You are taking a shower, but you notice that the water from the pipes is not reaching up. Moreover, you also see that a good amount of water is leaking out of your bathtub spout as well. HOW TO FIX A SHOWER DIVERTER GATE?
Then you ask yourself, “Is my shower diverter not working properly?”
If you ask us, then yes, it’s not!
Turning off the valve is easy, but when your diverter valve breaks, it makes your life hell! Even if it dribbles a little, your water is still going to waste. To save the water from going down the drain, you will have to fix it.
For that, you will probably have to replace the tub’s diverter valve.
Are you worried and wondering, “How to fix bathtub faucet diverter?“
Then fret not, because there is still hope!
If you are unsure how to do it, then take a look at this article because here we have discussed everything you need to know about the shower diverter valves.
So let’s muster the 3 handle shower diverter repair kit and all the right tools and get down to business.
HOW TO FIX A SHOWER DIVERTER GATE?
Follow these important steps to fix a shower diverter gate:
Step 1: Plug The Drain Hole!
In the first step, make sure that everything is in place. In this DIY work, you will be working with small parts, so you need to be very careful.
You don’t want any small parts to get lost or misplaced, now, do you?
To ensure nothing goes down the drain, you can put a towel or a cloth over the drain hole. It will prevent parts of the plug from falling.
After doing this, you won’t have to worry if you accidentally drop something in your bathtub.
Step 2: Turn Off The Water Supply!
Before starting the repairing process, make sure to turn off the water supply for your bathroom. Many people forget this part and become wet due to the sudden water bursts.
So shutting off the valve in your bathroom is the right thing to do. And with that being done, you can move towards the next step.
Step 3: Remove The Shower Diverter’s Knob!
Now, remove the shower diverter by unfastening the screw clockwise at the center of the handle. After doing that, the diverter will be exposed, so you will be able to inspect the stem and diverter.
To inspect the insides of the removed parts to see if everything is fine. If you spot any build-ups or debris, then it would be good to remove them.
Step 4: Remove The Shower Diverter From The Faucet!
For this step, you will have to bring your adjustable wrench to clamp and detach the shower diverter from the faucet.
You can simply put, turn it, and unscrew the diverter with the wrench and remove it from the faucet.
If you are worried about the wrench leaving nasty scratches on your diverted, then you can wrap a cloth around it before the removal.
Step 5: Remove The Rubber Washer!
After completing the above step, you will have to choose one from two different choices.
First: Replace shower diverter with a brand new one
Second: If your already existing diverter is working fine, then you can use it
Since this article is all about how to fix a diverter, so for now, we will go with the second option.
Now, your next task is to unscrew the tightened rubber washer from inside the diverter and inspect it carefully.
During the inspection, if you notice that the rubber washer is worn out, replace it with a new one as soon as possible because that is the main issue of a faulty shower diverter.
While screwing the new rubber wash, you can apply the right plumbing lubricant to make it softer and last longer.
Step 6: Inspect The Insides Of The Shower Diverter!
In this part, you will have to get your flashlight to look inside the hole to check!
You have to point it straight into the shower diverter and inspect the insides to check whether or not there is any kind of debris.
Step 7: Clean It With Water!
If your shower diverter is dirty or has any build-up, clean it with hot water and rinse it a couple of times.
If the stubborn debris does not go, then it is safe to use lemon juice on the inside.
Step 8: Reinstall It Back On The Faucet!
After completing all the above steps, it is time to reinstall the shower diverter back to where it was!
You will have to first screw it back into the faucet. Then, tighten it up with an adjustable wrench.
Once you do all of that, take the knob of the shower diverter and screw it back into the spot from where you removed it.
Now, run the shower to test it. If the water is still dripping from around the handle of the diverter, make sure to fasten the unit with a socket wrench.
But, are your interested in replacement instead of fixing the existing one? Well, we have got your back!
HOW TO REPLACE A BATHTUB SPOUT SHOWER DIVERTER?
The diverted tends to wear out, and when that happens, the water pressure gradually reduces. Later, the water does not divert from the spout. Continue scrolling to know more about how to remove shower spout and how to replace it.
But before we begin, get the 3 handle shower diverter repair kit and all the right equipment to make adjustments when you are fixing or repairing.
We are telling you this because using the wrong tools will not fix your issues and may damage the fixture. So it is a good thing to take your time to read the process once and then begin the task.
So let’s go through the step by step guide below:
Step 1:
Place the towel under the spout to catch any screws from falling.
Step 2:
Then, search for the setscrew below the spout, which is next to the wall. Now, remove the set screw with a hex key and carefully pull off the spout from the supply pipe.
Those who don’t have a set screw can get a heavy-duty screwdriver to open the spout. All you have to do is remove it from the supply pipe.
Step 3:
Take a clean cloth and wipe the threads on the supply pipe before installing the new spout and diverter. To wrap the threads, make sure to use three layers of thread-seal tape.
Then, to seal the supply pipe attached to the wall, do not forget to apply silicone caulk.
