How Does Shower Diverter Work?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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This diverter valve, also known as a tee diverter, is located on the end of the tub spout (see photo above). Activating it requires

simply pulling up on the diverter

, which then sends water to the showerhead. Pushing the diverter back to the downward position restores water flow to the tub again.

How does shower diverter stem work?

This diverter valve, also known as a tee diverter, is located on the end of the tub spout (see photo above). Activating it requires

simply pulling up on the diverter

, which then sends water to the showerhead. Pushing the diverter back to the downward position restores water flow to the tub again.

How does a diverter valve work?

How does a diverter valve work? Diverter valves

switch the flow of water between the tub faucet and the showerhead

. Water flows directly through the faucet and into the bathtub when the valve is open. When the valve is closed, water pressure forces the water to run upward to the showerhead.

How do you fix a shower diverter?

  1. Turn off the water supply to your shower.
  2. Seal off your drain with tape so that small screws or other important parts are not lost down the drainpipe.
  3. Tighten the screws behind the faceplate of the diverter valve. …
  4. Disassemble the shower diverter. …
  5. Replace the diverter.

How do I know if my shower diverter is bad?

To know if your diverter valve is bad, you should check to see

if there is not enough water flow

, if water flows from both the showerhead and tup fill spigot at the same time, or if there is irregular water flow. A bad diverter valve can also cause excessive or insufficient amounts of hot water.

Why is my shower diverter stuck?

How to Loosen a Bathtub Faucet Diverter.

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.

How do I know if my diverter valve is working?

After you remove the lid of the boiler, you have to locate the diverter valve mechanism.

Run tap water on hot and observe the diverter valve

. If you run hot water, the valve is supposed to close in order to divert it to the tap, meaning it should move. If you see no movement, then it’s stuck.

Do I need to turn off the water to change a diverter valve?

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.

How much does it cost to replace a shower diverter?

Depending on the severity of the leak, it can cost between $150 and $500 to fix it. The average cost to fix a broken diverter

is $125

.

Can a shower diverter cause a leak?

When a diverter valve is working properly, water only flows out of either the tub spout or the showerhead. However,

diverters very often leak significantly

, allowing water to flow out of the tub spout even when in shower mode, as shown in Figure 3.

Can a bad shower diverter cause low water pressure?


a defective or stuck bathtub spout diverter can cause low shower pressure

. This is because your diverter is unable to divert water from your tub spout up to your shower head effectively. To fix this problem, call a plumber to fix/replace your spout diverter.

Can a shower valve body go bad?

If the cartridge wears out, your shower valve won’t function properly. (Indicated by leaking or seeping water.) The rubber rings and parts around the shower valve may need to be replaced, as these shower components are susceptible to

breaking, corrosion, or dry-rot

.

How do you lubricate a shower diverter valve?

If the diverter valve seems to be sticking, or stuck, try using a

cooking spray or diverter lube (like WD-40 Ez-Reach)

to loosen it up. Press and depress the diverter valve a few times, then spray an oil-based cooking spray onto the plunger where visible. Pump the diverter valve a few more times.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.