How to Fix a Shower Water Diverter

A shower diverter has a knob that activates the shower.

The diverter in a bathtub is the spout and knob used to send water up to the shower head. When the diverter is not working correctly, water comes out of the spout. This means less water is going to the shower because the diverter is old or worn. You can fix a show water diverter by first determining if the old diverter is bad and must be replaced.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Allen wrench
• Pipe wrench
• Plumber's tape

Instructions

1. Observe the underside of the spout and look for a set screw used to secure the spout to the water pipe.

2. Loosen the screw on the bottom of the spout with the Allen wrench or screwdriver. Insert the Allen wrench or screwdriver into the head of the set screw. Loosen the screw by turning it counterclockwise and then pull the diverter off the water pipe.

3. Place a pipe wrench over the spout if it does not have a set screw. Loosen the spout by turning it counterclockwise.

4. Pull and twist on the spout to pull it off the water pipe. Set the old diverter aside and remove any old plumber's tape from the threads on the water pipe.

5. Wrap new plumber's tape around the threads on the water pipe. Insert or thread the new diverter onto the water pipe by pushing and turning it clockwise by hand.

6. Secure the diverter to the water pipe by tightening the set screw with the Allen wrench or screwdriver. Insert the pipe wrench over the spout and turn it clockwise to tighten, if necessary.

7. Turn on the water and pull up on the knob to test the new diverter.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover the drain with a washcloth so the set screw does not go down the drain. Alternatively, close the drain.

References

• This Old House: Replace a Leaky Shower Diverter