Tub spout supply line tilted down.

I have a Moen slip on tub spout. The supply line to the spout is tilted down, so when the spout is installed, the bottom of the spout is flush with the wall, but the top has a gap. The pipe moves when pushed, so it is not secured behind the wall. Can I heat up the line and bend it so that’s it’s level? Would a screw on spout be able to use the leverage of screw to pull itself flush with the wall? What are my options?

If the hole in the tile is cut high enough, you might be able to tip the pipe up by shimming under it, at the bottom of the hole in the tile and cement board.

You could also remove the spout, then slip a slightly wider and longer piece of copper pipe over the pipe, and try to bend it up a little.

However, this could crimp your pipe or cause solder joints to fail from the force you apply.

Thanks Jeff. I’ll try the shim idea first—I think that’s doable, the hole is cut high enough. What would you use as a shim?

It depends on how deep the hole is, that is under the pipe feeding the spout.

You could try plastic or composite shims, the type used for installing a pre-hung door.
They are about 1.5 by 6 inches long.
They are tapered.
You will find them in the millwork area at Home Depot etc.

You can cut them up into smaller pieces with a razor knife or hacksaw.
You can trim them so they have a slight wedge shape, so they will wedge tight against the sides as you pack them into the hole.

Then just pack and stack little pieces into the bottom of the hole.
You might have to get a helper to lift up on the pipe while you stuff shim pieces in there.

You would have to experiment to find the best way to keep them from eventually falling into the hole.
Maybe squirt in a few blobs of bath caulk all around the shim pieces to glue them into place.

It might not be in the elbow straight. Heat up the elbow and see if it will raise up for you. You'll need another pair
of hands. One to heat it and one to raise the spout.