Here’s how to repair a shower diverter in seven simple steps:
- Turn 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. ...
- Install the new diverter, making sure that the parts do not cross-thread each other. ...
- Turn the water supply back on. ...
Full Answer
How do I repair the diverter in a shower?
How do I fix shower diverter?
- 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.
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 a Price Pfister shower diverter?
How to Repair a Price Pfister Shower Valve 01 of 06. Fixing Price Pfister Shower Faucets. Turn Off the Water. Remove the Faucet Handle. Remove the Escutcheon. ... Diverter Valve on a Three-Valve Shower. Pop the handle's plastic button off with a blunt knife or ruler. Loosen the screw on the handle.
How to fix a squealing shower diverter?
- Clean the threads on the shower arm with a wire brush or old toothbrush to remove the old Teflon from it.
- Apply about 6 wraps of Teflon on the threads (in a clockwise direction) in order to make a water tight seal.
- Thread-in the shower head and tighten it slightly with the wrench. ...
- Turn on the water to the shower.
Can a shower diverter be repaired?
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.
What causes shower diverter not to work?
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 fix a broken shower diverter?
0:142:34How To Replace A Broken Shower Diverter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd removing the seal from around the diverter it twists off turn left to loosen. If it's too tightMoreAnd removing the seal from around the diverter it twists off turn left to loosen. If it's too tight you might need to wedge a screwdriver in underneath to help loosen it up.
How do you fix a shower diverter that won't stay up?
A shower diverter that won't stay up is caused by low water pressure in the line or a defective bathtub spout. Attach a pressure gauge to a spigot to determine house the pressure. If the pressure is ok replace the spout.
How much does it cost to replace a 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.
Why do Diverter valves fail?
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 you replace a shower diverter stem?
Diverter Valve on a Three-Valve ShowerLoosen the screw on the handle.Unscrew and remove the handle. ... Remove the sleeve over the diverter. ... Remove the diverter using a socket wrench. ... Unscrew the set screw. ... Unscrew spigot from the wall.
How do you replace a shower diverter push button?
1:444:17How 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.
What are the different types of shower diverters?
There are three different types of shower diverters:Three-valve diverter – These are usually found when there are separate knobs for hot and cold water. ... Two-valve diverter – This type of diverter is usually found with a single-handle faucet. ... Single-valve or T diverter – This is the most common type of diverter.
Can you use wd40 on shower diverter?
Hard water can build up and deposit in your tub spout diverter, causing it to clog. Spray some WD-40 with the spray nozzle pointed upward into the spout to the diverter valve to lubricate it. Do this a few times and it should clear any clogs.
How do you clean a shower diverter pull up?
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.
Should you push down shower diverter?
If the diverter does not immediately drop when you turn off the valves, then push it down. You want the water in the shower piping to drain immediately so the tub will dry out as soon as possible. Over time the diverter mechanism will "wear in" and will drop without having to be pushed.
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 do you know if your tub diverter valve is bad?
First, turn on the water in the tub and then divert the water to the showerhead. If you still have water coming out of the tub spout, as well as the shower, it's your spout's diverter gate that has gone bad and needs to be fixed or replaced.
How do you fix a bathtub faucet that won't turn to the shower?
0:572:57Bathroom Fixture Repair : How to Fix a Bathtub Faucet That Will Not Turn OffYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just screw this back. In tighten it down. And. That's how you would deal with it on a singleMoreYou just screw this back. In tighten it down. And. That's how you would deal with it on a single knob faucet.
Are you supposed to push down the shower diverter?
If the diverter does not immediately drop when you turn off the valves, then push it down. You want the water in the shower piping to drain immediately so the tub will dry out as soon as possible. Over time the diverter mechanism will "wear in" and will drop without having to be pushed.
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.
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 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.
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.
How to clean a spout with vinegar?
If you like, you can mix the vinegar with water. Step 3: Wrap the plastic bag around your spout, submerging the spout. Step 4: Hold the bag in place using a rubber band, string, or shoe-lace. Step 5: Leave the faucet submerged for three or four days, checking it once a day.
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.
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.
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:
Wondering How to Fix a Shower Diverter?
Have you ever gone to take a shower, and your diverter won’t lift? Or have you gone to take a bath, and it was stuck raised on the shower setting? It can be frustrating when you’re in a rush to start your day or when you just want a relaxing bath.
Fixing a Diverter in 6 Easy Steps
There’s nothing more frustrating when you want a bath, but your shower diverter is stuck on the shower setting or vice versa. The good news is that it’s a relatively easy fix.
Things to Consider
Before you begin repairing or replacing your shower diverter, there are a few things you’ll want to consider:
Frequently Asked Questions
Most homeowners have plenty to manage without even thinking about the timely replacement of shower diverters in every bathroom in the household.
So, How Do You Replace Shower Diverters?
So there you have it — how to replace a shower diverter. When you can’t get your shower diverter to work, it can put a damper on your day. Luckily, you can fix your shower diverter by turning off the water source and unscrewing the plate.
How much does it cost to fix a shower diverter?
A pretty simple fix for such a huge problem. All in all, the cost should only equate to around $15-$30 (unless, of course, you want to get fancy with your faucet types) and should only take as long as thirty minutes to complete. Make sure you remember to turn your water back on after you’re done. I hope you found these five simple steps helpful for shower diverter repair.
How to remove a leaky diverter valve?
If it is plastic, you can remove it easily with your hands or pliers. If it is brass, use a wrench and rotate counterclockwise. Make sure the small plastic sealant rim, called a washer, is not worn down, for that might be the only thing that needs replacement.
How to unscrew a diverter grip?
If you have a handle for your diverter, then use your flathead screwdriver to unscrew your grip from the wall . Watch out for any loose screws!
Why is my diverter not working?
If you find that the only reason your diverter isn’t working is because of some rust or stiffness, then some lubricant can be sprayed into the handle in order to loosen it up and give it a range of mobility. Something like WD-40 can be found at a handful of supermarkets and auto supply stores and only cost around $5-$8 depending on your local retailer.
Do all bathtub spouts work?
All bathtub spouts are not created equal! Although a cheap spout can work just fine for you, it’s important to make sure that the length of the spout is conducive to the length of your exposed pipe. Measure your pipe and the potential replacement for your spout.
How to install a new diverter valve?
Install a new device: install a new diverter/valve to make sure the parts do not thread each other. Tighten the diverter valve with a wrench, but be careful not to overtighten it. Rotate the gate or adjust the stop to make sure it is in the correct position depending on whether it is locked into place.
How to prevent wear and tear on shower deflector?
Prevent wear and tear on the shower deflector: To reduce pressure and wear and tear on the shower manifold, and to avoid repairs to the shower manifold, always release the manifold to allow the water to flow out of the bathtub faucet for a few seconds before turning off the water.
How to check if shower deflector is working?
Test valve: open the water supply again. Tighten the shower diverter to direct the flow of water to the shower head. If your shower is flowing well and the bathtub nozzle is not leaking, your shower deflector has been successfully replaced.
Can you turn on a shower if the diverter is not connected?
Turning on the shower should be as easy as pressing a switch. However, if your shower diverter is not connected, bathing is not that easy. After switching the diverter, water continues to flow from the bathtub faucet. Fortunately, repairing the shower splitter is quick and easy.
Can a broken shower diverter be repaired?
After confirming that the shower diverter is damaged, please do not delay the repair. While it can be easy to postpone this task, a broken shower diverter will waste water and give you a poor showering experience. Shower splitter repair is a renovation project that you can complete in just a day.