tub spout with diverter - leaking behind the wall

[Greg F]

Previously had a tub spout (with diverter "gate"? in it) to make the shower work. It didn't divert all the water - and made a whistling noise when showering. Bought a new one and replaced. These spouts go straight onto just a straight piece of copper pipe (slip on type?). Anyways - the original problem was fixed - but now I think it is actually leaking behind the wall when showering (we are seeing water dripping from the ceiling in the room below the tub). Anyone have experience with the problem? Seems to make sense that if the shutoff gate now works better- but the slip on part is not 100% waterproof - then it would now leak behind the wall.

As an FYI - I used some plumber putter on the spout where it connects to the plastic wall - because the old one had that too. I also didn't caulk around the spout (was going to do tha eventually) - but the amount of water leaking seems to be more than could just leak from the outside of the spout into the wall.

With the striaght slip on spouts with diverter gates - what is supposed to make the watertight? Are there "O" rings in there? Maybe just go back and buy a different one (the one I got was from Lowes - maybe try home depot?).

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Greg F]

Not to answer my own question - but I think I found a big part of the problem. #1 the copper pipe was very dirty - so I cleaned it with steel wool. #2. The spout seems to be actually designed to "leak" - but it was supposed to go back into the tub. The plumbers putty I had used probably made more of it go back into the wall rather than allow it back into the tub. #3 The hole for the copper pipe was a lot larger than the pipe - so this also allowed water back into the wall easier. I took a piece of plastic - cut it round - then like a doughnut - to fit the pipe - so that the large hole is now more or less covered by the plastic. #4 In the spout is an O-ring. I coated it with waterproof grease. However - I think this spout is pretty cheap - and the fit is not very tight. I will try to find a better one. The amout of water that is coming out from the back of the spout next to the wall seems to be too much to me - but maybe someone can answer that - how much is too much? Since I now see they are desigend to leak - it makes more sense (because I couldn't imaging how too pipes slip on -even with an O ring - could really truely hold much pressure. In any case - I think I'll be back in business soon.

Still appreciate any feedback from people having similar experience.

thanks

[Speedy Jim]

The pipe joint to the spout should not leak. Spout should fit tightly to pipe and the O-ring should make a good seal without doing anything else. Get another spout.

You must caulk the spout to the wall to prevent water splashing during showering from running behind. The neat way is to apply the caulk to the back of the spout and then push it on till the caulk squeezes out.

Jim

[Bob]

I had the same problem -- when using the shower, water would leak into the wall. The spout was designed to go over the copper pipe stub and seal with an O-ring and was held in place with a setscrew. Unfortunately, the setscrew bent the pipe stub out of round making a good seal impossible. Adding insult to injury, the previous owner smeared lots of caulk in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the leak. The ultimate solution was to scrape away the caulk and solder on a pipe extension with a threaded fitting to a new spout assembly. Fortunately I got the pipe length right the first time. The leftover caulking was enough to generate lots of smoke and trigger the fire alarm during soldering. But once it was complete and all the soot cleaned up, I never had a leaking problem again.

[Oren]

The tub overflow pipe has a similar drain ("weep/drain hole"?). Never caulk all the way around. Forget the water is on in the tub and YOU will get a flood.

I've replace a few tub spouts... took one back for exchange.

[Oren]

Thanks.

It sounds easy, neat and clean. I will try this trick in the future.

[Greg F]

Maybe that was my problem too - because i got another one (from a plumbing supply store - but it still leaks a litte at the back (i.e. out of the slip over o-ring joint) - but at least now its in the tub (i hope all is in tub!!!). I like the idea of converting to screw on

- and if I have a problem again - I will try that. Any tips on getting the pipe length just right?

[Greg F]

Yeah - I wish the spout would connect to that same drain - but unfortunately it does not. It runs back into the tub (when working properly) - but the large hole around the pipe allowed a lot of water into the wall. Hoping its fixed with my plastic cover to the wall.

thanks!