My son has an older home with a showerless tub. I'd like to add a diverter type shower.When he removed the spout, there was an old ring-like fitting about 2 1/2" across, but no pipe coming out of the wall. Is it possible to attach the shower to this? I will try to post pics if I can figure out how to do that!

I don't know what you are referring to with the "old ring-like fitting about 2 1/2" across" but you could use one of these



And run the hose to a hand shower on a glide arm. Tadahhhh, instant shower.

i'll bet the 2 1/2" round thing is the bushing type adapter that is pressed into the wall end of the tub spout.
usually only see that type on diverter spouts.

Is this a "really old" house? If so that "thing" is part of the spout and when you remove it, there will be a pipe you can connect to.

I am so impressed with the rapid responses! The house is very old- had knob and tube wiring if that gives you some idea. Still trying to post pics. Thanks so much!> >




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I would also bet it is part of the tub spout,try to remove it as was said earlier.

It looks like it's just part of the old tub spout that just broke off. You should be able to unscrew it and hope the nipple comes with it. If the nipple is left in the wall, you may need a nipple extractor (goes inside the nipple to unscrew it) unless you can get to it through an access panel from behind.

I've unscrewed many a tub spout and I've never seen that happen before. You must be the lucky type.

Thanks so much, jerco, for your help (although the nipple extractor sounds like it might be painful!) We'll try to resolve this so my son can finally take a shower.

You can use atypical pipe wrench to remove this adapter in the picture.you will need a 1/2"ip close to wall type divertor spout.

Thanks, LemonPlumber. How difficult is it to remove the adaptor without breaking the surrounding tile?

i can't open the picture you sent. but, the adapter should unscrew without damaging any tile.

You probably will not need the extractor, because when that piece comes off, the pipe should be almost exactly where you need it for the new spout.

Depends on where you drop it from.LOL Using it to twist the two little brass wings should not be to hard.Although a tub dumb bell/spud wrench. might fit and give you better working room away from the tile.

Ridgid makes a handy Dandy tool for stuff like that.
It's a 10 in 1 tool.