Vinegar is a mild acid which is fantastic cleaning agent on its own as well as when combined with baking soda. Plus the necessary tools to do the job - I'm without. This is easier than having separate handles for each outlet and great for those looking for convenience without too much complexity. By so doing you will have peace of mind for the next 10 years or more. You can purchase caulk online or from most home improvement stores. Remove the cloth from the drain, turn the water back on, and test your work.About Ask This Old House TV:Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Clean the Showerhead. To remove a stuck faucet handle, first close or cover the drain to avoid losing any screws or small parts. You'll be able to find the manufacturer and model of the set you currently have, as well as tips for replacing it. They make remodel plates that cover the old holes in the wall. Use a valve socket and pliers to loosen and remove the old stem from the wall. Removing your old valve and installing a new one can take time, but with patience, a novice handyman can do it without the help of a plumber. Additionally, Plumbing Sniper participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Sometimes the best wat to fix a sticky shower diverter is to soak the whole assembly in a bowl of vinegar. The third is optional (some kind of screw extractor) but can certainly make the final step easier. Cover the tub/shower drain with a cloth to prevent small parts from dropping into the drainpipe. The valve controls the flow of water into the spout, whereas the spout controls the flow of water out of the faucet. Spray lubricant such as WD-40 on obvious points of friction. Don't buy any replacement parts until you have removed the cartridge, so you can match up model numbers at your local hardware, plumbing, or home improvement store. Remove the Handle There should be a screw, or more than one, holding the handle in place. Are you a homeowner who has heard of a shower diverter but arent sure what it is or how it works? Dry the water first. YouTuber pro - Here is how to lubricate a stuck shower diverter: For folks who live in areas with hard water, I expect the cause of the stuck shower diverter to be calcium build up. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Attach a pressure gauge to a spigot to determine house the pressure. He specializes in estimating as well as design and engineering for plumbing systems, and he works for one of New York's largest union plumbing construction companies. Unthread the existing seat from inside the valve with a seat wrench. How To Fix a Leaky Single-handle Disk Faucet, How to Replace a Cartridge on a Moen Faucet, How to Repair a Leaky Single-Handle Cartridge Faucet, How to Fix a Leaky Faucet (Cartridge or Compression), How to Replace the Cartridge on a Mixet Shower Faucet, How to Fix a Moen Pressure-Balanced Shower Valve, How to Fix Inconsistent Water Temperature. Advertisement Blast hot water through the spout to remove all the loosely attached calcium deposits. If required, twist the screws with a wrench. Pull the tool while rotating back and forth (clockwise and counterclockwise) to extract the cartridge. If they are not, it simply means the cartridge needs to be rotated. For more convenience and flexibility, consider investing in a three-valve system or 180-degree turn valve theyre well worth the investment. Let the vinegar work overnight and, in the morning, you may be able to extract the cartridge even without a cartridge puller. If it feels less resistant than earlier, spray more penetrating oil and wait for another 15 minutes. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'plumbingnav_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',189,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-plumbingnav_com-leader-1-0');Of course, the most basic type of single-valve diverter for controlling water flow to fixtures is the good ol fashioned tub spout with the diverter. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for KOHLER Plastic Tub/Shower Replacement / Repair Valve 10350-NA at the best online prices at eBay! [11] 10. 13. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to pry the black rubber washer loose. 6-function shower head and hand shower with full body spray, massage spray, full spray with massage spray, focus spray, full spray with focus spray, and pause. Brush pipe-thread sealant onto the threaded end of the new stem seat.9. Help! 1. To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order. If the stem is stuck, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to grab the stem and twist back and forth to work it free. Before replacing the old cartridge with the new one, use your finger to lubricate it with a light coating of silicone plumber's grease to make it easier to remove when it needs to be replaced. In addition, once you have finished replacing the cartridge, check to see if the hot and cold water positions are correct. After you've slid the new valve into its slot in the wall, put the metal clip back in place with your pliers and turn on the water supply. There are 2 common types of bathtub spouts. The hole should be small enough that you can still cover it with the handle and trim plate later on. Remove the Faucet Handle: Unscrew the retaining ring at the top of the faucet handle and pull it out. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Multiple-head systems may require larger capacity than single-head designs do, and also need pressure balancing valves. These are: Once you have the new spout go ahead and install. Good video with an experienced plumber just so hard to listen & learn. Apply plumbers putty to the back of each escutcheon plate, then hand-tighten them onto the stems. 5. Use the seat wrench to tighten the new stem seat into the valve. 