surfmaster
New Member
I recently installed a new tub spout to my two-handle Price Pfister shower valve. I removed the old tub spout with galvanized pipe nipple and replaced it with a new 3" long by 3/4" brass nipple. It took quite an amount of counterclockwise force with a pipe wrench to remove the old tub spout. It looked like the original spout installed when the shower and home were built in the mid 1960s. I noticed the drop-ear elbow was loose (it's not a drop-ear elbow).
I removed the access panel behind the shower and noticed a small leak near the tub spout or elbow. I cut a 12" X 12" piece of drywall and noticed the leak is coming from the elbow. This elbow has two top 1/2" connections with a front 3/4" opening for the diverter spout. This was news to me. Turning to Google, I found that this elbow is called a Twin Ell, https://www.plumbingsupply.com/images/tubshowerpart-twinell-dimensions.jpg.
The leak is coming from the first copper pipe joint - the valve line versus the shower riser. I must have cracked the solder when I used counterclockwise force to remove the old tub spout.
I plan on desoldering both copper connections - valve and shower riser - and then resoldering them. I realize you cannot just add new solder to the cracked valve pipe joint. The valve connection copper pipe end may be "ify" since the solder was cracked and may be distorted from the force in removing the old pipe nipple.
If I fail in adding new solder, can I just compression connections like these to complete this repair? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CHHZTGY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2EZI3G0CWMAWQ&psc=1.
Since I have to take apart both connections, I plan on buying a new Twin Ell versus reusing the current older one.
Or, should I just call a plumber to do the job.
Thanks in advance for your comments.
I removed the access panel behind the shower and noticed a small leak near the tub spout or elbow. I cut a 12" X 12" piece of drywall and noticed the leak is coming from the elbow. This elbow has two top 1/2" connections with a front 3/4" opening for the diverter spout. This was news to me. Turning to Google, I found that this elbow is called a Twin Ell, https://www.plumbingsupply.com/images/tubshowerpart-twinell-dimensions.jpg.
The leak is coming from the first copper pipe joint - the valve line versus the shower riser. I must have cracked the solder when I used counterclockwise force to remove the old tub spout.
I plan on desoldering both copper connections - valve and shower riser - and then resoldering them. I realize you cannot just add new solder to the cracked valve pipe joint. The valve connection copper pipe end may be "ify" since the solder was cracked and may be distorted from the force in removing the old pipe nipple.
If I fail in adding new solder, can I just compression connections like these to complete this repair? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CHHZTGY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2EZI3G0CWMAWQ&psc=1.
Since I have to take apart both connections, I plan on buying a new Twin Ell versus reusing the current older one.
Or, should I just call a plumber to do the job.
Thanks in advance for your comments.