We all know our plumbing pipes are all interconnected somehow behind our walls but it does seem like a bit of a mystery when you go to use one thing and it affects another.
Such is the case if your shower head tends to leak when you turn on the faucet to your bathtub.
The most likely cause of this issue is your diverter valve which is supposed to divert water from your bathtub faucet TO your shower head when you pull the lever or turn the knob, etc.
Fixing The Shower Diverter Valve
The good news is that fixing this problem is not a very difficult job but if you’re not a handy type of person – we do recommend that you contact a professional plumber to do the job quick and easy for you.
But if you are going to try to tackle this on your own – here’s the information you need.
Step 1: Make the decision to either fix the diverter valve or purchase a new one. Oftentimes – if you have an older home – we do recommend that you go ahead and purchase a newer product to replace one that may be too old to fix.
Step 2: Cover the bathtub drain with a washcloth or some type of plug.
Step 3: You will need to remove the bathtub spout – that will be different depending on the type of spout you have. Spouts are either attached with some type of screw or they are threaded onto a pipe. If your spout is fastened with a screw you should see a small hole or screw on the underside of your spout.
Step 4: Once the spout is removed, we recommend that you replace both the rubber washer (only because that can get worn out as well) and the shower diverter.
Here’s a short video demonstrating how to replace your shower diverter valve.
If you have any questions about water softeners or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.