Is there a gadget or way to fix a loose shower head pipe? WITHOUT ripping out drywall.
It's not leaking, yet, but it's loose from the studs and wiggles inside the wall.
Thanks.

 

You could try some epoxy around it.

 

Somebody else just told me that.
Had anyone on here tried that and it works?
Epoxy putty?

 

Sealing the pipe to the drywall will work for a while but will eventually come loose. Fix the problem permanently by cutting the drywall now or later but you will cut the drywall.

 

The fitting or pipe should be mechanically attached to framing in the wall. More modern homes have a nice fitting with mounting flanges and holes for screws to attach it to the framing. Older homes often just have pipe and nails bent over... which can come loose.

What's on the other side of the shower wall? Are you lucky enough that there is a closet on the other side where you could cut open the wall and not have to worry too much about making a pretty patch?

 

I would try a high grade adhesive caulk, something that stays flexible like kitchen and bath caulk. Clean the pipe well with alcohol and pump it in around the pipe and smooth it over with a wet finger. Don't touch it til it dries completely.

 

Pull back the plate surrounding the shower arm and look inside the hole with a flash light. See if there is an elbow on the pipe and a piece of wood behind it. See how it is fastened. It normally is held pretty tight with large nails driven in and bent over behind the wood. I often remove these on a bath remodel and take them to the dump with the wood still attached as it is a PITA to remove. You can enlarge the hole up to the size of the pipe covering to see what is going on in there. I would like to know if there is a leak that has rotted out the wood. I would use something like rock hard putty instead of a flexible caulking to hold it steady.

 

I was waiting to see if Tolyn answered.... spray foam.
(will lock the pipe in the wall- then use something around the pipe where it exits the wall)

 

Am considering the spray foam mentioned here. Not sure if it will get hard enough to do that job and hold in place long term. PUtting an access panel in would not be a big problem, the wall to be accessed is behind a door that's usually closed.
I'm thinking that's a better long term solution.

 

Glad you posted PJ, I did not see this post until now. Yes, Spray foam. All you need is a 1/4" hole for the straw. The foam will surround the pipe and and the foam will stick to the inside of the wall. If you have used foam you know how sticky it is.

 

Thanks. I have used spray foam, but the kind I used ended up curing kind of spongy.
It has to do with what brand I guess, or type.

 

I used the original "Great Stuff" in the Red can. Air Sealing Holes and Leaks | GREAT STUFF? Gaps & Cracks

 

Thanks for all of the input. I decided to go with the panel in the wall behind it and the plumber secured the pipes to the wall stud. Whole thing was 125 and well worth it. Plastic access panel that I painted to match the wall.
Thanks again, I feel this is the better solution in the long run.

 

I'm glad you choose a proper fix over a Band-Aid.