Broken shower head extension (soldered joint) - please help!

Simon96Taco

A question about this fix - is there any way to check whether my connections are leaking once the shower is installed? It seems like I'm going to have to just tighten everything up and hope for the best as I won't be able to see anything once the showerhead is back in place.

TheEplumber

That's fine if you want to have rusty water on your head. Yes, it will happen with galv. pipe. I like Ben's advice, get a loner arm

TheEplumber

You can pull the trim plate back while showering and take a peak at it. Otherwise, no

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AllanJ

A reminder inspired by your specific pictures. The OP and anyone eavesdropping needs to make sure that the pipe threads match.

Never force fit non-matching threads even if you use plenty of pipe dope or Teflon tape.

It is okay to make up the entire shower arm assembly first and then screw it into the elbow inside the wall using the angled down portion of the arm assembly to crank it into place, no socket wrench needed.

Regarding leak testing:

If there is any play around the arm pipe where it exits the wall, you could turn it on for several minutes and shut off the water flow using a sprayer attachment on the shower arm, then peek inside with a flashlight to check for drips while it is under pressure this way.

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rrolleston

What size nipple would you need for the shower head arm to sit flush against the shower wall when tight?

Maybe a friend that is good with soldering copper could make you a male to female adapter the right length.

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Simon96Taco

Apologies in advance for bumping an old thread, but was ashamed that I hadn't thanked everyone for their help and responses - problem solved!

jgold47

to threadjack. is it a given that the drop ear #1 in the picture will be there? Plubming is from the 20's. for whatever reason the shower arm is twisted about 20 degrees and its annoying. Before I wrench on it, I want to make sure I am not going to snap off some ancient voodoo connection.

oh'mike

J gold--start a new thread--few will want to wade through 21 ancient posts to figure out what you are talking about.

As to twisting an 80 year old pipe?

I would not do that--that piping is long past the end of its useful life--

Do it when you repipe the house--or do it now and force your self to repipe the house now, Your choice.

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jgold47

yeah - good point. Will make a new thread.


Well its been twisted and I would like to get it straight. I had good luck removing the hot/cold supplies to fix a leak, they looked like brass. Who knows if that stuff has been updated or not. I have been pestering the wife to let me rip into the wall to replace the (I am sure) galv piping and install a thermostatic set for the shower, but she's afraid of tiling and being without our only shower. going from the other side is out due to a fancy closet behind.

oh'mike

It's risky---and rebuilding an antique bathroom takes about two weeks for a pro with an assistant--

I would not want to be the one doing it in case a leak is the result.

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