How to Replace a Bathtub Spout

Cutaway photos testify how to supercede the three most mutual types of bathtub spouts when they are leaking or broken.

Time

An hour or less

Complication

Beginner

Price

Less than $xx

Introduction

Replacing a broken bathtub spout is a simple, inexpensive project. In this article, we'll evidence y'all the most common types of spouts, and how to supervene upon them. Fifty-fifty if you've never tackled a plumbing projection before, yous can handle replacing the spout. And don't worry. You lot don't need any special skills or plumbing tools.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Nipples
  • Silicone caulk
  • Spout
  • Thread tape

Project pace-by-step (3)

Step 1

How to supervene upon a tub spout

Unscrew the former nipple

Unscrew

Unscrew the former nipple with a pipe wrench. If the nipple is too short to take hold of with a wrench, use an "internal" pipage wrench ($10).

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Step 2

Install the new nipple

Install

Wrap both ends of the new nipple with thread tape and screw it into the fitting within the wall. Seal around it with silicone caulk and screw on the new spout. Bathtub spouts can go bad in 3 ways: First, the tub spout diverter can clothing out so information technology no longer blocks the water menstruum and sends h2o to the shower head. 2d, the threads inside the spout can cleft or corrode where the spout screws onto the pipe. H2o tin then trickle along the pipe and drip inside the wall. Finally, the spout's finish tin can flake off or corrode.

Replacement is the solution to any of these problems. A new spout ($10 to $xx) and everything else you might need are available at hardware stores and domicile centers. But earlier y'all buy a new spout, determine what type you demand. First look nether the spout. If you see a setscrew (Photograph A), y'all have a "sideslip-on" spout.

The setscrew might be smaller and harder to run across than the ane shown hither; you may need a flashlight to spot it. Replacing a slip-on spout is easy: Just loosen the setscrew (ordinarily with a hex wrench) and pull the spout off the copper piping that protrudes from the wall. Twist the spout as you pull and be gentle so you don't loosen any pipe connections inside the wall. Then slide on the new spout and tighten the setscrew.

If the spout doesn't have a setscrew, information technology's a screw-on spout (Photos B and C). Twist the old spout counterclockwise to remove it. If the pipe that protrudes from the wall is copper with a threaded plumbing fixtures (Photo B), simply cutting off the plumbing fixtures with a tubing cutter ($ten) and install a new slip-on spout (Photo A). If the pipe coming out of the wall is steel (Photograph C), you need a new spiral-on spout.

Ideally, the new spout will fit perfectly onto the old piping. Only at that place's a skillful risk that the pipe protrudes too far or not far enough. There's also a chance that the threads are too corroded for yous to screw on a new spout. Either fashion, you lot'll have to remove the old pipage (Photograph 1) and screw in a new pipe of the correct length (Photo 2). Short sections of threaded pipage (called "nipples") are commonly available in 1-in. increments. They cost less than $ii each, then buy a couple of different lengths and save yourself a trip back to the shop.

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Step 3

Spout types

Slip-on spouts

Slip

Slip-on spouts slide over one/2-in. copper pipe and spike with a setscrew. This "universal" version likewise has threads inside, and then it can screw onto threaded pipe.

Screw-on spouts

Screw

Screw-on spouts have threads deep inside. They can connect to a copper threaded plumbing fixtures or to steel piping.

Spiral-on spouts with threads at the back cease

spouts

Screw-on spouts may take threads at the back end. Nigh come with a bushing and then they fit either i/two-in. or 3/iv-in. piping.

These are the three most mutual types of spouts.

Tip:

Plumbers tell usa that leg-shaving is the leading cause of tub spout problem. The spout makes a user-friendly footrest for shaving, simply that can damage the tub spout diverter or loosen pipe connections.

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Originally Published: Nov 20, 2019