One day you might take a shower, and the next you might run the bath. For everyone with a combination shower and bathtub, this is a choice we don’t expect to go wrong.

Life becomes a little tougher when the option is taken away. That’s why home warranty coverage can offer you peace of mind for when these problems happen, like with your shower diverter.

Need help choosing a plan? Give us a call today: 860-288-4791

What is the shower diverter?

A shower diverter is a simple mechanism that diverts water from your tub’s faucet to your shower head.

There are a variety of diverters. Some have a handle that rotates, while others involve a gate with a simple knob to pull up or down. The shower diverter is usually found next to or around the temperature knobs of your bathtub or on top of the tub’s faucet.

Shower Diverter Troubleshooting

If you’ve tried to switch your shower diverter from the tub to the shower and the water continues through your tub’s faucet, then your shower diverter is likely part of the problem. The water may only partially come through the shower but continue to run through the tub, or your shower may not turn on at all.

If your shower diverter is not a simple pull up or pull down mechanism, your problem could require more difficult disassembly in order to properly troubleshoot and fix. Before disassembling, we strongly recommend placing a claim and allowing us to send you a qualified service technician to diagnose and fix the problem.

Follow these simple troubleshooting steps:

1. Cut off the water supply to your tub and shower and block the drain. This is just in case you drop any items, such as a screw.

2. Start by tightening the plates behind your shower diverter, then try turning the water on. If your plates were simply too loose to divert water, then your problem is solved. If not, turn your water back off to keep troubleshooting.

3. Replace the shower diverter gate. If it is a pull up shower diverter, this will mean prying out the diverter gate from inside the bathtub faucet using a screwdriver. You might notice debris and should clear this out to help clean your faucet. Be ready to reinstall a new gate, found at your local home goods store.

4. Turn on your water and attempt to divert the water. If you problem persists, you could have a more serious plumbing system problem.

If tightening the faucet’s plates and replacing the shower diverter gate does not work, you could have a deeper plumbing system issue, such as a clog or leaking pipe behind the wall of your shower.

Take this issue seriously, as leaking water causes lasting damage and may cause mold.

Home Warranties & Plumbing Fixtures

Select Home Warranty covers issues with your plumbing system according to your terms, including plumbing fixtures. It’s important to get ahead of these issues so that you’re ready for a breakdown, rather than waiting until after a breakdown has happened.

The average cost to replace a plumbing system can run as high as $3,500. Instead, a low monthly payment for a home warranty can save you and your family from a huge expense down the line.

 

Don’t let plumbing issues stress you out! Get your FREE QUOTE today with Select Home Warranty to protect both your home and your wallet. Call: 860-288-4791