The tub spout is a part of the bathtub faucet, which controls the water flow and gives a decorative appearance to the tub. The diverter on the bathtub spout diverts the water flow from it to the shower head if you have a combination of bathtub and shower in this place.
How to Fill Gap Between Tub Spout And Wall? You can fill the gap between the tub spout and the wall by using silicone caulk, plumbers putty, cutting the nipple pipe, replacing the nipple pipe with a shorter one, applying spray foam, and placing the trim plate in the gap. Filling the gap can fix the loose spout to the wall, prevent water leakage and damage to the wall material, and stop mold and rust accumulation.
The gap between the wall and the tub spout can occur because of installation errors, damaged bathtubs, or the incorrect type of spout for the pipe stub. In addition, the pipe extended out of the wall can shake or wobble when you turn the faucet on to fill the bathtub or have a shower.
How do you fill the gap between the Tub Spout ad the wall?
You can use various things for filling the gap between the wall and the tub spout.
Silicone caulk
Silicone caulk is an adhesive or sealant used to fix loose fixtures and fill small gaps, providing water-resistant sealing.
You can use different caulks for metal, plastic, wood, and glass surfaces to fill the seams depending on the surface material, as it prevents water and mold growth between the gaps.
Ensure the surface is clean, and remove the old silicone caulk layer around the pipe. Fill the caulk gun with silicone caulk and apply it around the gap between them. Let the caulk dry for 30-35 minutes before turning the water on to fix it correctly with the wall.
This technique can work well if the gap between them is less than ½ inch, as the silicone caulk cannot fix the larger gap properly, and the spout cover wobbles.
Plumbers’ Putty
Plumber putty is another common adhesive material used to fix the gaps between the wall and the tub spout to create a waterproof seal around the faucets.
Take the plumber’s putty and make a rope-like material by rolling it between your palms back and forth to put around the spout cover. Fix it back in its place at apply some force to attach it firmly to the wall.
It does not need much time to dry, as you can place the spout back in its position immediately, and it will harden when exposed to water and create a strong sealing.
Cut the nipple pipe
The gap between them can also occur because of the long pipe nipple that does not fix the tub properly with the wall.
Start by measuring the gap between the secured tub spout end and the wall to know how much the nipple pipe needs to be cut down to fix it with the wall.
You can remove the spout from the nipple pipe and mark the spot on the nipple pipe where they fit together securely to the wall. Then, take a tubing cutter and cut the nipple pipe from the marked point.
Some people use a hacksaw to cut the nipple pipe, but it does not give the smooth ends as the tubing cutter.
Use a setscrew to install the slip-on tub spout ad slide it until it flushes with the wall. You can tighten the threaded tub spout until it aligns perfectly with the wall, and there are no more wobbling or loose connections.
Replace the nipple pipe with a shorter one
The fixture will not fit or secure vertically well with the wall if the nipple pipe or threaded connector is longer than 3 inches.
You can replace the 3-inch longer nipple pipe with a 2.5-inch threaded connector to fill the gap from the wall.
Professionals recommend that you can replace a two to three-inch threaded connector that comes with the tub spout with a shorter nipple pipe of length one inch. This can fit well with the wall, and the chances of the gap between the tub and the wall are less.
Spray foam
Spray foam is an insulating and sealing chemical material to fill cracks and gaps and cover wall cavities. The foam expands and fills or seals the area where you applied it without letting moisture penetrate it.
Take low-expansion spray foam and apply it around the gap between the wall and the bathtub fixture, which can secure it and reduces wobbling.
The adhesive properties of the spray foam will create a strong sealing, and this technique is less expensive and easy to apply without much exertion.
Trim plate
Selecting a trim plate from a nearby hardware shop can do the job to fill the space between them if the gap is more than ½ inch or less.
Remove the bathtub spout from the nipple pipe and place the trim plate in the gap behind the tub spout.
Fix the tub spout back in its position and seal it around with the caulk to secure this plate in the space.
It can prevent the water and nipple pipe from rocking, and the plumbing fixture can last longer with stable and fixed connections.
Why you should fill the gap between the Tub Spout and the wall?
It is better to fill the gap between the bathtub spout and the wall because of the following reasons.
Fix the loose spout
The gap between them can cause the connections to become loose over time, and the spout will wobble when someone turns the faucet on to bathe there.
You can fix the bathtub spout in its position by securing it with the wall properly and enhancing the overall decorative look, as the loose spout will look unpleasant.
It can also cause damage to the diverter, and you have to replace it with a new one because the loose connections and gap from the wall cause poor functionality of the fixture.
Water leakage and wall damage
It can cause damage to the wall if the tub spout is not secured with the wall and smaller or larger gaps exist between them.
The water can seep into the wall through the seams and mineral buildup around it because of the water leakage through the loose nipple connection with the spout.
The worn-out washer can also cause water leakage, and the faucets or diverter will not work to stop the water flow.
In addition, I have a loose connection between the bathtub spout with the wall, which causes many plumbing problems, and I have to fix the gap to prevent leakage.
Prevent mold and rust
Mold and mildew can grow around moist places, and the gap between them is one of the most attractive places for mold to thrive.
Another reason for filling this gap is to prevent rust and corrosion accumulation around the nipple pipe, especially if it is made using chrome or metal.
Therefore, it is essential to cover this space between the bathtub spout and the wall to avoid these problems and make the tub look new and stable.
How far should the tub spout pipe stick out from the wall?
The length of the nipple pipe depends on the type of bathtub spout, such as the bathtub spouts being of different lengths and the plumbing system for this pipe behind the wall having different depths.
According to professional plumbers, the tub spout can stick out of the wall approximately ¾ inch maximum and 3/8 inch minimum, depending on the spout type, which can prevent the gap from the wall.
Different bathtub spouts come with different lengths, and you can choose the one that can cover the nipple pipe and does not leave any space from the wall.
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