Repair a Three Handle Tub and Shower Faucet Diverter Valve
- Step 1 - Cut the Water. This may seem obvious, but it’s all too easy to forget. Before you get started pulling faucets...
- Step 2 - Remove the Diverter Knob. Next, you’ll need to remove the diverter handle, which is probably located in the...
- Step 3 - Take out the Diverter Valve. Take the valve out of the diverter...
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.
How do you fix a 3 handle shower valve?
0:4312:12How to Repair a Three Handle Shower Valve | Ask This Old HouseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd now it comes to this point called a diverter. And then the water will either come down throughMoreAnd now it comes to this point called a diverter. And then the water will either come down through the spout or if you close the diverter it'll stop it and force the water up to the showerhead.
How do you remove a 3 handle shower handle?
0:203:23How To Repair Replace 3 Handle Shower Valve - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce you do that you're gonna want to turn the water on just to test it to make sure the water isMoreOnce you do that you're gonna want to turn the water on just to test it to make sure the water is off. This is a tool that we're going to use to remove these cartridges.
How do you fix a shower diverter handle?
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...•
How do you replace a 3 way shower valve?
0:1312:46How to repair/replace 3 way shower valve/stem - FAST & EASY! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHey youtubers mic boards with a mic ports channel thank you for watching today we're talkingMoreHey youtubers mic boards with a mic ports channel thank you for watching today we're talking bathroom tub faucets. And you're probably watching this video because you have a steady drip or a steady
How do 3 handle shower faucets work?
A three-valve shower has three different handles that you turn to open or close the valves. One handle opens the hot water valve, one opens the cold water valve, and the third (generally in the middle of the temperature valves) diverts the water into the spigot or up to the shower head.
How do you install a 3 way shower diverter valve?
1:0719:21Installing a New Shower Valve with 3-Way Diverter [copper pipe]YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTight flame protector for inside the walls. The mount looks like it is tight to the brass. There notMoreTight flame protector for inside the walls. The mount looks like it is tight to the brass. There not tight to the brow.
What is a 3 way diverter valve shower?
The three-way diverter allows you to alternate between any of your selected shower outputs by directing the water from the shower head to each additional accessory, one at a time. The diverter will not adjust the water temperature or turn the water off or on.
Why is my shower diverter not 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 fix a faulty 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!
How do you replace a shower diverter?
0:155:20How to replace a spout diverter if your shower pull stopped workingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then turn it counterclockwise while pulling away from the shadow wall continue to turnMoreAnd then turn it counterclockwise while pulling away from the shadow wall continue to turn counterclockwise until the spout is completely removed. You may need to remove the plumber's tape.
Do you have to turn off water to change 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 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.
What type of shower handle do I have?
Look at the center of the trim plate behind the shower handle to find a brand name or manufacturer symbol. If you see a "K," the faucet is a Kohler unit; an "M" signifies Moen. American Standard, Delta and Price Pfister typically print their entire name on the faucet itself.
How do you take off a shower knob?
Twist the knob counterclockwise to remove it from the valve. It should twist off easily. If the knob seems to be stuck on the valve, give it a few very light taps with a hammer on the outside, where you hold it to turn it. This will loosen any mineral deposits and it won't damage the knob.
Can you replace shower handle without replacing valve?
The handle and trim for the tub/shower controls can also usually be replaced without redoing any plumbing by using a universal replacement kit (available for most brands at home centers and plumbing supply stores).
What does a 3 function diverter valve do?
The three-way diverter allows you to alternate between any of your selected shower outputs by directing the water from the shower head to each additional accessory, one at a time. The diverter will not adjust the water temperature or turn the water off or on.
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!
How to remove diverter valve?
Remove the old diverter stem valve by removing the nut and pulling it loose. Use care when doing this because the pipes are usually made of very soft copper.
What to do if your shower faucet is not working properly?
Screwdrivers. If your three-handle shower faucet is not properly diverting the flow of water to the shower head and bathtub spout the way it should, you should replace it. Replacing the diverter valve in the system is a straightforward task and is great for DIY enthusiasts.
What is a cartridge in a shower?
The cartridge is a section of piping that is used to connect the handle of your faucet to the plumbing behind the shower wall. The front section of the cartridge is used to connect to the handle and turns whenever you turn the faucet handle. The back part of the cartridge connects to the diverter stem valve, and is used to direct ...
How to close water meter valve?
To close the valve, simply turn it clockwise until it is completely tightened and the water pressure has been cut off.
Can a 3 handle shower faucet fall down the drain?
When working on the diverter valve of your three-handle shower faucet, there are several small pieces that could fall down the drain. So, cover the drain opening in your tub with a cloth or other object that will prevent this from happening.
How to remove a diverter valve?
This will vary slightly according to what model diverter you have, but you’ll probably have to use a wrench to unscrew a front and back bolt. Use some cleaning fluid, rags, and if necessary Q-tips to clean any residue or build-up inside the valve that was blocking water flow. If needed, replace the rubber washers around the valve.
What does it mean when a shower faucet goes bad?
The problems start, however, when something goes wrong in the faucet and boom: you switch the handle to the shower, and water still leaks out of the bathtub faucet, meaning water wasted and less water pressure for your shower.
How to stop a tub from falling down the drain?
Shut off the water at the main water shutoff. Put a drop cloth in the tub to protect it from any work and also to prevent small parts from falling down the drain. Remove the handles from the valves using the screwdriver. They’re usually under small covers that read “hot” and “cold.”.
How to tighten bonnets on a car?
Tighten the bonnets on each of the stems with the open-ended adjustable wrench.
Why put a drop cloth in a tub?
Put a drop cloth in the tub to protect it from any work and also to prevent small parts from falling down the drain.
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 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.
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.
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.
How To Fix A Shower Diverter Gate
Before you consider fixing your shower diverter, you need to know and understand each part. A shower diverter has two components:
FAQs on How To Fix A Shower Diverter Gate
A leak can arise when the valve isn’t perfectly sealed. The normal place for water to flow out is the showerhead or the tub spout. If water drips out of the faucet, then you need to fix it.
Takeaway
Fixing a shower diverter is a straightforward process. This can save you the cost of hiring a plumber. The main goal is to ensure the flow of water diverts from the showerhead to the bathtub with the help of the bathtub spout.
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:
