The Different Types of Valve Housing for Shower Faucets

Three-Valve Diverter

• A three-valve diverter is comprised of a triple valve system where water is first adjusted using the bathtub faucet. It is then diverted up to the shower head by turning a center dial either clockwise or counterclockwise. This housing can be placed inside or outside of the wall.

Two-Valve Diverter

• The two valve diverter uses a single knob for temperature control, typically located in the middle of the faucet. The water is adjusted from hot to cold by turning the knob either clockwise or counterclockwise. The water is sent to the shower head when a diverter knob is pulled and the separate hot and cold water is forced up the L shaped housing.

Tee Diverter

• The tee diverter is the most basic design. It combines the hot and cold water through the bath faucet, usually through a separate hot and cold knob. Once the temperature is adjusted, a knob is pulled and the full force of the water is sent into the shower head. To adjust the water pressure, both temperature knobs must be adjusted separately.

Diverter Care

• Similar to any other faucet in the house, diverter housings eventually encounter problems. Keep the diverter faucets clean from hard water buildup by soaking the components in vinegar every six months. If you do see a leak, confirm your diverter type before attempting to disassemble the diverter, as each diverter type requires specialized tools to remove the components.