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6maverick · May 21, 2008, 07:17 AM

I have an in line three control knobs (Hot/Cold and diverter) on a bathtub. When I turn on the diverter water still comes out the tub spout along with water out the shower head.
What is causing this and how do I correct it? I have pulled the diverter stem and replaced all the seals. However, I did not replace the seat.

massplumber2008 · May 21, 2008, 04:16 PM

Hey 6maverick:

Wondering if the shower head is the original shower head or a replacement shower head..

If replacement head then most likely the whole issue here is that the newer shower heads (last 5-10 years or so) have a volume restrictor that simply won't allow the great volume of water coming into shower valve to be diverted to shower head so water backs out the tub spout and no repairs will fix this (they don't make shower heads like the old ones anymore).

Anyway, if replacement head about the only thing you can try is to remove the shower head and look into it... if there is a flow restictor you can remove it by pulling it out (I use a screw and a pair of needlenose pliers to remove these).

Then reinstall the shower head and see if that improved things.

If old shower head then maybe need to replace the seat... let me know if old shower head.

Check the shower head restrictor out.. let me know... MARK

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6maverick · May 21, 2008, 06:44 PM

Thanks for the response.

Yes it is a new shower head. However, water still comes out the tub spout even with the shower head off.

massplumber2008 · May 21, 2008, 07:01 PM

Hey 6maverick:

Is there a name or a distinguishing mark on the trim plate or the handles of the valve? If necessary can you post a pic. Of your valve..

Also... wondering how old this valve is and wondering what kind of tub/surround... tile or fiberglass..

Let me know what you can... Mark

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6maverick · May 21, 2008, 09:16 PM

I could not find any markings on the stem valve and there were no knobs. The tub surround is fiberglass. I will try to get a picture of the stem valve.

massplumber2008 · May 22, 2008, 03:16 AM

Hey 6maverick:

By the way... has this valve always leaked like this.. Quite a few 3 handle valves ALWAYS leak past the diverter... even without the shower head on.

Let me know...

6maverick · May 22, 2008, 06:45 AM

Mark

Hard to say if it's always leaked as we bought it as a rental and I put new control knobs on it.

I'm hoping that I don't have to replace the whole thing. I'll trying first replacing the seat, if that doesn't work, well then I have to pull the surround and put in a new control.

johricha · Jun 7, 2008, 05:00 PM

You're not alone!

I have the same problem/set up as you do in a rental we just moved into. Don't see a set screw on the under-side of the faucet, nor any brand name on it - same as you. After replacing the shower head, more water was coming out of the faucet, so I removed the restrictor in it, as Mark suggested and it helped a lot, but didn't completely solve my problem.

John

massplumber2008 · Jun 7, 2008, 05:07 PM

And John... it may not get better.

This is really your landlord's problem anyway! So be careful when messing with his valves!

If changing shower head caused issue... how was it with the old shower head?

May need to replace back to the old head and check it out. If flow perfect with old head but not with new head... just the way it goes with some of the newer heads (I see you removed the restrictor).

If old head and new head cause issue.. again may just be as it is.

Otherwise, if flow is that poor with both shower heads then you need to talk to the landlord and ask him to have a plumber come in and replace the diverter washer, etc.

Let me know what you think... MARK

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johricha · Jun 7, 2008, 05:42 PM

The original shower head had a little less flow out the faucet, but not significantly different after I removed the restrictor in ours. And it was obvious that the previous tenants had replaced it with their own while living here.

Right about the Landlord's problem - gotcha there! This house was built in the early 60's, so there are some quirks that we're not going to touch. This'll probably be one of those, as long as it doesn't get worse!

massplumber2008 · Jun 7, 2008, 06:59 PM

Hey Johricha:

If getting enough pressure to get a decent shower, then sounds like you are OK for now.

If not... talk to landlord. Now is the best time to discuss concerns. Can't hurt as long as doesn't become a habit! Like you said "This house was built in the early 60's, so there are some quirks that we're not going to touch. This'll probably be one of those, as long as it doesn't get worse!"

And that is the truth!

But if out of ordinary... like you suspected here... pop back and ask away.. or talk to landlord or family members.

We are always glad to help if we can!

Mark