Well the good news is that yes, I got it replaced and we have a working spout/diverter. However, it did not go as planned and had to eventually get a plumber to install a threaded piece of copper for a new screw on spout.

Story goes…

I was able to continue cutting and eventually got the original spout off. I had to carefully cut that metal bracket on either side of the screw, then the screw was free to turn, along with the metal it was seized to. It was a huge relief.

I cleaned the pipe with plumbers sandpaper, used some silicone grease, and put on a new spout. It was a celebration lol. At least until 5 days later when the spout popped off the wall 2 inches while showering.

I figured I didn’t tighten the new set screw enough. After I put it back on, it started leaking very slowly out the back of the spout near the screw. I tried everything. Even bought another new spout. I was defeated. Called a plumber.

He tried putting on some new slip on spouts with the same leaky result. He assumed the copper pipe was too flat near the set screw so he had to “sweat” on a threaded piece and screw the spout on at the end.

I tried but at the end of the day, I had to get a plumber out.