Step 4:
Now, get the new spout and secure the set screw on the supply pipe. Then, slide it over the pipe and start turning it in the clockwise direction.
Step 5:
To protect your new spout, you have to wrap masking tape around the teeth on tongue-and-groove pliers. Use the pliers to tighten the spout on the pipe. However, do not over-tighten it because it could easily damage the wall and the pipe.
Step 6:
In the final step, check whether the screws are tightly connected and test the fixture to ensure that everything is well attached to prevent leaking of water in the future. HOW TO FIX A SHOWER DIVERTER GATE?
Now, let’s move towards the next sub-topic.
HOW TO FIX SHOWER DIVERTER PULL-UP?
Below we have mentioned two best options to fix diverter pull-ups for those who want to save their money. If you have stubborn stains on your diverter gate, then a lubricant will be the best way to make it work better.
Option 1: Loosen Your Diverter With Cooking Spray
A lubricant is the key ingredient of this DIY project. And any kind of cooking spray will work, so go to your kitchen and fetch some before starting your work.
Step 1:
First of all, slowly pull the diverter knob up and down to loosen it up.
Step 2:
In the second step, generously apply some cooking spray to lubricate the knob.
Step 3:
Then, try to pull it up and down again to spread the spray. If you want, then you can use the spray a few more times.
Step 4:
Then, do not forget to wipe off any excess spray from your diverter. The oil might make your bathtub slippery, so make sure to wash it as well.
And you are done!
For this step, do not use wax or hair spray because it can be corrosive and damage the plastic and metal parts of your shower.
Option 2: Soak The Whole Spout
Vinegar does not only enhance your food’s taste but also is best for cleaning purposes. Just a few drops of it can clean anything you want. HOW TO FIX A SHOWER DIVERTER GATE?
So for washing the spout, vinegar is the safest option. It will not only remove debris from the parts but also make them spotlessly clean.
Let’s check out the steps below:
Step 1:
To prevent flooding, make sure to turn off your water supply from the main spigot.
Step 2:
Check your spout to see how it is attached to the wall.
We have mentioned three common styles below:
- The first style is a threaded pipe that screws onto the wall
- The second style is a single screw under the spout
- The third style is a pop-in pipe that locks in the wall.
Step 3:
In this step, remove the spout as pet its type mentioned below:
- For the screw-on, remove the screw and pull out the spout.
- For the threaded, keep turning it anticlockwise until it comes off.
- For the pop-on, you can use a palette knife or a screwdriver to slowly and gently pry it off the wall.
Step 4:
Use sandpaper or a rasp to scrape off any stains or visible dirt from inside the spout. You can also make a thick paste of baking soda and vinegar and apply it onto the spout to scrape off the dirt. You can let it sit for 30 minutes and wash it off with water.
Step 5:
Now, pour some water and add a few drops of vinegar into a metal dish. Make sure it completely covers your spout.
Step 6:
Then, keep the spout in the metal dish and leave it soaked for three to four days. Keep an eye on the spout and remove the loose dirt by using an old toothbrush or a rag.
Step 7:
If you are happy with the results, you can dry them with a clean cloth. After it is spotless, do not forget to add Teflon tape to the tip.
Step 8:
Now, put the spout back to where it was.
Step 9:
Lastly, check whether all the parts are connected properly and reconnect the water supply. Then, run the water to check if the leaking issue is fixed or not.
You have placed a brand new shower spout, so if it is still not working properly, you will have to get another shower diverter kit. HOW TO FIX A SHOWER DIVERTER GATE?
So that’s it!
Next time, when you want to fix your shower diverter pull-up, try these two options.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can A Shower Diverter Leak?
Yes, it can!
When your shower diverter or a diverter valve is in good condition, water will flow out of either the showerhead or the tub spout.
It is normal if a small amount of water drips out of the tub’s faucet. It mostly happens because the valve doesn’t have a perfect seal.
However, many people have revealed that their diverters often leak, and that allows the water to flow out of the spout.
It happens even when it is in the shower mode, and both the energy used to heat the water gets wasted.
2. What Does A Shower Diverter Do?
Well, a shower diverter or your diverter valve is a valve that diverts the flow of water to the showerhead right from the bathtub faucet.
So, the main thing about shower diverter is that it allows you to have a bathtub and a shower in the same space.
3. What Happens When A Mixing Valve Fails?
If a mixing valve or a thermostatic mixing valve stops working properly and fails, your hot water will begin to run hotter than it should.
And sometimes, it may even make the water too cold or not run at the right temperature. If you find the water fluctuating between cold and hot, your thermostatic mixing valve is not working properly.
OUR FINAL THOUGHTS
The diverter gate plays an important role in the bathtub faucet. And next time, if you encounter a similar problem, then come back to this article and try out our easy ways to fix the shower diverter.
As you saw above, fixing is not a tough task after all, and you don’t need any kind of assistance either. But all you need is to follow our step-by-step guide properly and make sure you keep an eye on everything while doing the DIY work. Lastly, don’t try to rush and be patient because repairing things need focus, care, and time!
Good luck with your task!
Cheers!
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