Repair your shower the easy way
- Soak your faucet in vinegar to get rid of dirt and hard water residue.
- Spray the diverter knob with cooking spray to lubricate its sticky bits.
- Replace the shower diverter gate using a store-bought repair kit.
- Replace the whole spout with a newer model from the hardware store.
Full Answer
Why is my shower diverter not working?
Option 4 – Replace the valve gate
- Turn off your water using your main bathroom spigot.
- Cover the drain with duct tape. This prevents small faucet bits and screws from going down the drain and getting lost.
- Remove your shower spout from the wall and carry it to the hardware store.
- Ask for a replacement gate valve that fits your shower model.
How to fix the diverter in your shower?
What Is a Shower Diverter?
- Step One: Prepping Your Area. First things first, you’re going to want to clear the area and make sure you are adequately prepared to fix your diverter.
- Step Two: Accessing the issue. ...
- Step Three: Removing Your Shower Faucet/Handle. ...
- Step Four: Lubricate Your Shower Diverter. ...
- Step Five: Correct Any Leaks. ...
How to repair a leaky tub and shower faucet?
- Clear any rust, wax or caulk from around the base.
- Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the bolts that hold it together. ...
- Remove the stem and install a new one in the fitting using new bolts. ...
- If the bathtub faucet is still dripping after replacing the handle, washer and stem, you may need to replace the entire bathtub spout.
How to fix shower diverter pull down?
- Pull the shower diverter knob up. This could be hard but just force it up. ...
- Slide the file inside one of the groove and start filing it up and down. ...
- When you are satisfied that the groove is clean move to the next one and file it as well.
- Push the shower diverter knob down and pull it up again. ...
What is the difference between a tee valve and a shower diverter?
How much does it cost to replace a shower spout?
How to stop a handheld shower from leaking?
What does a shower valve do when it is not working?
How to get rid of hard water residue on faucet?
What to do if your diverter gate is stubborn?
Why does my diverter gate keep squeaking?
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How do you fix a shower tub diverter?
How to Repair a Shower DiverterTurn off the water supply to your shower.Seal off your drain with tape so that small screws or other important parts are not lost down the drainpipe.Tighten the screws behind the faceplate of the diverter valve. ... Disassemble the shower diverter. ... Replace the diverter.More items...•
What causes a shower diverter to stop working?
The most common issue with a shower diverter is when water comes out of both the tub faucet and the showerhead. Check to be sure there is no residue clogging the shower diverter lever from fully lifting or lowering. If everything looks clear, the problem could be worn-out parts in the shower diverter valve.
How do you put a shower diverter back together?
1:166:11Tub faucet spout diverter pull lever broke off - DIY fix - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd this is what your rod grabs a hold of inside your spout. And this rubber little grommet gasketMoreAnd this is what your rod grabs a hold of inside your spout. And this rubber little grommet gasket has to be in there. And in the event that yours pops out i want to show you how to put this back in.
How do you fix a diverter stem?
4:568:263 Handle Shower & Tub Faucet - Repair - Replace Diverter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake the bowel to the hardware store and get the correct sized washer. It's a good idea to replaceMoreTake the bowel to the hardware store and get the correct sized washer. It's a good idea to replace the screw tip. The screws size and threads can vary a good hardware store will stock.
How do I know if my shower diverter is bad?
First, if the valve is engaged but water continues to come out of the tub spout only, the gate is severely damaged or has fallen out completely. Second, if the valve is engaged but the showerhead experiences low water pressure and water continues to drip from the spout, the gasket has failed or is starting to fail.
How much does it cost to replace shower diverter?
Replacing a shower diverter valve costs $225 to $575, including materials and labor. A shower diverter valve switches the flow of water between the bathtub spout or shower head and is typically controlled by a small handle located on the center trim plate or near the tub spout.
How do you replace a tub diverter spout?
0:153:36how to replace tub spout, change tub diverter. Easy! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt. So first we're going to just try to spin this guy off. And it's spinning pretty easy we've got aMoreIt. So first we're going to just try to spin this guy off. And it's spinning pretty easy we've got a set screw under here. But it looks like this will probably just spin.
How do you replace a tub diverter valve?
Diverter Valve on a SpigotUnscrew the set screw. See how the spigot is attached to the wall. ... Unscrew spigot from the wall. Be careful! ... Wash Supply Pipe. Make sure that you clean off any bits of gunk from the supply pipe. ... Replace new spout on the copper pipe. ... Test it and make sure it works!
Do I need to turn the water off to change a shower diverter?
If you're only working on the diverter, you don't need to turn off the water supply to the faucet. While working, place a cloth over the tub drain to prevent any dropped screws from going down the drain. Some showers use a diverter built into the tub spout activated by lifting a button on the spout.
