tub spout - the opening around the pipe that feeds it

[Stephen Tashiro]

Is the hardware for a tub spout supposed to keep water from going into the hole where the pipe that feeds the spout comes through the wall?

( I can't determine the answer to that from reading directions about installing tub spouts such as https://www.plumbingsupply.com/info-tubspouts.html .).

Here are photos of a situation where looking at the plumbing from the back of the wall, I can see daylight around the pipe that feeds the spout. I think the light shines through hole on the underside of spout that's near the wall. I suppose water would only get into the wall in a rare case such as a kid playing in the tub and splashing the water around. Nevertheless, I'm inclined to seal around the pipe with foam. Should the tub spout hardware itself have sealed the hole?

[Bruce Wrenn]

We usually run a "rainbow" of flexible caulk above opening. Let it dry as a round bead, then install tub spout.

[Tom Giacomo]

You should use a bead of caulk around the tub spout and there should be an open drain on the bottom to let out any captured water, the shower handle should have a rubber or foam seal inside and a drain on the bottom.

[Stephen Tashiro]

We usually run a "rainbow" of flexible caulk above opening. Let it dry as a round bead, then install tub spout.

Does "above the opening" imply that the opening around the pipe is not completely sealed off? The way I'd be happy with a tub spout is if it came with some sort of big disc that completely covered the space around the pipe where water might get into the wall. I can understand not caulking a complete circle around such a disc. However, in the situation at hand, I can see daylight around the pipe.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Does "above the opening" imply that the opening around the pipe is not completely sealed off? The way I'd be happy with a tub spout is if it came with some sort of big disc that completely covered the space around the pipe where water might get into the wall. I can understand not caulking a complete circle around such a disc. However, in the situation at hand, I can see daylight around the pipe.

Because many spouts also are the diverter, and also contract and expand with hot water, they need to move some. Never had any problems. P-1 plumbing licensee for almost 20 years, FYI.