tub spout diverter leak - help

[Dynaridernc]

I just finished remodeling my bathrrom. All is fine except when the diverter on the shower spout is pulled to move water up to the shower head for a shower , water leaks back through the tub spout and then in back of the tub. The tub spout had a sweat type adapter to solder on to the copper pipe that supplies the tub spout and shower. I admit I did not do the greatest job of soldering it on, as it did not seem to be a water tight fitting but only to attach the adapter to allow the tub spout to be screwed on to the feeder pipe. The adapter did have a rubber O ring which I removed before soldering and did not compromise. Any suggestions? Should I remove the solder and adapter and do a better solder job? Is the diverter on the spout perhaps bad? Please help. Thanks much

[AllanJ]

Can you get it off without unsoldering?

I have often cut a notch, at least 3/8 inches square, in the underside of the spout where it meets the wall. This allows any water inside the spout but not inside the pipe to drop out on the outside of the wall. I assume that the spout itself is much larger in diameter than the hole in the wall through which the pipe emerges.

But if the amount of water leaking when the diverter is in the shower position is large, you should redo everything even if you did cut a notch.

A common problem with (screwed on) spouts is that the pipe was not measured quite right. Then the spout hits the wall before it is screwed on adequately and it leaks on the inside.

[Fischer]

Often times you have trouble if the stub out from the wall is too long. That creates havoc with the lever and diverting all the water. Should check to see that the length is correct, put some teflon on the threads, and silicone the hole in the shower wall.