How to Make a Shower Diverter Seal Better

• 1

  Cover the drain with a rag or other cloth. This prevents screws, nuts and other small parts from falling into the drain.

• 2

  Remove the screw from the center of the escutcheon, or handle that covers the diverter valve, with a screwdriver. An independent diverter valve is the middle of three handles in a three-handle set up that sits between the hot- and cold-water handles.

• 3

  Remove the escutcheon from the bonnet, or metal pipe covering the diverter valve stem.

• 4

  Remove the nut from the bonnet with an Allen wrench. The nut usually sits underneath the unit.

• 5

  Pull the bonnet from the wall using your pliers. Remove the valve stem, which sits within the bonnet, from the wall with pliers by unscrewing it.

• 6

  Clean the diverter valve stem with a wire brush and vinegar. Remove all mineral and lime deposits.

• 7

  Remove the old washer from the valve assembly’s center. The washer is a black rubber ring in the valve stem’s middle. Work it loose with a screwdriver and pull it over the stem’s end.

• 8

  Put a new washer in place. Silicone grease helps it settle in place.

• 9

  Remove the bib screw from the diverter stem’s end with a screwdriver. Replace it with a new bib screw.

• 10

  Replace the diverter stem, bonnet, bonnet nut and escutcheon by reversing the procedures used to remove them. Place a sealant such as plumber's putty around the escutcheon’s base.

Replacing a Spout

• 11

  Remove the screw at the bottom of the spout with an Allen wrench. This screw connects the spout to the plumbing supply pipe.

• 12

  Unscrew the spout if no screw exists underneath the spout. In such cases, the spout is threaded directly onto the supply pipe. Use a wrench or pliers to grip the spout.

• 13

  Remove the existing spout.

• 14

  Unscrew the existing pipe nipple using a wrench if required. Spouts that thread directly onto the pipe require no nipple.

• 15

  Apply joint compound to the supply pipe’s threaded portion. If necessary, install a new nipple at the supply pipe’s end.

• 16

  Place the new spout over the supply pipe. Screw the spout on if necessary.

• 17

  Install the screw on the underside of the new diverter spout if required. Use an Allen wrench.

• 18

  Apply a sealant such as plumber's putty around the new spout’s base, where it meets the3 wall.