How it connects
The tube end is cleaned and the spout is slid over it. An internal O-ring or gasket seals on the tube OD, and tightening a radial set screw (hex/Allen) against the tube holds it in place. No threads, solder or adhesive.
Male and female halves
This is the female socket on the spout. The male half is a plain, unthreaded copper tube stub. It is not a threaded IPS female.
Usually connects to
- plain end of 1/2 in nominal copper tube (5/8 in OD), Type L or M, stubbed out from the wall
Common sizes
- Almost always 1/2 in nominal copper (5/8 in OD). Listings call for a stub-out about 1-1/2 to 2-7/8 in long. 3/4 in tube will not fit.
Where it is used
residential bathroom plumbingtub spouts and tub/shower valves
Variations
- non-diverter
- combination spouts with a slip socket plus 1/2 or 3/4 in IPS female thread
How to recognise it
Look for a smooth bore about 16 mm across with an internal O-ring or a plastic insert, plus a small set screw (usually hex socket) through the wall of the spout on its underside near the wall end. Often sold with a hex key.
Often confused with
| Confused with | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| 1/2 in IPS/NPT threaded tub spout (female thread) | Threaded spouts have no set screw and screw onto a threaded nipple. Slip-on spouts have a set screw access hole underneath and a smooth bore with an O-ring. |
| Copper sweat (solder) cup socket | A sweat socket is soldered permanently and has no gasket or set screw. |
| Push-to-connect (SharkBite-style) fitting | Push-to-connect fittings grip with an internal stainless toothed collet and have no external set screw. |
Also called
slip-fit tub spoutpush-on tub spoutset-screw tub spout
Good to know
The copper-tube standard is ASTM B88. Some tub spouts combine a slip-on socket and an IPS female thread; these are separate interfaces.
Related connections
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