Caulking tub spout question, with clear

[Barbara Lesniak]

I just got a new tub spout. My tub is 35 years old and the only spout I could get is not as long as the old one so there's a decent sized gap between the wall of the shower and the spout. I tried to caulk it, but the caulk I put on the underside of the spout fell out into the tub. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks!! Any information on getting dried caulk out of the bottom of a tub would also be appreciated!!

 

[Reach4]

How much gap? Is that a steel nipple that the new spout is screwed to? Get a new brass nipple that is shorter by the amount of the gap.

If you are asking how to get caulk pieces out of a drain where they fell, try a vacuum cleaner.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Barbara Lesniak]

How much gap? Is that a steel nipple that the new spout is screwed to? Get a new brass nipple that is shorter by the amount of the gap.

If you are asking how to get caulk pieces out of a drain where they fell, try a vacuum cleaner.

The gap is about 1/4 inch. I'm not sure what a steel nipple is. There is a screw that holds the spout in place. The biggest problem is that I cannot find a spout that has a long enough neck so that it is somewhat flush with the shower wall. Thanks for answering!

 

[Reach4]

Usually if you have a setscrew, you can push the spout closer to the wall after loosening the screw. How about a photo of what you see at the wall when you pull the spout back off?

 

[Terry]

There are several ways to install a tub spout. If yours is a copper tube that prevents the spout from sliding on all the way, it may need to be cut back some.
I don't normally caulk the bottom of a tub spout, I do caulk around the top and sides.
A flat razor blade will cut the spilled caulking off from the tub.

And make sure you use a clear caulking for the tub spout. Look how awful white looks on this nice tile that I found in a hotel room.

Clear, not white

 

[Barbara Lesniak]

Usually if you have a setscrew, you can push the spout closer to the wall after loosening the screw. How about a photo of what you see at the wall when you pull the spout back off?

Thank you so much. I think you just completely solved my problem. Don't worry, I'll write back if it doesn't, ha ha.

 

[Barbara Lesniak]

There are several ways to install a tub spout. If yours is a copper tub that prevents the spout from sliding on all the way, it may need to be cut back some.
I don't normally caulk the bottom of a tub spout, I do caulk around the top and sides.
A flat razor blade will cut the spilled caulking off from the tub.

Thank you very much for the information. I passed it on to my husband, who purchased the replacement spout. Between the two of us I hope we will be able to figure it out. We are so out of the loop with DIY, you'd think we were attempting brain surgery!