The Removal of a Symmons Diverter

Cover the drain with a towel to prevent parts from falling in.

Turn off the water to the shower faucet. If there are no valves servicing the shower, find and turn off the main shutoff valve. Open a faucet, preferably on a lower level of the house, to drain water from the water pipes.

Remove all trim. Take the plug button off the shower handle, prying with a flat-head screwdriver if necessary. Remove the handle screw with a screwdriver and pull off the handle. Unscrew the two trim plate, or escutcheon, screws and pull the trim plate off the shower wall. Unscrew the dome cover by hand in a counterclockwise direction until it comes off.

Use a 5/16-inch Allen wrench to unthread the diverter retainer nut, located at the bottom of the valve. Use the tip of the diverter handle or a small screwdriver to remove the diverter guide washer, which has a Christmas-tree shape. Thread a 5/16-inch lag screw into the center of the diverter valve. This screw fits the threads and helps pull out the diverter. Pull out the diverter.

Insert a new guide washer into a new diverter. Use the diverter handle to push the diverter into the valve, keeping the handle pointed straight down. When the diverter is in place, install the retainer nut. Screw on the dome cover by hand. Slide the trim plate over the dome cover and turn screws until tight. Install the handle, tighten the screw and replace the plug button. Turn on the water and test.