How To Repair A Partially Blocked Shower Divertor

If yous accept a combination bathtub and shower , the piece that enables the bathtub spout and shower caput to coexist peacefully is the shower faucet diverter. Just equally its proper noun suggests, this mechanism is a small metal rod fitted inside your bathtub spout that can be manipulated to block the flow of water to the master faucet (the bathtub), and divert the h2o so information technology comes out of the showerhead instead.

While there are a few unlike reasons ane of these diverters can go stuck or fail, testing to see if you have a stuck shower faucet diverter couldn't be simpler. In fact, you'll probably discover this without even intending to, every bit when yous turn on your water and effort to start the shower, fiddling to no water will really get out the showerhead with a majority of the menstruation remaining tied to the bath spout.

Fortunately, the solution to this upshot is unproblematic. Even if you air current upwards needing a replacement diverter, an affordable trip to the hardware store and a one-half-hour of work is the virtually y'all'll have to invest in this chore. That, and potentially delaying your daily shower, of course.

Blockages

One of the two primary causes of stuck shower diverters is blockage.

The diverter is not a complicated piece of technology. It physically moves from one position to another to create a physical barrier for water. So, if buildup and blockages have formed that restrict or block the movement of the diverter, it's crippled.

The quickest gear up for a blocked faucet diverter is to simply give the handle a gentle, well-placed tap. Your diverter'southward handle may be a lever you can flip similar a light switch or a vertically oriented stalk you lot can pull upwards or push in. Either manner, the handle is directly connected to the inner diverter. Jostling or tapping the handle in just the correct way may be all that's necessary to milkshake a blockage loose.

Brand sure you're being gentle. You don't want to impairment anything worse than it may already exist damaged. If this doesn't work, it doesn't mean you're not tapping or jostling hard enough. Information technology means the problem is something deeper than a simple blockage, and you'll need to try a different approach.

Corrosion

There are ii areas in your bathtub spout that can corrode and impact the diverter's office. The threads on the spiral that connects the pipe to the spout can corrode or fissure, and the spout'due south finish tin corrode, flake off, and cause blockages. In severe cases, if such damage is left untreated and you continually try to utilise your shower or tub, water tin trickle along the pipe and saturate the inside of the wall.

Depending on what kind of faucet you have, in that location are ii distinct means to see if whatsoever swell or flaking is causing blockages.

Pull Upwardly Faucet

Gently work the handle with the pliers, pulling it out a little at a time. One time you lot have retrieved it, clean it thoroughly and then place it back advisedly.

Button-In Faucet

Expect for the spiral nether the faucet spout and unscrew it, enabling you lot to turn the faucet upside downwards. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to pry the black condom washer loose. Check for any debris and remove it every bit necessary.

Replacement Shower Faucet Diverter

If the shower faucet diverter is stuck because the washers are old and accept cleaved or the plastic valve diverter inside the pipage has broken, then it is time to replace the faucet itself. The diverter is not an overly expensive mechanism to buy and replacing information technology may be easier than attempting to fix it.