Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - bathtub spout leaking

After installing ceramic tile on my tub surround, my tub spout (compression screw + diverter type) now leaks. I believe this is because the copper pipe only extends one inch (not quite) from the face of the tile, thus not reaching the rubber gasket inside the spout.
How can I extend the pipe? Can I simply solder and extension on the end of the pipe, and if so, what does this involve (never soldered before). I don't want to remove the tile and break into the wall.

thanks for any advice,
m

mcorrell,

Since you don't have experience at sweating pipe, Option A might work. If not the following suggestions will require someones assistance that has the equipment and knows how to use it.

Best thing I can suggest is;

A. Remove access panel (if you have one) If you have any play (movement) that can be obtained from the tub/shower faucet assembly and it can be moved forward 1/2", you will have to secure the assembly so it will not move or let the face plate over the handle hold it, you may have the problem fixed without sweating pipe. This is a remote possibility but maybe...

The next 2 options are then your alternative fixes...

B. Add a 1/2" copper coupling to the existing 1/2" pipe for spout and insert additional 1/2" copper pipe to it that will be to proper length. But if you don't or can't use a coupling (I think you can), go to C.

C. Remove access panel (if you have one) from behind the tub/shower faucet assembly and remove exiting pipe that is to short from the elbow and cut new length of copper and reinstall.


Sorry, no other advice unless someone else has some ideas.

Try swap out an O-ring inside Spout with a thicker one, or even stack up a couple or three together. Then, teflon tape around the copper fitting(wrap it in the same direction as the thread) and screw spout back in.
This might be the cheapest fix.