We just replace the bathtub spout. What can I use to seal off the spout where it meets the wall? The water pipe wasn’t attached to any stud in the wall, so the spout can pull out about 3/8" from the wall, although it meets the wall if you’re not pulling on it. There’s no way to gain access to the water pipe inside the wall or below from the basement. There’s no way to grab the pipe and attach the spout any closer in, either. I can’t really caulk the spout against the wall because of this play in it. The wall is a solid sheet of fake marble-looking stuff, like a composite sink vanity material.
Buy a can of Spray Foam.
Spray foam will expand in the wall and help stabilize the spout. Screws are better. But, since you can’t get in the wall, spray foam will do. Spray it inside the wall, around pipe & the spout. Then seal around the spout with a good silicon caulk that is rated for bathrooms.
Very important to get low expansion foam. A can of the stuff is less than $20. One can is all you need. I wouldn’t use high expansion foam around old copper pipes. There’s always a chance of breaking a joint apart. Low expansion is what everyone recommends for this type of application.
Also, wait a couple hours for the foam to expand and harden before sealing with the silicon caulk.
Be sure it’s a really good quality bathroom silicon. The cheap stuff won’t keep water out of the wall.
I personally prefer GE Premium waterproof silicone II for baths
http://www.lowes.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&cId=SEARCH&productId=3084971&cm_mmc=SCE_gps-_-gps-_-gps-_-GE%209.8%20oz%20Silicone%20II%20Premium%20Waterproof%20Kitchen%20&%20Bath%20ALMOND%20Caulk%20LW5060
Are you saying that the foam will actually hold the spout in place firmly? Because right now it takes no effort at all to pull it out 1/4 - 3/8 inches.
Foam adheres pretty strongly. If no one pulls on the spout it should be ok.
The best solution is to open the wall and secure it with Tube Straps and screws like this.
Since that is not possible. Foam is what I’d try. I can’t think of anything else that can be sprayed inside the wall without tearing it open. Foam is very sticky. It will stick to the stud in the wall, the pipe etc. and then harden. Like a Styrofoam Ice chest you keep Soda and Beer in. Plumbers use Spray Foam underneath tubs when they install them. It acts like a pad, gives some support etc.
You can get an escutcheon that will take up the space between the faucet and the wall. You can either remove the faucet, put the escutceon on the pipe, and replace the faucet, or get a split escutcheon that will fit over the pipe with the faucet in place.
A high-quality silicone caulk functions well as an adhesive. I would not be inclined to spray foam into an unknown space and in any case if there is play in the pipe I don’t think the cured foam will prevent the play from coming back. It’s fairly friable material.
If the tub surround is reasonably sturdy, just make sure both the spigot and the surround are clean, free of oils and loose debris, and dry. Use the caulk to anchor and seal the spigot to the wall and give it at least 24 hours to set. Do not use cheap caulk for this application; you need a very high quality silicone caulk, or one of the other caulks specifically made for sealing metal and glass to smooth surfaces which will be exposed to water.
Silicone made for bathroom locations has a mildew-resistor in it, so I agree with the recommendation to buy high-grade caulk. Once it’s set, the pipe will essentially float with whatever amount of play the wall itself has, but the silicone will have glued the faucet to the wall and will seal the gap. Since the butt end of faucet naturally rests flush with the wall, you won’t have a big gap to seal. If you do, then I agree with the use of an escutcheon plate.
I agree the silicon is what will actually bond and keep the spout in place.
I suggested foam mainly to support the pipe/spout and temporarily keep it in place. Make it easier to caulk and give the silicon time to dry without anything moving.
If you use an escutcheon plate, make sure it doesn’t pull or put much tension on the copper pipe. Old copper can get brittle. You don’t want it under any tension.
Good advice, all. Thanks!
This is not proper plumbing, and would violate code in many places – the pipe is supposed to be attached to a structural member within 6-18" of the fixture attachment point. Because otherwise it is loose in the wall, and will pull in and out when the fixture is attached. Exactly what you are encountering!
But it’s not a particularly dangerous code violation; the worst case would be that someone grabs onto the spout and breaks off the water pipe inside the wall. Not very likely. So it’s not something you have to fix right away. The suggestions given above will work for many years.
But someday, when you are remodeling your bathroom, open up that wall and secure the pipe solidly.
It seems to be anchored just at or above the water control handle. One in a very long list of repairs that need to be made eventually.