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Can You Use PEX for Tub Spout? (All You Need to Know)

PEX pipes are one of the most useful plumbing pipes found throughout the United States. It can be used in several sectors of a house’s or office’s plumbing system. People often are not entirely sure about the applicability of pex pipes. 

Today, we are going to discuss and find out whether one can use pex for tub spout or not.

Can you use pex for tub spout?

Pex pipes can be used for the tub spout. But the longevity of the pex pipes is often doubted when they are used for a tub spout. However, 3/4 pex pipes can be used to complete the plumbing of the tub spout. It is true that pex pipes are cheaper compared to other pipes.

There are different sizes of types of pex pipes available in the market. Let’s discuss in detail about some of them to find out their applicability in terms of tub spout.

1/2 pex:

1/2 pex pipes can not be used for tub spout according to the plumbing experts. There are a lot of reasons behind this. First of all, the diameter of the 1/2 pex pipes can not properly fulfill the demand that the plumbing system of your tub spout needs. 

The 1/2 pex pipes are not wide enough to support the connection between the tub spout and the tub valve. 

The capabilities of 1/2 pex pipes are also limited as it can only handle the pressure of a three hundred and fifty foot line. Considering all these limitations, you should avoid using 1/2 pex pipes for your tub spout.

3/4 pex:

3/4 pex pipes can certainly be used for the tub spout according to the plumbing experts. The diameter of the 3/4 pex pipes is enough to handle the water pressure of a tub spout. Additionally, the 3/4 pex pipes are designed for covering a five hundred feet line. 

So if you are looking to use pex pipes for your tub spout, then you will have to use the 3/4 version of pex pipes as they are the most suitable ones for the job.

Can I use pex between valve and tub spout?

It is recommended by plumbing experts that you should avoid using pex between valve and tub spout. The point behind this recommendation is that copper and galvanized pipes are the most used pipes when it comes to connecting the valve and the tub spout. 

However, you can use pex pipes between the shower valve and the tub spout if you manage to maintain some things. First of all, you will need to use strong enough pex pipes that would be able to support the water pressure coming out the shower valve into the tub spout. 

The diameter of the pex pipes has to be wide enough to maintain the optimum flow of water between the shower valve and the tub spout. The  pex pipes are recommended for this reason. So using pex pipes between the shower valve and the tub spout is not a popular practice. 

But you can definitely do it by sticking to the given general rules.

7 reasons why you can use pex for tub spout

There are a lot of reasons why one can use pex for tub spout. Let’s discuss them in detail. 

Flexibility:

Pex pipes are one of the most flexible pipes found in the market. Their flexibility makes the installation process of pex pipes easier. If you choose to use pex pipes for your tub spout, then you would be able to get it done easily due to the flexible features of the pex pipes. 

Affordability:

The cost of pex pipes is also less compared to other types of plumbing pipes. It means using pex pipes for the tub spout will save you a lot of money. If you are looking for cost effective pipes for your tub spout, then you will need to look no further than pex pipes. 

Easy to use:

One of the best features of pex pipes is their easy usability. You can use and install the pex pipes easily without having to connect too many plumbing fittings. It is also cost effective and can save you both money and time. 

That is why you can easily use pex pipes for your tub spout. 

Easy installation:

The pex pipes can easily be installed as they work excessively well with the quick plumbing fittings. It saves you the hassle of using too many tools and materials. 

Easy to control:

Pex pipes come with the benefit of a central shut off valve. This means you can easily control the water flow of your tub spout in case of emergency. 

No need for soldering:

You do not have to go through the trouble of soldering when you are using pex pipes for the tub spout. It is a life saving benefit if you consider the health dangers that come along with soldering. 

Cold temperature resistant:

Pex pipes do well under cold temperatures. This will give you extra benefit in the winter if you use pex pipes for the tub spout. 

What kind of pipe do you use for a tub spout?

Galvanized pipes, copper pipes, and brass pipes are the most recommended pipes for a tub spout. Because the tub spout goes through a lot of external and internal pressure on a daily basis. That is why it requires a strong pipe making connection with it to the shower valve. 

The galvanized pipe is the best option for a tub spout because of the durability and the support it provides. If you are looking to use a threaded pipe for your tub spout, then you should go for the galvanized pipes without any shadow of a doubt. 

However, copper pipes can be used if there is no need for a threaded pipe. 

Tub spout manufacturers do not recommend using pex pipes for the tub spout. But some plumbing experts like the idea of using pex pipes for the tub spout because of the flexibility they provide. 

How do you plumb a tub spout with PEX?

Plumbing a tub spout with PEX pipes might seem like a daunting task if you do not have any prior experience regarding the matter. However, there are some steps and methods you can follow to accomplish the task. Let’s discuss in detail about them. 

Gather the tools and materials:

First of all, you will need to gather all the tools and materials needed for the job. The list of materials and tools includes a tub spout, hammer arresters, screws, braces, plumbing fittings, thread table, threaded adapters, and PEX pipes. 

You will be good to go after collecting all these tools and materials.

Decide the depth and height of the tub spout: 

Then, you will need to decide the depth and height of the tub spout. The manufacturer guide of the tub spout will give you an indication about the depth of the tub spout. The height of the tub spout depends on the specifications of your bathtub.

Install the tub spout and PEX pipes:

You will need to install the tub spout using screws only. At this point of time, the 3/4 pex pipes have to be installed too. Before you connect the PEX pipes to the tub spout, you will need to attach a diverter valve onto the tub spout. 

Otherwise, you will not be able to make a strong connection between the PEX pipe and the tub spout.

You will additionally have to use hammer arresters and threaded adapters. You will not need to do soldering or torching the pex pipes as they do not require it.

Why can’t you use pex for tub spout drop?

Using pex pipes for tub spout drop has been criticized by many plumbing experts. Even the manufacturers of tub spouts do not recommend using pex pipes. One of the benefits of using pex pipes for plumbing systems is the flexibility of the pex pipes. 

But this same benefit works as a disadvantage when it comes to using it for a tub spout drop. 

The tub spout has to handle a lot of pressure regularly and needs to be supported by strong enough pipes. The flexible nature of pex pipes makes them a bad choice for tub spout drop. 

Tub spout should be supported by rigid pipes such as copper pipes, galvanized pipes, and brass pipes.

Even after considering all of these things, you can still use pex pipes for tub spout drop. But the pex pipes will fail to maintain their longevity in this case and you might have to change the plumbing of the tub spout sooner than you expected.

Final Thoughts

Some plumbing experts believe that pex pipes can be used for a tub spout. While others believe that there are better alternatives available in the market. That is why copper pipes and galvanized pipes are rated higher than pex pipes when it comes to tub spout installation.