How do you fix a shower diverter push button?
1:494:17How To Replace Install Diverter Push Button Shower Tub Easy SimpleYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn and keep the button pressed in until we get it threaded after the first or second twist youMoreIn and keep the button pressed in until we get it threaded after the first or second twist you should be able to let go of the button.How To Replace Install Diverter Push Button Shower Tub Easy Simplehttps://www.youtube.com › watchhttps://www.youtube.com › watchSearch for: How do you fix a shower diverter push button?
What is a diverter stem?
The function the diverter stem is solely to direct the water to the shower head or the tub nozzle and with this repair you won't have to shut off any water to the fixture itself. Just make sure the hot and cold water sides the shower body are in the off position.Diverter Stem Replacement - BobsPlumbingVideos.comhttp://www.bobsplumbingvideos.com › diverter-stem-repl...http://www.bobsplumbingvideos.com › diverter-stem-repl...Search for: What is a diverter stem?
How do you fix a stuck shower diverter valve?
Spray penetrating lubricant into the spout opening so it hits the diverter piece. Spray the penetrating lubricant around the post on the top of the water spout and wait five minutes or more before trying the diverter again. If this does not work, replace the spout.
Why does my diverter valve keep failing?
Diverter valves can become damaged or stuck. This is because they're a moving part and can be oscillating between being open or closed many times a day. However, they are fixable. If you have no hot water, try turning the heating on.
How do I know if my diverter valve is working?
If you find yourself with no hot water when you first turn on your tap, turn on the heating and wait a few minutes before trying your hot tap again. If hot water starts to come out, this suggests that it is likely your diverter valve is faulty.
How do you clean a shower diverter?
0:142:25“cleaning” a bath tub DIVERTER VALVE so it works again - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPosition where it diverts the water up to the shower to remove this diverter you want to spin. OffMorePosition where it diverts the water up to the shower to remove this diverter you want to spin. Off the little knob.
How to replace a diverter?
Replace the diverter. To be sure you purchase the correct replacement, bring your old diverter with you to the store. Install the new diverter, making sure that the parts do not cross-thread each other. Use a wrench to tighten the diverter, being cautious not to overtighten it.
Why is my shower diverter not working?
If, after you trigger your shower diverter, water continues to leak out of the bathtub spout rather than the showerhead, the shower diverter is not working properly. This could mean that the inner rubber stopper isn't creating a good seal to fully block and redirect the flow of water, or it could be another problem.
What Is a Shower Diverter, Anyway?
A shower diverter is the mechanism that reroutes the water from your bathtub faucet to your showerhead. Many shower diverters are controlled by a pin knob that you pull, but there are many types. Maybe yours is turned on with a button or with a third faucet handle between the bathtub’s hot and cold knobs.
Can you turn on a shower when the diverter breaks?
Turning on your shower should be as easy as the flip of a switch. But when your shower diverter breaks, taking a shower is not so easy—water continues to pour from your tub’s faucet after you’ve switched the diverter. Luckily, repairing a shower diverter is quick and fairly simple.
Can you fix a broken shower diverter?
Once you’ve determined that your shower diverter is broken, don’ t delay in repairing it. Though it might be an easy task to put off, a broken shower diverter wastes water and creates a poor shower experience. Repairing a shower diverter is a home improvement project that you can complete in just one day. Here’s how to repair a shower diverter in seven simple steps:
How to make sure water is coming out of shower head?
1. Start this process by ensuring that the water is coming out of the tub faucet and not the shower head. Although it is not necessary to turn off your water supply, you want to make sure that if water does start coming, you don’t get soaked in the process! 2.
Where is the tee diverter located?
1. Due to this being a tee diverter, the diverter is located within the bathtub faucet, so you will want to start by trying to clean the faucet.
What parts need to be replaced in a bib washer?
2. The parts that may need to be replaced include corroded nuts and/or a bib washer. The bib washer can be worn down or even nonexistent!
What tool to remove a screw from a faucet?
2. Note that the tool to remove the screw could be an Allen Wrench, Flat Head Screwdriver, or a Phillips Head Screwdriver. 3.
How to remove a knob from a sandbox?
Start by removing the knob. Find the screw, if not visible it is located under the plastic button which will need to be popped off using a small flathead screwdriver. 1. Once the knob has been removed, use your hand or a handle remover to remove the base.
Is it bad to have a shower faucet leaking?
It is never a good thing when your shower tub faucet starts leaking, but it is a good thing when you know what to do to fix it! As long as you have the time, tools, and parts for the job you can definitely learn how to fix shower diverter all on your own!
