How to Supplant a Bathtub Spout

Cutaway photos show how to replace the 3 most common types of bathtub spouts when they are leaking or broken.

Time

An 60 minutes or less

Complexity

Beginner

Toll

Less than $xx

Introduction

Replacing a broken bathtub spout is a elementary, inexpensive project. In this article, we'll show you lot the most common types of spouts, and how to supercede them. Even if you've never tackled a plumbing project before, you can handle replacing the spout. And don't worry. You don't need any special skills or plumbing tools.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Nipples
  • Silicone caulk
  • Spout
  • Thread tape

Project footstep-by-footstep (3)

Step ane

How to replace a tub spout

Unscrew the old nipple

Unscrew

Unscrew the old nipple with a piping wrench. If the nipple is also short to catch with a wrench, utilize an "internal" piping wrench ($ten).

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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 tin can get bad in three means: First, the tub spout diverter tin can wear out so information technology no longer blocks the water flow and sends water to the shower head. Second, the threads inside the spout can crack or corrode where the spout screws onto the pipage. Water can then trickle along the pipe and drip inside the wall. Finally, the spout'southward finish tin flake off or corrode.

Replacement is the solution to any of these issues. A new spout ($10 to $20) and everything else y'all might need are available at hardware stores and home centers. Just before you purchase a new spout, determine what type you demand. First expect under the spout. If you lot see a setscrew (Photo A), yous have a "slip-on" spout.

The setscrew might exist smaller and harder to run across than the 1 shown hither; you may need a flashlight to spot information technology. Replacing a slip-on spout is easy: Just loosen the setscrew (normally with a hex wrench) and pull the spout off the copper pipe that protrudes from the wall. Twist the spout as you pull and be gentle so you don't loosen any pipage connections inside the wall. Then slide on the new spout and tighten the setscrew.

If the spout doesn't have a setscrew, it's a screw-on spout (Photos B and C). Twist the old spout counterclockwise to remove it. If the pipage that protrudes from the wall is copper with a threaded plumbing fixtures (Photo B), simply cut off the fitting with a tubing cutter ($10) and install a new sideslip-on spout (Photo A). If the pipe coming out of the wall is steel (Photo C), you need a new screw-on spout.

Ideally, the new spout will fit perfectly onto the old pipe. Just there's a practiced chance that the pipe protrudes too far or non far plenty. In that location's also a take chances that the threads are too corroded for you to spiral on a new spout. Either manner, you'll have to remove the old pipe (Photo 1) and screw in a new pipe of the correct length (Photo 2). Short sections of threaded pipe (called "nipples") are commonly available in one-in. increments. They cost less than $2 each, and so buy a couple of dissimilar 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 1/2-in. copper piping and spike with a setscrew. This "universal" version also has threads within, so information technology can screw onto threaded piping.

Screw-on spouts

Screw

Screw-on spouts accept threads deep inside. They can connect to a copper threaded fitting or to steel pipe.

Spiral-on spouts with threads at the dorsum end

spouts

Screw-on spouts may have threads at the back cease. Most come with a bushing and so they fit either 1/2-in. or 3/4-in. pipe.

These are the iii well-nigh common types of spouts.

Tip:

Plumbers tell u.s.a. that leg-shaving is the leading crusade of tub spout problem. The spout makes a user-friendly footrest for shaving, merely that tin damage the tub spout diverter or loosen pipe connections.

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