How to Replace Bathtub Spouts - Bathtub Paradise

A bathtub spout can last for many years, depending on its quality, type, and frequency of use. At one point, though, you’ll have to replace your bathtub faucet. How do you replace a bathtub spout? And how can you tell when your fixture needs replacement?

A spout may leak, wasting significant amounts of water due to fittings getting loose or worn out. It may also be because, over some time, the finish of the spout may corrode and peel off due to exposure to cleaning chemicals and water.

Bathtub spouts are categorized according to installation, appearance, use, size, and material. Removing and replacing a bathtub is a relatively simple process, provided you have the right tools and this article to guide you through.

There are five types of bathroom spouts, these are:

To identify the bathspout, you will have to look for a knob at the top of your tap, then bend over to see if you will find a screw underneath it. You have adiverter bathtubif you see a small knob at the top of the bathtub spout. If there is no knob, then that is anon-diverter tub spout.

If the spout is connected to the water supply using a small screw underneath it, it is aslip-on spout. The lack of a screw on the spout indicates athreaded spout. A bathtub spout with a brass adapter is not easy to identify. You will need to remove the faucet to see if you have an adapter or not.

Bathtub spouts with a brass adapter can either be slip-on, threaded diverters, or non-diverter.

When replacing a bathtub spout, you will need:

This type of tub spout is pretty common in almost every home.

A diverter tub spout has a mechanism inside that allows water to flow upward. The upward flow creates the necessary pressure to start a shower. A diverter tub spout features include a button held up or attached to the wall to divert water from the bath to the storm.

Diverter tub spouts come in different polishes, styles, and finishes. You can find a tub spout made from chrome, brass, aluminum, and other materials.

The type of tub spout with the diverter feature you choose depends on your design style and aesthetics. The more exotic or fancy the material you want in the tub spout, the more expensive the tub spout will be.

After years of use, mineral deposits, corrosions, and debris accumulated on the spout can cause the shower diverter to get stuck. Thus, you will struggle to pull it up or down. While one can fix a stuck shower diverter, a replacement is a better and safer option.

How to replace a Diverter Bathtub Spout

Before the replacement, ensure you purchase the correct replacement from the store; otherwise, it will not fit. Then do the following:

The towel will catch any dropped screws and protect the tub enamel from dropped tools and parts.

Use a hex key to remove the setscrew and pull the spout off the supply pipe. If your tub spout does not have a set screw, insert a heavy-duty screwdriver into the spout opening and twist it counterclockwise to remove it from the supply pipe.

Take the measurement and the original tub spout to a plumbing supply store. Doing this will ensure you get the correct replacement spout with the proper diverter location that fits your supply pipe.

Before installing the new spout and diverter, wipe the lines on the end of the supply with a rag. Wrap the threads with two or three layers of thread-seal tape. Use silicone caulk to seal the supply pipe where it enters the wall.

Once you do this, tighten the setscrew to secure it. If your spout screws on, slide it over the pipe and turn it clockwise with your hand.

By doing this, you are protecting the new spout. Then use the pliers to tighten the faucet to the pipe.

Note: Do not over-tighten the spout as you could damage the wall and the pipe.

They are installed in bathtubs where the only water flows through the spout and never diverts to the showerhead. A non-diverter bathtub spout is installed in the bathroom with two faucets, one for the bathtub and the showerhead.

A non-diverter tub spout would be found in pedestal bathtubs or other types of antique baths that do not have or use a shower feature. These tub spouts may use fancier materials, including glass and gold plated, and can be more expensive than the more practical styled diverter tub spouts that are more commonly used.

How to replace Non-Diverter Bathtub Spouts

Installing a non-diverter bathtub spout is pretty easy and can be done just like one of a diverter bathtub spout. Most tub spouts designed for today’s bathtubs slide into place and can be adhered with a bead of silicone caulk applied with a caulk gun.

A ring can be placed over the tub spout to hide any unsightly caulk markings, and your tub spout, whether the diverter type or non-diverter type, is ready to be used.

Because its design usually does not require many tools to install aside from a caulk gun and silicone caulk if necessary. In many cases, you slide the tub spout into place, ready for use.

A threaded bathtub spout is also known as a screw-on spout. It does not feature a screw but is instead threaded on the pipe. It would help if you were very careful when installing or removing these spouts so that you don’t strip the threads on the line or remove the finish with a wrench. There are three types of threaded bathtub spouts, as explained below:

This spout can be used in a bathtub valve without a shower or one with a shower diverter built into the tub valve.

A rear-threaded, also known as a wall-ended bathtub spout, is more versatile than a front-end threaded spout. It can be connected to a ½ or ¾-inch spout stub-out nipple at the wall end of the fixture. Rear-threaded tub spouts can be used with the usual shower diverters or a second outlet that allows hand-held showers.

Telescoping threaded bathtub spouts, as their name suggests, affords you some flexibility by letting you make adjustments of up to 1 inch from the finished wall. You can therefore push them away or towards the division within the range of 1 inch. They attach to ½ or ¾ nipple.

How to replace a Threaded Bathtub Spout

The brass adapter is threaded, slipped-on, or soldered on the pipe. The front of the brass adapter is threaded, while the rear has an O-ring to provide a water seal. When the adapter is connected to the pipe, the spout is then threaded on the adapter. The design allows you to adjust the spout position depending on the status of the brass adapter on the pipe. Below is the procedure on how to remove and install Slip-On Bathtub Spout with a Brass Adapter:

How to replace a slip-On Bathtub Spout with a Brass Adapter

How to replace a Threaded Bathtub Spout with a Brass Adapter

Slip-on bathtub spouts are connected to the water supply line using a screw at the bottom of the faucet. They are the easiest to remove and install, and the only tool needed is an Allen wrench to loosen or tighten the screw.

Ideally, they are installed on a ½-inch water supply pipe, usually copper, which must be of the correct length without dents or burrs. One must be very careful while removing the old one to prevent damaging it. A burred water pipe will often cause leaks.

How to replace a slip-on Bathtub spout

Choosing the correct type of tub spout for your bathroom comes down to your need for a shower or a luxurious bathtub to soak in.

If you have a faulty bathtub spout, replacing it is the solution. Since there are various bathtub spouts, knowing your tub’s correct measurement, type, and size is essential.

As we’ve learned above, it is relatively easy to replace a bathtub spout as long as you follow the correct procedure.

Also, remember to take considerable caution not to interfere with or damage the waterline while removing or fixing the spout. Take care that not much pressure is put on the waterline. Also, turn off the water supply, so water wastage is minimal.