bath tub faucet repair

[jay]

I recently tried to replace my sisters tub faucet because the diverter valve let more water out of the faucet than it puts up to the shower head. I've replace a few before but they all twisted off and the new ones threaded right back on. However, this one was not like that. I tried twisting it off but it wouldn't budge. They have really bad hard water so I grabbed a screw driver and stuck it in the faucet and twisted. I got really lucky because the faucet broke off with 3 inches of copper tubing sticking out of the wall. This one looks like it was sweated on from the back side. I found a replacement faucet that would fit so everythings went ok. In her other bathroom there is another faucet that's just the same. I'd prefer not to break it off, risking the chance of breaking it off in the wall. Any suggestions on how to replace these type of faucets?

[Jack Hammer]

The tub spout is screwed on but the female threads are in the tub spout. You can try breaking the spout with a large pliers to get access to the copper that sticks out and then extend the copper out to the correct length after the spout is removed. I have replaced many of these and there not easy.Twisting the the worst thing. you don't want the pipe to break off in the wall.

[jay]

Thanks for the suggestion Jack Hammer,

One more question, Are the faucets worth using that slide over the copper pipe and secure with a small screw on the bottom? Or should I find a faucet that screws on like the old one. Also, would cutting the old one off with a hack saw work?

[Jack Hammer]

Yes and Yes. If both bathrooms were made at the same time the tub spouts should be the same.