House maintenance can feel like a frustrating job. Plumbing on your own often might feel stressful. Without proper guidance or knowledge, plumbing may feel like a real hassle. Although most parts feel easy to do, some may not. For example, removing stuck tub spout. “How to remove tub spout that is stuck?” It might seem challenging work sometimes. Proper instructions and the right tools can turn your stress into effortless work. Do not worry. In this article, I will guide you through step by step to the process of removing a stuck tub spout.
How difficult to remove a tub spout may ask? It depends on what kind of bathtub spout you own and how you have secured them. On the outside, most tub spouts look identical. Look underneath to figure out the type of tub spout you own. Use a torch/flashlight and look at the bottom.
Two types of faucets are available: Slip-on and threaded tub spout. To remove the stuck threaded spout, you need to twist the tub spout. Twist it off with your hand. Whereas for slip-on bath faucets you need to secure your set screw. You will find it at the bottom. In newer models of tub spouts, there is a slot with a set screw on the side. It is usually a flat screwdriver that you need to remove. First, check the exterior of the faucet. Once you find the set screw, loosen it up. Use an Allen wrench and loosen up the screw. It will slide off from the extended piece of the spout now. Pull it out from the wall.
In this post, I will guide you through every step of removing a stubborn tub spout in detail. Here, I shared my own experience.
The following section will help you find which type of tub spout you own.
Tub Spout Definition:
A tub/faucet spout is part of your shower /bathtub system. It oversees water flows into your shower straight from the water pipe.
Types of Tub Spouts:
Tub spouts have two main styles: The diverter and the non-divert style. Diverter-style tub spout allows water to flow into either the shower or the tub spout. It holds a diverter located on the tub faucet.
The non-divert style only allows water to flow right into the tub from the tub spout.
Within these two sets of varieties there are two types of attachments:
1.Slip-on tub spout.
2.Screw on(threaded) tub spout.
Slip-on bathtub faucets contain a set screw underneath the spout. These kinds of faucets are set onto a copper pipe. Thus, no threading is necessary for slip-on tub spouts.
Screw-on tub spout comes without any set screw. These kinds of tub spouts have threading on the inside.
Another type of tub spout you can find is “bathtub spouts with brass adapter.” These threaded faucets have no shower arms. In these cases, the consumer can use brass adapters to convert the spout into a slip-on tub spout.
Tools You Need:
- Flashlight/Torch
- Allen wrench
- Drill/Screwdriver
- Hair dryer
Few More Things for Caution:
- Safety gloves.
- Towel/Sheet.
Removal of Slip-on Tub Spouts:
Usually, to remove a stuck slip-on bathtub faucet you can use an Allen wrench. First, take some precautions to avoid all the mess.
Make sure to shut off the water supply by switching off the supply valve. Cover the drain with a towel/sheet. I used a rag to cover my bathtub while fixing the tub spout. It will prevent jamming the drain lid with falling parts of the spout. Once you are sure that no water will come out, you can start the removal procedure. Follow these simple rules below:
- First, check the exterior properly. Use a flashlight or torch to look at the bottom of the tub faucet for the set screw. My tub spout was an old slip-on spout. It had a little set screw at the footing.
- Take an Allen wrench to unscrew your set screw. Turn it clockwise. After two or three rounds, your faucet will start to loosen up.
- Once you remove the screw, pull the faucet with both hands. Sometimes tub spout will not unscrew. It will not come off. Removing an old tub spout like mine might need extra force. Be careful not to damage your fittings by putting too much pressure. Just give enough push to pull out the spout. Wear safety gloves and be cautious not to harm yourself along the way.
- If your faucet still does not come off, twist it 2/3 more times. Now pull it out with enough force. Sooner or later, it will come off.
In case all the attempts fail, use the hair dryer method. My tub faucet was stubbornly stuck. Eventually, I had to apply this method.
Hair Dryer Method: Many plumbers use the Hair dryer method to remove corroded bathtub faucets. This method is unfamiliar. As I had an old bathtub, my tub faucet was rusty. I have applied some techniques to remove stuck bathtub faucets with a set screw.
You might need extra few things to apply this method.
- Steel wire brushes
- Lubricating spray (WD-40)/ Penetrating oil
- With a steel wire brush first, I wiped away outside rusts. Try to remove as much rust as possible before loosening up the faucet with an Allen wrench. If it does not work, take an extensively used hair dryer.
- I have used my hair dryer to heat the spout. Make sure to put on the safety gloves (In this case, heat-resistant gloves). Using heat-proof gloves protected me from the unexpected burn.
- As the temperature goes up, the spout will start to expand. It will help the faucet to loosen up with ease.
- After that, I followed the same twist motion to disconnect the faucet from the wall. Gently I pulled it out from the wall. While following these steps, be cautious to avoid all kinds of damage.
- To secure me from getting electric shocks, I switched off the water supply in the beginning
Removal of Threaded Tub Spout:
Removing a threaded bath faucet without a screw is even easier. How to remove the tub spout without a set screw? The answer is simple. Follow these easy hacks shared below.
