Plumbing question?
Question:I am re-tiling my shower (bathtub w/ tiled walls). On the plumbing wall, there was 5/8" drywall, mastic, and a 4" ceramic tile. I am not replacing the faucet or tub spout. I tore out down to the studs and put up 1/2" cement board. Now, as I hold a new tile (8"x10" ceramic) next to the tub spout nipple, the nipple is not long enough. I figured that losing 1/8" in the backing board would provide enough of a safety net to replace the tub spout. Unfortunately, I didn't decide to check this until I had the new cement screwed in and the joints mortared. With the addition of mortar under the tile, I doubt that I will be able to screw the old spout on at all. I do not have access from the back. I know that it would have been easier to replace that 1/2" galvanized nipple while I was in the wall, and I hope that it will just easily screw out if I need it to. What are my options?
Answers:
if you can grab the nipple with a pair of channel locks take it out and put in a longer one. They cost about $1 apiece buy 2 or 3, a 5", 5 1/2", and a 6". If you can't grab it with channel locks, get an internal pipe wrench for 1/2" pipe, about $10.
If it is too short by an inch or so, you can put a coupling and short nipple to extend it.
Otherwise, you must unscrew the nipple and get a longer one. They make a tool similar too an easy out for screws. Check at a rent center.
PS: Any time you do plumbing the job goes smoother if your butt crack is hanging out. It's in the plumbing code.
I screw them out and replace the nipples all the time.
Just do it.
If you still feel uncomfortabe about it, you can really pile the teflon on it, but it really should come out for you.
You don't need to get into the wall to do it. Just screw it out.
I've encountered your present situation before and simply replaced the pipe with a longer piece. As another has stated, simply remove the existing pipe, get one about a 1/2" longer, Teflon the threads and screw it back in. The hardware store had many different lengths already cut and threaded.
You could try grabbing the side of the pipe with a Vise-Grip, then put a wrench or slip-joint pliers on the Vise-Grip to turn the pipe out. You'll probably damage the threads doing that, but at least you'll get it out. And if you have to get a longer nipple anyway, what the heck. You probably won't get one a half-inch longer, and might have to have one made to length. Besides damaging the pipe threads, the Vise-Grip might scrape the sides of the hole as well. This should be covered by the tile or by the faucet's flange anyway.
I don't think you have a problem. If you find that your length of nipple is at a odd size meaning something other 1/2 inch increments get 2 copper1/2 inch male adapters and what ever length of copper you need and make your own nipple. You should be OK. Good luck
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