What Is A Shower Diverter Valve?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Your shower diverter works to ensure water is flowing freely between the showerhead and the bath faucet . These valves are common in older homes that were constructed before built-in valves became the standard.

How do I know if my shower diverter valve 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.

What is a shower diverter used for?

Your shower diverter works to ensure water is flowing freely between the showerhead and the bath faucet . These valves are common in older homes that were constructed before built-in valves became the standard.

Is a shower valve the same as a diverter?

While diverter valves and shower valves look similar to one another, they provide very different functions and are not interchangeable . The main difference between a diverter valve and a shower valve is that one turns the water on/off while the other directs the flow of water between fixtures.

How do you fix a shower diverter valve?

  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 diverter valve is working?

  1. Taps not getting hot water. The most common symptom of a faulty diverter valve is when you don’t get any hot water to your taps and showerheads. ...
  2. Lots of hot water, but no heating. ...
  3. You have hot water only if the heating is on.

How long does a shower diverter last?

The valves are easy to move against pressure. Control the volume from off to full on by leaving them set to the same temperature. The system costs about $30 to replace, but they last for 20 to 30 years .

What happens when a shower diverter goes bad?

There can be some problems with your shower diverter. Shower diverter valve types control whether water comes out of the tub spout or out of the showerhead . ... All styles can become ineffective over time, resulting in water that won’t come out of the showerhead or that drips out of the tub spout and/or showerhead.

What can go wrong with a shower valve?

There are a few ways to tell if your shower cartridge has gone bad: Dripping or running water when you turn your shower off (most common) Difficulty turning the shower handle, which worsens over time. Shower handle gets stuck or “slips” and doesn’t turn on the water.

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.

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.

What is the difference between a diverter valve and a transfer valve?

The main difference between a diverter and a transfer valve is how they direct the water supply . Diverters switch the flow of water between a tub and shower—either the showerhead or the tub faucet gets the water flow. Transfer valve sends water to multiple outlets at the same time.

Does a diverter valve increase performance?

The diverter valve takes that compressed air and recycles it through the intake stream. If it had not diverted the air, the air would have caused the turbo to start spinning backwards as the air was sucked back into it. ... The blow-off valve features a cool “pfftt” sound, but it results in a richer running engine.

Why is my shower diverter stuck?

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 much does it cost to replace a shower diverter valve?

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 . There are examples of shower repair pricing.

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.

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.