Repair diverter valve.?

Question

I'm trying to repair a diverter valve in my shower. Is there a way to do this without having to remove the shower wall? And if I do have to remove the shower wall, what's the easiest way to do this?

Answer 1

Apparently you have a 2 handle shower. You will need to remove the stem assembly from the body inside the wall to make repairs. This is done with a set of tools plumbers call cow bells - a set of deep sockets of different sizes that are used to unscrew the assemblies. They can be found at home center stores. If you have some very large deep well sockets you might have the size you need, otherwise there is no choice. Sometimes it takes a tremendous amount of force to remove it.

After removal, replace the washer and lube the stem threads if you can. Stick your finger where the assembly came out and feel for any roughness on the seat - what the washer seats against. If it has any imperfections you need to remove it with a seat removal tool (sometimes a screwdriver will remove it if it has a square opening or an allen wrench will remove it if it is hex). Again it could take a lot of force. Once removed you can use a medium file larger than the width of the seat to file out any nicks or grooves smoothing any interior rough edges also.

Installation is the reverse of above. Total cost of tools and washers shouldn't exceed $30 at Home Depot.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

You should be able to remove the core from the diverter valve and replace any worn parts, or the whole assembly if required. It's genrally pretty easy. Each anufacturer seems to have their own scheme, but if you turn iff the water, remove the knob or control handle, it should be obvious what to do from there.

There is usually either a screwed on cap or the cover is retained by a split ring. Once you open it up, you simply pull the core out and head for the haerdware store for a replacement.

There should be no need to tear into the wall.

Answer 3

Replacing a diverter valve does not require removing any wall.

You did not state whether you have a single handle such as a Delta or one that has 3 handles (hot, cold, & diverter). So here is procedure for both. It is not necessary to turn off water supply for either procedure.

Single handle 1. remove handle 2. remove chrome ring under handle. 3. remove chrome face plate 4. remove diverter 5. take old one to plumbing supply/hardware/home supply store to purchase exact replacement 6. reinstall

Three handle: 1. remove diverter handle 2. remove chrome covering under handle covering the stem (its called an eschushion) It unscrews to the left. 3. Unscrew to the left, the diverter stem. 4. Purchase an exact duplicate. 5. reinstall

Answer 4

you should be able to access it through the round water control
look underneath the handle that turns on the water, look for allen screw that can be loosened to take knob off
then the center sleeve should pull out or unscrew, then big round disc should come off, but maybe you will have to cut silicone bead between it and tile, or plastic wall of shower.
then you see the pipes, you might have to drain water from pipes and unsolder connections or maybe there is something to unscrew to take out diverter valve.

Answer 5

the handle should be held on with a screw. It may be hidden underneath a cover about the size of a dime in the center of the handle. Pry the cover off with a thin, flat screwdriver. Then pull the handle off. If it's the shower head leaking why take the handle off? Take the shower head off and replace it.