If you have a shower diverter in your bathroom, you might experience a leaky shower faucet. The shower diverter is responsible for redirecting water from the showerhead to the faucet of your bathtub. However, if it fails, it can cause continuous water flow in your bathtub and shower.
Thankfully, fixing a leaky shower faucet caused by a fallen shower diverter stem is easy and can be accomplished without the help of a plumber. You can replace the fallen shower diverter stem with ease if you have a diverter spout with a front-end design. Additionally, the replacement and fixing process of the pull-out shower diverter is straightforward and won’t break your bank account. In the following section, we’ll walk you through the steps to fix a leaky shower faucet.
How Does Shower Diverter Work
A shower diverter is a useful device that allows you to switch between a shower and a bathtub with the same valve or spout. It redirects water from the bathtub faucet to the showerhead, allowing you to take a shower.
To activate the shower diverter, you need to turn it. The diverter arm on a tee diverter needs to be pulled up to redirect the water to the showerhead from the bathtub spout. You need to push it back to divert the water again to the tub.
With a two-valve shower diverter, you need to turn the diverter to redirect the water from the bathtub spout to the showerhead and vice versa.
If you have a three-valve shower diverter, you need to turn the third handle of the diverter in a clockwise direction by 180° angle to send cold and hot water for the shower.
When you need to divert the water flow towards the bathtub spout, you must turn the diverter in an anticlockwise direction.
The shower diverter lets you set up a cozy bathtub and shower space without a separate and expensive shower enclosure. It saves both money and space, thanks to its affordability and compact design. You can install it without budget limitation and then add a showerhead with ease.
The shower diverter has a simple yet effective working mechanism. It is sturdily built too. You can conveniently adjust the water temperature beforehand and then activate the shower diverter with ease. It lets you get the perfect water temperature even from your showerhead for a relaxing bathing experience.
The shower diverter is a crucial component in your bathroom’s plumbing system. It diverts the water flow from the bathtub spout to the showerhead, allowing you to take a shower. It works by redirecting the water flow through a gate or diverter stem. The diverter knob controls the water flow, and the diverter valve is responsible for the water flow’s regulation.
In conclusion, the shower diverter is an essential piece of equipment in your bathroom. It lets you switch between a shower and a bathtub with ease and saves both money and space. With its simple yet effective working mechanism, you can conveniently adjust the water temperature beforehand and then activate the shower diverter to get the perfect water temperature even from your showerhead for a relaxing bathing experience.
Why Does Your Shower Diverter Keep Failing?
A shower diverter is an important device that ensures you can switch between using your bathtub faucet and showerhead. However, if it fails, it can cause inconvenience and even damage to your bathroom. Here are some reasons why your shower diverter might be failing:
- Rust Development: If you’ve been using the same shower diverter for years, it might get damaged due to rust development. This can cause it to become faulty and fail to function properly.
- Hard Water and Residual Build-up: Hard water and residual build-up can also cause damage to your shower diverter. Over time, the build-up can cause the diverter to fail.
- Loose Diverter: If your diverter becomes loose, it won’t stay in its original position. This can cause water to flow simultaneously from the bathtub faucet and showerhead.
- Low Water Pressure: A damaged or loose diverter can fail to redirect all the water from the bathtub spout to the showerhead. This can result in inadequate water flow and pressure from both the bathtub spout and showerhead.
- Leaks: A leaky shower diverter can cause water to leak below the bathtub, which can damage your bathroom tiles and floor. Repairing it can be expensive, so it’s important to fix a failed shower diverter as soon as possible.
- Difficulty in Switching: If you find it difficult to turn the shower diverter to switch between the showerhead and bathtub faucet, there might be blockades on the diverter. You should clean the residual build-ups to remove the blockade and help the shower diverter work properly.
To prevent your shower diverter from failing, it’s important to perform regular maintenance. You can clean the diverter with vinegar to remove any build-up and ensure it continues to function properly. Additionally, you should replace your shower diverter if it’s worn out due to wear and tear. By troubleshooting any issues and performing regular maintenance, you can ensure that your shower diverter continues to function properly for years to come.
How to Fix a Fallen Out Shower Diverter?
Replacing Technique of a Front-End Shower Diverter:
To replace a front-end shower diverter, you will need the following tools:
- Diverter gate
- Diverter gasket
- Diverter stem
Follow these steps to replace the shower diverter:
- Insert the diverter gasket into the diverter gate and push the diverter stem through its hole.
- Align the diverter gate appropriately in the small spout divided into 30:70 ratios for redirecting water.
- Push the diverter gate until you hear a clicking sound. This indicates that the stem has gone right inside the shower diverter.
By following these steps, you can replace the damaged shower diverter with a single stem spout.
Replacing Technique of a Three-Valve Shower Diverter Stem:
To replace a three-valve shower diverter stem, you will need the following tools:
- New diverter stem
- Faucet handle puller
- Philip screwdriver
- Putty knife
- Socket wrench
- Flathead screwdriver
Follow these steps to replace the shower diverter stem:
- Turn off the water supply line and remove the screw of the middle knob by removing its plate. Then, remove the screw with the flathead or Philip screwdriver to accurately pull out the middle knob.
- Remove the cover or escutcheon of the three-valve shower diverter. If the plate is attached to the wall, use a putty knife to remove it carefully.
- Remove the worn-out rubber gasket and work with the stem.
- Pull out the old stem with a socket wrench and ensure that the new diverter stem matches the socket size for convenient installation.
Shower Diverter Repla cement Cost
Although shower diverters are sturdily built, the average cost of shower diverter replacement could be around $10 to $25, depending on the model you will use for your bathtub and shower. However, you will need to pay a bit more if you replace the spout. Plus, calling a professional plumber might double your cost.
By following the steps mentioned above, you can easily fix the problematic shower diverter on your own.
Final Words
In conclusion, maintaining your shower diverter is crucial for its longevity and overall cleanliness of your bathroom. While shower diverter fell-out incidents are rare, it is important to have replacement suggestions ready in case of emergency. Keeping the shower diverter clean by removing residual build-up around it can also prevent future problems.
