Replacing Tub Faucet

[Adam Moehn]

I need to replace a broken diverter tub faucet. I've not done much plumbing before, but I unscrewed the old one and took it to Home Depot thinking I could just find a replacement to screw back on. Well, it's not as easy as I though because everything is for 1/2" or 3/4" pipes, but the old one screwed onto a 1 1/4" adapter that's attached to the end of the pipe.

Does anyone know where I can get a diverter tub faucet that will fit? The big box stores don't seem to have ones that will. Or do I need to figure out how to remove the 1 1/4" adapter to get down to a standard 1/2" pipe? I think it's sweated on.

[Christopher Gilbert]

You will have to go to a plumbers supply store, the big box stores are pretty useless when ti comes to items like this.  I come across this on just about every rehab or rental that I fix up.  There are a few brands like Delta and Moen that make "old" style kits that can be swapped out but they usually charge much more for them and there is a good chance of damaging the diverter housing if it gets stuck in there.  I usually just swap the whole thing out for a newer style and redo the plumbing since it will make future maintanence easier, especially if you are keeping the unit as a rental or for yourself.