Comments on: How To Replace a Shower Diverter Valve

By: Tom Coffee

Tom Coffee — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:22:07 +0000

Brigid: Not sure… is there any chance that you could have lodged a piece of washer or something in there? Or is the water drizzling out after you took the faucet off? I know this is a pretty basic question, but is the water supply to the shower/tub turned off?

By: Brigid

Brigid — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:04:45 +0000

Hey, me and my step dad are replacing the shower/tub valve and we are having a problem because there is water drizzling out of where the tub faucet is going to be. Is there a way to fix this or should we just start over?

By: Jim O

Jim O — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:52:18 +0000

Hi, Tom…

Great site here, and your photos are dead on to what my set up looks like. Thanks VERY much for bein’ here. We got the old diverter out, but after we screw in the brand new one, we can’t get the water to completely divert up to the shower. We tried to replace the seat per Gilberto’s direction, but we can’t get the old seat out, even with a seat wrench. So close, yet so frustrating. Anyway, we’ve ended up just replacing the washer at the tip of the old diverter’s stem, and voila!

By: MIke

MIke — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:52:41 +0000

Excellent article. The photos helped. The entire project took a little over an hour including the trip to the hardware store to find a replacement diverter. The part cost a little over $12. The advice about caulking the knob plate was especially useful. I wouldn’t have thought about that, but your explanation made a lot of sense. Thanks.

By: Tom Coffee

Tom Coffee — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:24:28 +0000

Carlos – Great solution, thank you very much!

Milton – A sudden stop in water flow could mean a valve leak or, if you’re lucky, just a worn washer or something worn out. Without knowing too much more about the situation my guess would be that you’d want to take off the hot water handle and valve to see if you can replace it. That would be my first step. If replacing the valve doesn’t help then you may have a problem at another valve or piece of paper earlier in the water line. Good luck!

By: carlos

carlos — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:34:16 +0000

I found the solution for those who cannot get all the water to come out from the shower-head (even if the handle is turned all the way to shower-head). We bought the package containing the three stem-handle assemblies set and installed them all but could not get all the water coming out from the shower-head. It was coming out about 50/50 between tub-faucet and shower-head. After trying everything to fix it(adjustments, disassemble and assemble them over and over) I noticed the old shower diverter assembly had an o-ring that was so worn out I had not seen it when took it out (not included with the set of new handles). The o-ring that worked for us was a size #14 and it sits right where the moving part presses against the diverter body when it is turned all the way.

By: milton

milton — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 11:48:36 +0000

Trying to help an elderly fellow out, says his hot water at the tub area was working fine, water coming out faucet good and all of sudden water just barely coming out.

Could something have come threw the line and stopped water flow, or washer/spring just wore out,or what? How can i help him?

By: Larry

Larry — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:25:17 +0000

Well I solved my own problem. Heeding all the warnings not to overtighten when installing I actually failed to tighten enough. A little more turning and tightening down and I have an excellent shower. Incidentally for those replacing the seat valves with that square tipped wrench here’s a tip from my local hardware store plumbing guy. I couldn’t get the old ones out and I seemed to be stripping the valve seat or rounding the hole. The guy told me to try tapping the wrench in with a hammer; not pounding, just tapping it in to get a good fit. Worked like charm. Best of luck to everyone, hope you all get a good hot shower.

By: barnabus

barnabus — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 20:26:26 +0000

Wade, I had your issue also. I kept chipping away at the hole until it got large enough and I could pull it out–otherwise it just spins and spins the way you describe.

By: brandon

brandon — Tue, 31 May 2011 13:22:50 +0000

Hello, i just changed out the shower diverter and hot/cold valves, but when i finished, water comes out of the tub spout without turning on water. i removed the spout again and had to place a cap to keep the water from shooting out. When i open up the shower handle, water already coming out without turning the hot/cold handle on. Any suggestion??

By: Ron

Ron — Sat, 28 May 2011 22:39:30 +0000

Very good advice. I like how detailed it was. I completely understood what was being said. Thank you for sharing this helpful experience.

By: R Leary

R Leary — Wed, 11 May 2011 07:35:56 +0000

Hi, I have a home built around 1956 and set out to find the ‘diverter’ replacment valve. After Lowe’s and a few other stores I found the EXACT replacment part. I carefully used plumbers grease & replace everything backwards as I took apart. I was thoroughly ‘psyched’ at the seamless/perfect repair BUT the new valve/shower still leaks thru the bath spigget as before? New knob with brand new 15 dollar valve/washer turns more smoothly but still leaks. I tried cleaning the inner area where the new diverter valve seats, and tried tightening slightly but to no avail. Any help here please? Comments are welcome!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 02:17:54 +0000

Ok I had the exact same problem and I took the diverter out and it was not the problem… brand new washer already in it. Took it to lowes to let someone with a little more expertise look at it for me and he said the diverter was in great shape and that couldnt be the problem. So now im wondering what do I do next?? could I replace the faucet with a diverter, is that possible??? Please Help!

By: John Beigler

John Beigler — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 17:35:28 +0000

Thanks for the great information. I took the diverter valve up to my local hardware store. They broke it down, replaced all washers, and cleaned it up. Cost me a whopping $7.20!

By: Cindy

Cindy — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:04:40 +0000

How hard would it be to just replace this same faucet set. I am continually having to replace the threads from wearing out in my bathroom and my sons bathroom faucet is doing the exactly what was posted here. I tried to change the diverter and Lowes’s doesn’t have the diverter so replaced the washer, cleaned it really well, put it back together and guess what? Same thing…..most all water goes down the drain and it will take you five minutes to get wet in that shower! So replacement….can you replace with typical faucet set or will I need sautering and a professional?

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 03:47:49 +0000

For those having problems getting the diverter to unscrew, I tried several things and finally used a vice grip and it was so easy it was unbelievable. I had 3 different guys trying with all their might using a wrench, monkey wrench and those kits they sell for just this purpose, but the vice grip tightens down on several sides and you can just turn. I also applied PB penetrating rust buster found at any auto parts store, but still tried for a day with that before the vice grips pulled everything right out so not sure if it helped.

By: Joaquin

Joaquin — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 21:59:45 +0000

Great advice. The only site I found with exaclty my problem. Ok, so I followed the directions and everything was fine until I tested it. I have the exact same problem. Replacing the diverter thingy didn’t fix anything. What now?

By: Chuck

Chuck — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 12:01:58 +0000

I’m having the exact same problem. So much so that I hate taking a shower because I can barely get all the soap off due to the weak shower flow. I’m headed to Home Depot so I can get a new diverter!
Thanks

By: Brian Chichi

Brian Chichi — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 01:31:19 +0000

I am a handyman and one of my customers has two diverters he said haven’t worked for years. I tried them and couldn’t get them to turn, pull or push.
I started surfing the net for answers and found your site and this posting. Yeah! I now have the knowledge to go back and replace their diverter valves.
Thanks for your through instructions.
Brian Chichi

By: JA

JA — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:20:39 +0000

I am a recent widow who has been taken thru the ringer by handymen and professionals. I have printed this article and will tackle this problem myself this weekend FINGERS CROSSED