- Take a flat-headed screwdriver. Stick it up inside the front end of the tub spout.
- Twist it up counterclockwise while holding the faucet with one hand. Make sure the tub spout does not move while you twist the screwdriver.
- Once the faucet has loosened, unscrew it from the water pipe.
Super easy! Isn’t it?
Removal of a Stripped Tub Spout
It is quite common for old tub spouts to get stripped inside. Detaching a stripped faucet from the wall is not complicated. It follows similar steps to a threaded tub spout. Twist the faucet counterclockwise.
- Slightly pull the tub spout while you turn the fixing to hold any leftover stripped threads inside.
- After discarding the faucet, replace it with a new one.
- Sometimes, the water pipe’s adapter gets damaged. In that case, it might need a thorough cleanup. Remove all the remaining threads. Change the damaged pipe before reinstalling the new faucet.
Difficulties You Might Face:
Waterproof filler, rust, and mineral build-up can make the tub spout tightly positioned to the wall. This make removing the tub spout at this state becomes more difficult. Scratching some caulk off the wall will help to discard your stubborn faucet. To rub off corroded areas, spray penetrating oil on the affected area.
Using a flashlight/torchlight will help you to detect obstacles as well. A knife or razor might come in handy as an additional tool to unstick your tub spout. Squeeze a putty knife into the space between the wall and the faucet.
Be careful not to damage the pipes while using the knife. For brass adapter threaded tub spout, wiggle the faucet with care. Then twist. Jiggling in motion will dislocate the water pipe and the adapter.
Tub Spout Calcification:
Vinegar is that efficient magic ingredient every household needs. Usually, we see homemakers using spoonful of Vinegar for doing cleaning chores. Not only for chores but also for your plumbing problem, Vinegar turns out to be quite useful.
Calcification is the process of calcium build-up inside the tissue. In old tubs, spout calcification is one of the main reasons for sticking. Vinegar is a great cure for this issue. Using vinegar to unstick an old tub spout is proven to be quite effective.
Take a clean paper towel or thin cloth. Infuse it into vinegar and cover it around your tub faucet. Leave it for a few hours. You can soak your tub spout in a large bowl full of Vinegar as well. The Vinegar will remove all the calcification slowly. In no time, your tub spout will be fully operational again.
Reasons to Remove Tub Spout:
A most common cause for removing tub spout is to prevent water leakages. The stuck shower faucet can cause the diverter to not work properly. Therefore, it can lead to water leakage in the tub spout in place of water flow in the shower. Other reasons can make you think about changing your tub spout.
- Leakage in the bathtub/shower faucet can trigger substantial water damage to your bathroom.
- Water leakage in the bathroom can cause water leakage at home. It can damage walls.
- Changing old/corroded tub faucets can give your plumbing the needed upgrade. It can help provide a fresh look to your bathtub thus enhancing a pleasing bathtub experience.
- Getting a new tub spout is an integrated part of your bathroom remodeling.
- Corroded faucets can affect water flow in the bathroom. Discarding a corroded bathtub spout can increase the force of the water. It helps to keep bathroom fittings last long.
- Prolonging a long-due work will cost you more money overall. It is wise to remove the damaged tub spout before it becomes unusable.
- You should remove improperly installed tub faucets to avoid safety threats.
Sometimes removing a tub spout does not need any reason. You can just change your tub spout if you do not like the design. You might think of installing a better-upgraded designer tub spout. Sometimes it might simply be because you feel bored at home or you like plumbing. Whatever the reason is, removing and replacing the tub spout will give your bathroom a latest look.
FAQ
- What are Tub Faucets Called?
Tub faucets are usually called faucets. The water pressure of a bathtub or shower depends on the lever and knobs of the faucet. Lever and knobs together function to control water levels. It maintains proper water inflow in the water pipe.
- What Kind of Tub Spout Do I Have?
You can identify what kind of tub spout you own by checking a few things. Check underneath the tub spout. Look if there is a small screw on the bottom. If you find out a screw, it is a slip-on tub spout. If you have a tub spout without a screw at the bottom, you own a threaded tub spout.
- Are all Tub Spouts the Same?
No, not all tub spouts are the same. Tub spouts vary in size. Each type of tub spout has different lengths in dimensions.
- How Does a Tub Spout Come Off?
First, loose the screw underneath the faucet using a screwdriver. Shove the faucet up to turn the tub spout anticlockwise. Unscrew the spout with your hands. You can pull it out from the wall now. Try turning the faucet anticlockwise at least four times or max. Your tub spout will now come off the plumbing without much effort.
- What is the Metal Thing in the Bathtub?
The metal thing you see in the bathtub is a trip lever drain. The trip lever acts as a valve for the lid. The lid/ stopper is the device that keeps water on the bathtub when closed. It also releases water into the drain when it is open.
Conclusion:
Removing a stuck tub spout will become easier if you follow the above instructions. However, if it still seems complicated, we suggest calling a plumber. Professional help is always better. Being able to do your plumbing on your own will boost your confidence. It is cost-effective as well. If you follow proper guidance, removing that stuck tub faucet in your bathtub will feel like a hassle-free job.