What is a shower diverter?
Your shower diverter is a mechanism that directs water from your bathtub faucet up to the showerhead. There are three main variations of the diverter valve: the three-valve diverter, two-valve diverter, and tee-diverter. Each has its own use. Three-valve diverters are for showers with two-tap faucets. Two-valve diverters are used in showers ...
What happens if my shower diverter isn't working?
If it isn’t working properly, then water will flow out of both your faucet and your showerhead whenever you use either.
What is a three valve diverter?
Three-valve diverters are for showers with two-tap faucets. Two-valve diverters are used in showers with a single-dial temperature adjuster. Tee-diverters are the most common type of diverter. If you pull up on your diverter to send water from the faucet to the showerhead, then it’s a tee-diverter.
What happens if you break a shower diverter?
A broken shower diverter leads to a subpar bathing experience and it wastes water. That means increased water bills and generally bad times in the future. The kind of bad times you can easily avoid. If you ever need help with your home’s shower repairs, never hesitate to call the team at Ben Franklin.
How to stop water from seeping in drain?
Seal off the drain. Use duct tape or something similar that can catch any small screws that get away from you. You don’t want to lose anything in your pipes.
Where should the water flow from the shower spout go?
The water flowing from the spout should go straight to the showerhead. Water should only flow out of either the faucet or the shower heat, never both. Give yourself a pat on the back for a DIY plumbing repair job well done! Don’t take your time getting this fixed as soon as you notice problems.
Can you replace a diverter?
Take the diverter you just removed to the store and get help finding a replacement. It won’t cost a lot, and replacing the entire device is easier and more effective than replacing individual parts.
What is a shower diverter?
If you have a shower-bathtub combination in your bathroom, you then surely have a shower diverter which as its name suggests diverts water to the shower head from the tub spout and back to the spout when needed.
How to tell if shower diverter is bad?
The signs of a bad shower diverter are a leaking bathtub faucet when the shower is on, not enough hot water, unbalanced/irregular water flow, sticky handle/knob or a sudden gash of hot water when someone flushes the toilet or runs another appliance.
How many O rings are in a shower diverter valve?
The shower diverter valve has 2 O-rings also which can as well wear out causing leaks.
What is an escutcheon on a valve?
An escutcheon is the trim plate which hides the valve opening on the wall. The escutcheon will either be threaded on the valve stem or held in place using a retaining nut. Before attempting to remove the escutcheon, check if it is caulked to the wall. If it is, cut through the caulk with a putty knife.
How many handles does a double handle shower faucet have?
Double handle shower faucet. Here you will have 2 shower faucet handles, one for the cold water and the other one for the hot water. You will also have a pull-up shower diverter at the top of the bathtub spout.
Why does my shower head not have a spout?
When the rubber washer is in contact with the valve seat, a watertight seal is created allowing water to flow to the shower head but not tub spout. With the time, due to the friction between the rubber washer and the valve seat, the washer starts to wear out, failing to seal properly.
What is a 3 handle shower faucet?
Three handle shower faucet. With a three handle shower faucet, the middle valve will be the one connected and used to operate the shower diverter valve. The valve handle is either pulled or turned across an 180 0 angle to divert water to the shower head.
What is the difference between a tee valve and a shower diverter?
With two-valves and three-valves, you’ll find the corresponding number of copper pipes. If your shower diverter is a two-valve, focus on the temperature dial.
How much does it cost to replace a shower spout?
Shower spouts aren’t that expensive. You can get a replacement for as low as $20. Decide whether you want to buy the same model you have or replace it with a universal spout.
How to stop a handheld shower from leaking?
When you want to stop your handheld showerhead from leaking, you need to clean the inner parts of your diverter gate. Step 1: Turn off your water supply from the main spigot. This prevents flooding.
What does a shower valve do when it is not working?
If your bathtub has a showerhead, your shower valve redirects water from the showerhead to the tub faucet. When it’s not working, water simultane ously pours from both outlets. It’s easy to fix, so let’s learn how. Shower valves have two parts:
How to get rid of hard water residue on faucet?
Soak your faucet in vinegar to get rid of dirt and hard water residue.
What to do if your diverter gate is stubborn?
If your diverter gate stays stubborn after your vinegar soak, try using a lubricant to make it work better. Any cooking spray will do, and you probably have some in the kitchen.
Why does my diverter gate keep squeaking?
Option 1 – Clean your spout. Sometimes, the diverter gate gets stuck. When you try to turn it or pull it up, it refuses to budge or makes squeaky, grating noises. If you do manage to pull it up, it may stick at the top and refuse to push back down. This is probably due to accumulated dirt, grease, and limescale.
