How to Fix Tub Diverter Valve Leaks

If your shower or tub are leaking, the diverter valve may to be blame. A diverter valve has one inlet and directs water to other outlets like shower and tub nozzles. Over time, diverter valves begin to leak. Fixing a leaky tub diverter valve is an easy task that take less than one hour to repair.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wrench
• Screwdriver

1. Remove the knob and the face plate covering the diverter. Use a screwdriver and a wrench to loosen the pieces. The diverter valve sits behind the knob or lever that switches the outlets.

2. Look for the brass nuts on a stem. The nuts are different sizes on different diverter valves. Most diverter valves have two nuts.

3. Open the valve on the diverter. Expect water to seep out around the nuts on the stem.

4. Tighten the inside nut on the stem until water stops leaking from it. If the diverter valve continues to leak after the inside nut is as tight is it can be, tighten the remaining nuts until the leak stops.

5. Exchange the old nuts with new ones if the leak continues.

6. Replace the face plate and the knob on the faucet when finished with the repairs.

Tips & Warnings

• If this process does not stop the leak, the diverter may be faulty. Consider replacing the diverter valve.
• Cover the end of the wrench with electrical tape. This keeps the teeth in the wrench from scarring the faucet.
• Do not strip the threads on the nuts when tightening them.