I’m trying to replace the tub spout in my upstairs bathroom. This is a 60’s vintage house, it may be the original spout. The water pipe coming out of the shower wall is threaded copper and sticks out about 1/2". I thought it was 1/2" pipe at first but now I’m not so sure.
I bought a universal tub spout that connects at the wall side and is threaded for 3/4" but comes with a plastic 1/2" thread adapter, like the little black thing in this picture. Trouble is, I could not for the life of me get that 1/2" thread adapter onto the pipe. It went on about a half a turn and nothing else I did seemed to work, it would not turn any more. Is there a special tool you should have to put these things on? Seems like if it is the right size it should turn fairly easily.
I have a 5/8" cap that goes on my CO2 tank for paintball, it fits the threaded pipe fine. So, my conclusion is that I might have a 5/8" pipe sticking out of my wall when everyone else in the world seems to have 1/2" or 3/4". What’s my best course of action?
I did find some spouts with 5/8" connections on the Internet, but I think they’re for smooth copper pipe, not threaded.
Best thing to do in this case is to take the old spout to the plumbing shop so they can find what will fit. Go to an actual plumbing supply shop - prefereably one that looks like it’s been there for decades and has employees that look like they’ve also been there for decades. Don’t waste your time at the “big box” home improvement places as they’ll be most likely be clueless.
Older homes can be a joyous treasure trove of offbeat and fascinatingly weird plumbing parts. :dubious:
Have you encountered the toilet yet? Back in the 60’s, there were several different (and incompatible) types and sizes of fittings for toilet water connections. It’s almost easier to just cut off or unscrew the shutoff valve, then start fresh with a new valve, new toilet and modern fittings, than mess with puzzling over whether you need compression nuts, cone washers, flat washers, or who knows what.
That’s the other thing, the old spout has what looks like 1/2" diameter threads, but the plastic threads near the outside look dinged up, like somebody forced it onto a 5/8" pipe. And it doesn’t screw tightly onto the pipe. Probably had the same problem I did. I really don’t want to mess up the old spout because right now it’s all I have that works, it’s just old and grungy, with the chrome plating coming off.
I haven’t had to mess with the toilets yet, the downstairs one could use a new chain for the handle but otherwise they’re ok for now luckily.