People should understand that the shower diverter is basically a device which ensures the water flows freely between the showerhead and the bathroom faucet. These valves are fairly common in plumbing in older homes, which were constructed before built-in valves became the standard.
As a homeowner, you should be aware of what a shower diverter valve is and how you can diagnose problems that arise relevant to its usage and function.
Types of A Shower Diverter Valve
A three-valve shower diverter
The 3-way shower diverter valve is found in tubs that have individual hot and cold-water handles, and the diverter valve is positioned in between them both. Turning the diverter valve 180 degrees clockwise channels hot and cold water towards the showerhead, whereas turning it the other way sends the water to the bathtub.
A two-valve shower diverter
A two-valve shower diverter is often found in tubs having a single faucet handle or in between two hands. It can work like a three-valve diverter i.e., people can simply turn it to direct water to either the tub or the shower.
A single-valve shower diverter
The diverter valve is also known as a tee diverter. It is found at the end of the tub’s spout. It is easy to use as all that is needed is simply pulling the diverter, which then sends the water to the showerhead.
Pushing the diverter back to the downward position helps restore water flow back to the tub. This valve allows bathrooms to have both a shower and a bathtub in the same place simultaneously.
The purpose of a shower valve diverter
Regardless of the shower valve diverter people have, all of them work to achieve the same purpose i.e. providing water to both the tub and the shower. The diverter looks like a pin pulled upward from the bathtub faucet’s spout. It is possible that it might come in the form of another handle or button that can either be pushed or pulled by hand.
In either way, when the valve is activated, it engages a rubber stopper causing water flowing in a different direction. This pressure forces the water upwards to the shower head, thus helping people take a shower. Once the stopper is removed, water will flow the other way, filling the bathtub.
When Does A diverter valve Need repair or replacement?
Here are some signs residents should be watchful of when it comes to issues in a shower diverter valve:
- Faucet dripping: A lot of issues can lead to faucets dripping continuously and that can annoy a lot of people (apart from the high-water utility bills). Persistent dripping is often a sign that indicates something is wrong in the faucet itself. However, it can also be a fault in the diverter valve.
- Handles that leak: This is a definite sign that something is wrong with the diverter valve, as they are often found behind the handles. Unfortunately, leaky handles are quite common as in time, the seal present between the handle’s exterior and the valve inside the water supply is prone to getting worn out.
- Issues present in the shower head: Residents should be able to spot issues with the shower head almost immediately. The shower valve works to dispense water from either the lower faucet of the tub or from the shower head. There are instances where the water can continue flowing from the bathtub’s faucet while the shower diverter valve is engaged, indicating a repair is needed.
- Grime and rust: Spotting grime and rust on the shower diverter valve is never easy due to its location. Only a plumber can tell by judging the water flow.
The moment people notice something’s not right with either their faucet or their valve, a wise decision would be to call the plumber as early as they can. Putting this task off for another time can lead to a rise in the water bill consequently.
Are shower valve diverter repairs covered by Home Warranties?
A lot of homeowners are under the impression that their homes are covered by the homeowner’s insurance they have. However, mostly homeowners are responsible for all emergency repairs coming from the sewerage, water, heating, electrical, plumbing or cooling systems (either or both).
A majority of basic homeowner insurance policies, local utility service providers and municipalities don’t cover repairs or replacement of major systems in and around most homes.
