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wally434 · Feb 28, 2009, 02:19 PM

Please excuse me if I don't have the terminology right.

I have a Grohe shower set. The diverter is located on the end of the tub spout.

The shower diverter doesn't seem to be working right. I have three problems:

The diverter doesn't return to the tub spout when the water is turned off.
There is water leaking down the wall behind the shower.
The shower diverter sends some water to the showerhead, even when it should be directed to the tub spout.

I am not sure that these problems are related. I don't want to open the wall up. (The shower wall is a solid piece of acrylic with a built in closet on the other side.)

Any suggestions?

Milo Dolezal · Feb 28, 2009, 02:46 PM

The diverter is not functioning. You will have hard time getting parts for it. The best way is to go and buy new spout with diverter. It doesn't have to be Grohe spout, You can get any spout with diverter. However, if you want it to match the other trim, you will have to go to Grohe.

Water leak inside the wall is unrelated. There may be several things that may have gone bad. I would suggest that you first: Uninstall shower are, apply new teflon tape on threads and reinstall. Also, spout may be leaking. See if there is a gap between spout and wall and whether you can see water running in that gap when spout is active. If all appears to be OK, than remove faucet trim, take flash light and look inside the wall. Turn water ON. See if you can see dripping water. If negative, then go the closet and cut port hole in the wall so you get better view.

Let us know what you've found out...

wally434 · Feb 28, 2009, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

The diverter is not functioning. You will have hard time getting parts for it. the best way is to go and buy new spout with diverter. It doesn't have to be Grohe spout, You can get any spout with diverter. However, if you want it to match the other trim, you will have to go to Grohe.

Thanks. Matching the trim is not an issue. I will purchase a new spout and diverter. Is this easy to install without opening the wall?

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Water leak inside the wall is unrelated. There may be several things that may have gone bad. I would suggest that you first: Uninstall shower are, apply new teflon tape on threads and reinstall. Also, spout may be leaking. See if there is a gap between spout and wall and whether you can see water running in that gap when spout is active. If all appears to be OK, than remove faucet trim, take flash light and look inside the wall. Turn water ON. See if you can see dripping water. If negative, then go the the closet and cut port hole in the wall so you get better view.

Let us know what you've found out...

I am sorry. I don't understand your instructions. What do you mean by "uninstall shower are"?

There is no gap between spout and wall - I have put silicone grout around the spout. The leak is behind the wall -the drywall outside the shower is wet.

(Sorry - you are dealing with a newbie who can't afford a plumber right now.) :(

Milo Dolezal · Feb 28, 2009, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by wally434

Thanks. Matching the trim is not an issue. I will purchase a new spout and diverter. Is this easy to install without opening the wall?

I am sorry. I don't understand your instructions. What do you mean by "uninstall shower are"?

There is no gap between spout and wall - I have put silicone grout around the spout. The leak is behind the wall -the drywall outside the shower is wet.

(Sorry - you are dealing with a newbie who can't afford a plumber right now.) :(

Sorry, should read: "....uninstall shower ARM..." - that's the pipe that holds shower head

Milo Dolezal · Feb 28, 2009, 03:11 PM

Where exactly is that drywall wet ? On which side of the tub ? How high ?

wally434 · Feb 28, 2009, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Where exactly is that drywall wet ? On which side of the tub ? How high ?

This shower doesn't have a tub -just a floor pan. The drywall is wet just outside the shower area where the floor pan meets the drywall. I think there is a small lip on the floor pan - behind the drywall that is channeling the water to the outside drywall. I hope I am being clear...

wally434 · Feb 28, 2009, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Sorry, should read: "....uninstall shower ARM..." - that's the pipe that holds shower head

This sounds like it may be the answer. Unfortunately, it is not a fixed shower arm. It is a flex unit that comes out of the wall about 4 feet up, and the shower head sits in a bracket above the faucet. Is the solution the same?

mygirlsdad77 · Feb 28, 2009, 04:01 PM

Milo nailed the tub spout replacement. The water near the pan(on sheetrock) is most likely due channeling of water which you already suggested. Does the spot seem to get wet only when you shower, or is it wet all the time.

wally434 · Feb 28, 2009, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by mygirlsdad77

Milo nailed the tub spout replacement. The water near the pan(on sheetrock) is most likely due channeling of water which you already suggested. Does the spot seem to get wet only when you shower, or is it wet all the time.

It is only when we shower. We didn't use this shower for a week (we have another one). The drywall was completely dry during this time.

wally434 · Feb 28, 2009, 04:10 PM

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions. Unfortunately, I am not a plumbing expert and I can't afford to hire someone. Can someone provide instructions? (i.e. how to install a new tub spout with diverter/ how to access the shower spout.)

mygirlsdad77 · Feb 28, 2009, 04:23 PM

Look on the bottom side of spout, near wall, and tell me if there is an allen screw up in there. May need a mirror and flashlight to see it. If there is an allen screw, loosen it, and spout will just pull straigh out. If no screw, then you will have to turn spout in a counterclockwise direction to unthread spout. Please let me know what you see.

wally434 · Feb 28, 2009, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by mygirlsdad77

look on the bottom side of spout, near wall, and tell me if there is an allen screw up in there. May need a mirror and flashlight to see it. If there is an allen screw, loosen it, and spout will just pull straigh out. If no screw, then you will have to turn spout in a counterclockwise direction to unthread spout. Please let me know what you see.

There is no allen screw. Where the diverter comes out of the tub spout, there seems to be a place to put a wrench.

Milo Dolezal · Feb 28, 2009, 04:31 PM

Water leaks out through shower door or curtain. Have somebody to step inside the shower and to pour water towards that corner. Observe the leak. I bet you you will see small stream of water seeping out of the shower area...

afaroo · Feb 28, 2009, 04:35 PM

Look at the Image below and tell Mygirladad which type diverter you god, Thanks.

John

mygirlsdad77 · Feb 28, 2009, 04:41 PM

Thanks for the pics afaroo. Hope we can help get them fixed up.

afaroo · Feb 28, 2009, 04:43 PM

You are welcome lee, I am sure you will help him if he tell us which one he got, Thanks.

John

wally434 · Feb 28, 2009, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Water leaks out through shower door or curtain. Have somebody to step inside the shower and to pour water towards that corner. Observe the leak. I bet you you will see small stream of water seeping out of the shower area ...

Sorry. I have tried everything, including silicone caulking where the shower door enclosure meets the wall. The water is coming from behind the wall.

Milo Dolezal · Feb 28, 2009, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by wally434

Sorry. I have tried everything, including silicone caulking where the shower door enclosure meets the wall. The water is coming from behind the wall.

Sure, just want to make sure we don't miss the obvious... :D

wally434 · Feb 28, 2009, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by afaroo

You are welcome lee, I am sure you will help him if he tell us which one he got, Thanks.

John

I will take it apart tomorrow and let you know. It is too late tonight to start this...

wally434 · Mar 1, 2009, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by mygirlsdad77

thanks for the pics afaroo. Hope we can help get them fixed up.

Based on the pictures, it looks like I have a diverter with a nose connection (middle picture on the left).

There appears to be a place for a wrench where the diverter "button" enters the nose of the spout. Is my first step to loosen this?