What Is The Bathtub Faucet Called? | Names, Parts, Tips

Quick Answer And The Terms You Hear

People use “bathtub faucet” to mean many things. In trade language, the piece water pours from is the tub spout. The hot and cold meet in a valve tucked in the wall. You turn the handle(s) to set flow and temperature. The visible cover plate is the escutcheon. Put together, these parts make up the faucet set, but the spout is the outlet at the tub.

Bathtub Faucet Terms At A Glance

Term	What It Means	Where You’ll Hear It
Tub spout	Outlet that sends water into the tub	Parts lists, install guides
Diverter spout	Spout with a lift rod that redirects flow to a showerhead	Product pages and codes
Non-diverter spout	Plain spout for tub-only setups	Tub without shower
Pressure-balance valve	Balances hot and cold pressure to keep temps steady	Most single-handle sets
Thermostatic valve	Sets a target temperature with separate volume control	Custom or high-end sets
Faucet trim	Visible parts: handle(s), escutcheon, and decorative bits	Replacement kits
Escutcheon	Cover plate that hides the hole in the wall	Behind handle and spout
Roman tub faucet	Deck-mounted spout and handles on the tub rim	Soaking and drop-in tubs

A diverter sends flow to the showerhead or back to the tub. The U.S. EPA’s WaterSense page defines a bath and shower diverter as a device that switches between those outlets. A pressure-balance valve sits behind the tile and helps prevent sudden temperature swings when someone flushes or runs the washer.

What Is The Bathtub Tap Called In Plumbing?

Ask a plumber, and you’ll hear “tub spout” for the outlet. Check a parts catalog, and you’ll see that same name with notes about size and connection. The word “faucet” usually refers to the full kit: valve, trim, and spout. So the tap at the bathing end is the spout, and the faucet is the whole control system that delivers water.

In stores you may see “bath spout” or “tub outlet.” These labels are interchangeable with tub spout and point to the part that pours into the bath.

How Diverters, Valves, And Trim Work Together

Diverter Styles You’ll See

Most homes use a lift-rod diverter built into the spout. Pull up to send flow to the showerhead; push down to fill the tub. Some sets move the diverter to a knob near the handle, and a few use an internal transfer valve. The job is the same: choose tub or shower without leaks or spray back.

Valves Behind The Wall

Single-handle sets commonly use a pressure-balance valve. It reacts to changes in hot or cold pressure so the outlet stays steady when another fixture steals water. Two-handle sets can use a thermostatic control or two separate valves. With thermostatic gear you set a temperature, then adjust volume by a second control. Both routes give you blended water at the spout.

Trim You Can See

Handles, levers, and the escutcheon are called the trim. Swap trim to refresh the look; swap the valve when you’re ready to open the wall. The spout can be changed from the bathroom side in many tub-only setups. Most swaps need just basic tools.

Spout Connection Types And Fit

Spouts attach in two common ways. A slip-on style clamps to smooth copper with a set screw. A threaded style screws onto a pipe nipple. Some models include adapters that allow either approach. Picking the right style keeps the outlet tight to the wall and stops dribbles at the back. For model notes and photos, see Moen’s guide to types of tub spouts.

Reach, Height, And Clearance

The spout has to reach past the tile and land water inside the basin, not on the ledge. A short reach splashes; too long looks odd and can bang knees. Height matters as well: pair the spout with a comfortable handle height so you can set temperature before your hands get wet.

Buying Or Replacing A Bathtub Faucet Set

Match The Connection

Remove the old spout and check the stub-out. If you see a smooth copper tube with a notch near the end, you likely have a slip-on style. If you see threads, you need a threaded spout. Measure the distance from the wall to the pipe end so the replacement sits tight.

Check For A Diverter

If you have a showerhead, you need a diverter somewhere. A diverter spout with a lift rod is the fastest swap. If your set uses a built-in diverter at the valve or a transfer knob, stay with that style so the shower behaves as expected.

Confirm The Valve Type

Most single-handle sets behind modern tile use pressure-balance valves. That pairs well with a simple spout change. If you’re opening the wall, you can switch to a thermostatic system with separate volume control for finer tuning.

Mind The Flow And Reach

Wide tubs benefit from a higher-flow spout so the fill time doesn’t drag. Check the reach on the box and match it to your tub ledge depth. When in doubt, a quick mock-up with painter’s tape shows where the water will land.

Care, Drips, And When To Replace

Mineral Buildup

Hard water leaves deposits at the outlet. A gentle scrub with a non-scratch pad or a brief soak with a mild vinegar solution loosens scale. Skip harsh tools that can scar the finish.

Drips Or Water Sneaking From The Spout

A slow drip at the spout points to a worn cartridge or seat in the valve, not the spout itself. Rebuilding the valve usually fixes it. If water seeps behind the spout or puddles at the wall, the connection may be loose or an O-ring may be tired. Reseat or replace the spout and gasket.

Weak Shower With The Diverter Up

If the shower trickles while the diverter is pulled, the spout’s diverter gate may be worn. On models with a removable gate, you can swap that part. Many people just replace the spout and move on.

Quick Sizing Tips Before You Order

Measure From The Wall

Measure from finished wall to the tip of the pipe or copper tube. Compare that to the spout’s spec. A short or long stub-out can be corrected with a different nipple length on threaded models or with a proper extension kit for slip-on models.

Watch For Set Screw Location

Slip-on spouts use a small set screw that tightens against the copper. The screw is usually at six o’clock. Make sure you can reach it with a hex key once the spout is on the pipe.

Local Codes Vary

Check local rules before moving valves or opening shared walls.

Common Setups And What They’re Called

Setup	Typical Use	Notes
Single-handle tub-shower	Most houses and apartments	One handle with a pressure-balance valve; spout may have a lift-rod diverter
Tub-only with two handles	Vintage or retrofit tubs	Hot and cold valves feed a non-diverter spout
Roman tub deck set	Soaker and whirlpool tubs	Wide arc spout on the rim, separate handles, often no shower
Thermostatic mixer set	Upscale showers with a tub outlet	One control sets temperature, another sets volume

Wrap Up: The Right Name Helps You Buy Right

For shopping or searching: call the outlet the tub spout, the hidden part the valve, and the cover the escutcheon. Those names help you buy parts that fit.