[speedball1]

Tom, thank you so much for your quick reply. Yes, now I only need a 4.5" brass nippe (male-to-male.) They do have the galvanized in 4.5" but not brass. Since I saw some dirty corrosion in my old tube, I assume that I can replace it with brass to make it cleaner?

I'll try OSH and ACE today after work. If not, any online site that you recommend?

Thanks again!

-mike-

A local plumbing shop would be more liable to have the nipple you're seeking. Good luck, Tom

[testdriver1]

I went to ACE Hardware and they do have the 4.5" brass nipple so I bought one and already installed the new spout with lots of Teflon tape. Now a last dumb question:

The original spout, even though it was screwed on, there was a little slot on the under side where it met the bath tub wall. The new one that I bought doesn't. Does this slot have any purpose? (like draining any possible water sipping from the diverter or something?) Do I need to dremel a hole underneath myself?

Thanks again!
-mike-

[speedball1]

I went to ACE Hardware and they do have the 4.5" brass nipple so I bought one and already installed the new spout with lots of Teflon tape. Now a last dumb question:

The original spout, even though it was screwed on, there was a little slot on the under side where it met the bath tub wall. The new one that I bought doesn't. Does this slot have any purpose? (like draining any possible water sipping from the diverter or something?) Do I need to dremel a hole underneath myself?

Thanks again!
-mike-

Hi Mike, Good job!

"Do I need to dremel a hole underneath myself?"
No, That's just a weep hole for condensate and such. What you can do to make your installation look more professional is to purchase a small tube of Dap White Tub and Tile Caulk and grout the crack between the tile and the spout. Do not run caulk on the bottom and the crack you leave will serve for a weep hole if needed. Cheers, Tom

[testdriver1]

Thanks Tom, I just did what you suggested. I bought a tube of transparent caulk and sealed the top part of the spout.
Thanks for all the help and I truly appreciate that!
-mike-