Most people have never heard of shower diverters, even though any bathroom with a tub-and-shower combination has one. These valves are what allows someone to divert water from flowing through the tub faucet to the showerhead. Shower diverter valves play a significant role in today’s bathroom constructions and, simply put, are what allows us to have a bathtub and a shower in the same spot.
How a shower diverter works
The plumbing that connects to the bathtub faucet also runs upright to the showerhead. When someone wants to take a bath, the diverter valve flows water into the tub. When someone opts for a shower, a lever or knob is used to close off the flow of water to the faucet, and the pressure created from the barricade sends flowing water upward.
The different types of valves
There are three types of shower diverter valves: tee, two- and three-valve diverters. Each is named appropriately with how their diverting system works. For example, the tee diverter is a single valve in the tub faucet. To operate, pull on the one lever usually shaped like a tee, and water goes from tub to shower instantly. The two-valve system has two different outlets located near the faucet or where the temperature controls are found. A three-valve shower diverter, probably not hard to guess, has three ports to control water flow. The three-valve system handles hot and cold water to the showerhead.
When faced with a clogged or worn shower valve
Not all signs that a shower diverter needs to be fixed or replaced are familiar to the, ahem, naked eye. A dripping faucet, shower head problems, and faucet rust may not seem like huge issues but can often trace back to a worn shower valve. If water still runs from the tub faucet when the shower is on, it may be time to repair or replace that old valve. We have seen countless times where people ignore a leaky handle, not realizing that it cost them more in wasted water over the years than to fix when initially identified.
We always suggest getting a dripping faucet or leak looked at because it could be the sign of something more severe than a diverter valve. Fortunately, most experienced plumbers should be able to find the culprit fast and help you decide if a repair or replacement is required. Therefore, shower diverters allow water to flow appropriately from the tub to the showerhead without the bather having to worry about wasted water or other plumbing issues beyond the tub.
If you need an honest, dependable plumber in the Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe or Chandler area, call Jimmy at 480-757-1273.