2. Put a deep well socket wrench over the metal stem of the faucet that is leaking. Step #2: A shower diverter should last you at least 5 years. Then you will need to use the pliers to remove the clip (or nut) that holds the cartridge in place. Once the stem is removed, inspect the outer wall of the bathtub. Wrap a rag that has been soaked in a 50% solution of distilled white vinegar around the area of the set screw. Be careful to not break the stem. 11. Youre in the right place! Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If any of the issues arise, many DIY homeowners feel comfortable tackling simple diverter replacements. Perhaps you can clamp on to something below? Repeat the previous eight steps to install new seats and stems onto the diverter and cold-water faucet handle.12. Draw the handle of the valve gathering and unscrew any sleeves or connectors from the get-together. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'plumbingnav_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',187,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-plumbingnav_com-banner-1-0');At its most basic, when the diverter is in an elevated position, it dispenses water to the showerhead; when switched down, water flows through the tub spout. 1 Cover the shower drain with a washcloth. One which is usually threaded to the water supply pipe and another which is usually connected to the pipe using an Allen screw. If the showerhead looks like it needs to be cleaned, submerge it overnight in white vinegar. Using your fingers, carefully pull the metal stem out of the wall. Replacement Shower Faucet Diverter Remove the index button, or faceplate, located on the middle of the faucet handle. Make sure there's no other damage around the shower faucet. We write about "all things plumbing," helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market. My shower is doing exactly what he first stated. ; Step 3: Look At The Shower Arm Junction. Using needlenose pliers, remove the valve clip and pull the valve out of the wall. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. It might be best to have a professional plumber take a look at 3 way diverters that are more complex. Replace the sleeve over the cartridge. Drill a tap (screw extractor) into the center of the cartridge. If there are no shutoff valves behind the wall, you will need to locate and turn off water to the entire home and then open a fixture to relieve the pressure and drain the water. Push-In Faucet Look for the screw under the faucet spout and unscrew it, enabling you to turn the faucet upside down. Each type of valve has its own unique characteristics. Turn off the water supply to the entire house if you cannot find the water stops for your shower. 6. People who live in areas with hard water, old houses with steel pipes and those who use water from a well are more susceptible to this problem. 9. Brush pipe-thread sealant onto the threaded end of the new stem seat. Fix something that looks hard to repair. If your current bathtub spout and shower diverter are in a quite bad shape and therefore not worth fixing, the best and long term approach is to replace them. There are more complex shower diverter systems that allow for water to be directed to more than one showerhead or hand held shower heads at the same time. 3. We will also discuss some common problems with shower diverters. Do this slowly. 10. If there are 2 stops for hot and cold water, shut off both. You will notice that this time round it is moving up and done freely. This is a far better solution that tying a plastic bag around it as the vinegar will reach and act on every part of the spout. Evidently its a bit more detailed than I'd hoped. Aaron Stickley is a licensed plumber with 15 years of experience in commercial, new residential plumbing, and residential service and repair. Some valve sets are secured with a retainer nut that holds them in place. Put on your protective eyewear (better safe than sorry). The good things is that all the materials needed for this job are readily available in most homes. To remove the trim plate, use a screwdriver to loosen the screws that are securing it to the valve assembly, then slide it off of the valve stem. Snap the index covers back onto the handles. First, you must remove whatever is blocking the valve, which could be the faucet or knob. This article was co-authored by Dave Jones. Take a flathead screwdriver and pry underneath the cover plate of the faucet. I go through repairing, cleaning, maintaining shower valves. In order for rust to take place, water and oxygen have to be present on an iron surface. Aaron's articles about plumbing on The Spruce span four years. Don't be afraid to hit it pretty hard. Wall Diverter Stems Thx for the vid tho for sure! Carefully hand-tighten the new valve stem into the valve body, then tighten it with the valve socket and pliers. Any penetrating oil will work just fine, including a non-stick cooking oil. Snap the index covers back onto the handles.15. The cartridge is there to control the water flow of the shower and tub, but it can become corroded over time making it difficult to use the handle. As you replace your shower valve, work carefully to make sure you don't forget any important details. Sometimes there are easy answers. Lime, which is basically calcium is the whitish substance that you might also notice at the bottom of the bathtub after draining it. Tighten The Faucet Handle While reasons vary for a shower continuing to run, you should start with the easiest solutions. If you can't find fixture shutoff valves, then you may need to shut off the water to the entire house. Then, shut the water off and cut a hole in the small opening behind the trim plate, so you can reach the valve. , in the morning, you must remove whatever is blocking the valve out of the new seat! Put on your protective eyewear ( better safe than sorry ) diverter but arent sure what it is how to repair a stuck shower valve! 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