I have a rental apartment with a tub spout and it's diverter broke.

I ordered a new spout with Moen. In the mean time, I removed the old spout, then threaded a hose bibb onto the 1/2" nipple instead so they can continue to use the shower.

Now that I have the new spout I called the tenant to say I will be stopping by to install the new spout. They said don't worry it's fine, what do you mean it's fine? They said they like the hose bibb better. They never use the tub for bathing, they always used the shower only. With the hose bibb they turned the bibb off, permanently, then when they turn on the shower it goes straight to the shower, they no longer need to pull the knob to divert each time, only to see 95% of the water runs up and 5% of the water slowly leaks out of the spout. They think my hose bibb workaround is a "significant" improvement.

OK so what should I do? I am not sure if this is to code, can a hose bibb be used in place of a tub spout as a "permanent" thing till they move out whenever that may be? I think I need to change it back to a normal tub spout, right?

the reason the spout leaks by is done on purpose.
it is done so that under a different scenario there can not be a cross connection between hot and cold.
i don't see any harm the way they want to use it.

make sure any 'caulking' is water-tight around the hose bib

change to a regular spout after they move

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

Packy, can you expand on the cross connection? What is a different scenario in which the leaky spout prevents the cross connection?

if someone has one of those water saving shower heads that can be shut off.
people get wet, shut off the head, soap up, turn the head back on etc..
in this case the peerson may set the shower valve to a temperature they like, shut the hose faucet at the spout, take their shower and just shut the head off. this will leave the shower valve in the open posution but nothing will come out top or bottom.
this is a classic cross connection. the shower valve is on but no water comes out.

this is the reason that diverter tub spouts leak slightly. this way the person HAS to shut the shower valve..

I think I want to put the spout back on, even though it means they have to go back to bending over to divert the flow to the shower.

The tub spout is a thick piece of metal. My current workaround is a skinny 1/2" nipple sticking out 4.5" from the wall, then a hose bibb that is anther 4" or so in length. If someone pushes the hose bibb down or sideway because they slip in the tub or their knees bump into it, it may stress it too much to the point that the joint behind the wall may get damaged. The tub spout being wider and thicker will transfer some of that stress onto the tile wall instead. I really don't like this thing being "permanent" even if it means 3 to 6 months.

if the tennant REALLY likes no spout:

replace with a chrome nipple and cap just like a shower arm but as flush as possible

about $15 in parts


give the tenant the option to pay for the parts

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

That is NOT the reason most diverter spouts leak. They leak because the water in the riser keep the diverter closed. By leaking the diverter will eventually open and NOT hit the next user with a slug of cold water. Spring loaded diverts, such as the Delta "pull down ones" do NOT leak in the diverted position.

ditto

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638