Friday, May 23, 2014

Anybody changed a bathtub faucet spout?

I need to replace mine, and it's supposed to screw off, but I can't get it to turn.  Is it unusual for one to need a strap wrench or something to get it started, or am I about to do something dumb?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

How old?
For several decades, bathtub spouts have consisted of a stub of copper pipe sticking out of the wall, and then the pretty chrome bit just slides on, and is likely held in place with a set screw.

If it's more than a few decades old, you need someone smarter than me.

Phelps said...

Ditto. Check for a set screw, if there isn't one, twist away.

Six said...

They're usually a screw in on anything made in the last few decades. But. The problem is corrosion. They can get to the point that the dis-similar metals (chrome steel and copper usually) can become almost welded together. What you're chancing is twisting off the copper pipe behind the wall. If that happens it's tear out the wall time. If it's bad try some WD40 up the spout with plenty of time to penetrate and work it back and forth to try and get it to loosen. I gotta warn you that if it's gotten too bad it almost certainly won't work. If you must then you must. If it's not an immediate issue you may be better served leaving it alone until it's time for a bathroom redo. Then you can tear it all out and start from scratch.

Sorry Firehand. There's just no easy solution.

Jess said...

If you can't place a backup wrench on the pipe in the wall, don't get too rough with trying to remove the spout.

If you have a dremel tool, whittle away at the spout a little at a time, until you expose the part where it't threaded. Cut that part just to the top of the threads and you'll eventually have enough removed to place a little pressure, which will complete the cut and allow the expanded female threads of the spout to release from the nipple protruding through the wall.

It's time consuming, but beats hell out of tearing out a wall.

Anonymous said...

PB Blaster will work well also.....But,,,,I would be real careful especially on a Holiday weekend.....A plumber can be really expensive during that time....

Firehand said...

Good advice all 'round, thanks.

Not a rush matter; long as I can run water to bathe with, I'm good. If it won't loosen up with a big of wiggling, I'll go the dremel route.