Why Does the Inside of My New Fill Spout Look Discolored or Oxidized?

If the inside of your new fill spout looks dark, mottled, or oxidized, you are looking at the natural color of rough brass, and it is not a defect. Ella fill spouts are made of brass, and the unfinished interior surface simply shows what brass looks like before it is polished or plated. This is true even when the spout has never left its original shrink wrap inside the hardware box, so there is no need to replace the spout before installing it.

What You Are Actually Seeing

The outside of the spout is the finished, decorative surface. The inside is the rough, unfinished brass that water passes through, and it is not polished. Rough brass has a textured, uneven, brownish or goldish tone that is easy to mistake for corrosion when you look down the opening with a flashlight or a phone camera. That texture and color are part of the material itself. They are not a coating that has broken down, and they are not a sign that humidity reached the part while it sat in the tub waiting for installation.

Is It Fine to Install and Use?

Yes. Ella technical support has confirmed that the rough brass interior is the normal appearance of the spout and not a problem. Go ahead and install the spout as described in your faucet instructions. If your installer already has the deck hardware in place, there is nothing to swap out.

What Is Not Normal

The interior color is cosmetic and expected. The following are different issues and worth a closer look:

1. Visible cracks, chips, or pitting on the outer finished surface of the spout.
2. Water weeping from the base of the spout where it meets the deck after the faucet is connected and pressurized.
3. Water that keeps flowing from the spout when the valve is closed. That points to the valve or cartridge rather than the spout, and the steps in water keeps flowing with the valve off will help.
4. A steady drip long after shutoff. A short drip is usually the spout emptying itself, as explained in why the faucet drips for a while after shutoff. A constant drip is covered in why the faucet drips constantly.

If You Still Want It Checked

Photos are the fastest way to get a clear answer. Take a well-lit picture looking into the spout and one of the outside finish, then open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with your model and serial number. Support can confirm whether what you see is the normal brass texture or something that needs attention. If a part is ever found to be defective, replacement parts ship under the warranty, and your local licensed plumber handles the swap.

Related Guides

• Faucet Supply Hose Leaking Under the Deck: Access, Identification and Replacement
• Replacing Your Walk-In Tub Faucet Set, Valves or Hand Mixer
• Buying a Fast-Fill Faucet Set or Valve Body on Its Own: Specs, Finishes and Deck Hole Size

Common Questions

Still Need Help?

Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.