What Is A Shower Diverter?

We all want to take a healthy, relaxing shower every day.

But many of us just don’t stop thinking about the way water hits the faucet and actually allows us to take that refreshing bath.

Learning what is actually a shower diverter can actually make a huge difference, and it has the potential to teach us about a lot of amazing things.

It actually is one of the plumbing parts that can help water make it to the head, and it has a very important role.

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The basics

In case you have a shower and bathtub, then you will notice your unit has a faucet handle.

This allows you to change the water flow from your shower to the tub.

This handle is controlling the water diverter.

This is actually a valve while is placed behind the wall.

Its main purpose is to direct the water and ensure that it reaches the desired destination.

What are the available types?

You can find 3 types, as you can find below.

  • Single valve diverters have a handle that’s pulling from the tub faucet.
  • Once you push it down, you open up the water flow to your tub.
  • Two-valve diverters have a single handle faucet and they allow you to control the temperature, while also shifting the water flow.
  • Lastly, you have the three-valve diverters where you have knobs for cold and hot water.
  • Once you found the desired water combination, the third handle will send water to the showerhead.
  • After you finish showering, you turn that handle counter-clockwise and that will send water to the tub.

How can you identify the potential issues?

Once you know the basics, it’s important to ensure that you can figure out when there are any problems.

Dripping is a clear example that something might be wrong, it can be a diverter issue, or it can be due to the faucet and its own issues.

On top of that, the head can also have issues.

If you see water coming out of the faucet even if the diverter is engaged, that’s a telltale sign you are dealing with issues.

A similar problem appears when the handles are leaking, it’s a clear sign that your diverter is not working properly.

In addition, any sign of grime and rust near the diverter might show that your diverter is damaged, old or malfunctioning.

You want to address the issue as much as possible, and the results themselves can be a very good thing to keep in mind.

What can you do if you encounter any problems?

The best approach is to call a plumber.

He will check and see if you must change the diverter or repair it.

They might seem rather insignificant at first, however, you can end up with problems if you don’t pay attention!

Last Updated on May 17, 2021 by Kaalimbar Vazentini

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Hi, this is Kaalimbar, and I'm a professional plumber by trade and a part-time blogger by night. I've been working in this field for the last 10 years. And this blog is where I share my experience and knowledge with you. See you around.