Taking Apart a Shower Diverter

A diverter valve features one rubber washer and one plastic washer that are designed to prevent the valve from leaking. It is for this reason that a leak from the showerhead while the bathtub spout is in use, or a leak from the spout while the shower is used, is attributed to a defective diverter. Although you can replace a diverter valve, it is often less expensive to repair it. You must disassemble the valve before you can perform the repair.

Standard screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
Wrench
Socket wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the diverter’s handle. The handle is secured to the diverter with a single screw located in the middle of the handle. If the screw is not visible, it is concealed behind a plastic cap. Lift the cap away from the handle with a standard screwdriver to reveal the screw. Remove the screw with a Phillips screwdriver and pull the handle off the diverter.
- 2
  Remove the screws that secure the escutcheon plate to the shower wall with a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the plate away from the wall to reveal a large bonnet nut.
- 3
  Turn the bonnet nut in a counterclockwise direction with a wrench until it detaches from the diverter.
- 4
  Remove the diverter valve. The valve features a retaining nut at its base designed to accommodate a socket. Turn the valve in a counterclockwise direction with a socket wrench until the diverter detaches from the water pipe, then slide the diverter out of the wall.
- 5
  Remove the brass screw on the bottom of the diverter with the Phillips screwdriver. The screw secures a rubber washer to the diverter. Slide the washer off the screw after removing the screw.
- 6
  Unscrew the threaded spindle from the retaining nut and slide the spindle out of the nut. The spindle is the shaft that runs through the center of the retaining nut.
- 7
  Slide the plastic washer off the threaded spindle.

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