Tub Spout Replacement in Lake Forest Park, WA: Shower Diverter Fixed

The Call: A Shower That Only Got Half the Water

The homeowner put it simply. When they pulled the diverter up to switch to the shower, about half the water still came out of the tub spout. Weak shower, wasted hot water, and a tub filling up while you're trying to rinse off.

What We Found: A Worn-Out Seal and Diverter

Our plumber checked it and it was exactly what the homeowner described. The diverter inside the spout wasn't closing off, and the seal had worn to the point where water was getting past it.

Why diverters stop working

A tub spout diverter is a small gate inside the spout. Lift the knob and it blocks the spout so the water gets pushed up to the showerhead. It's opened and closed every day, and the rubber seal that does the blocking wears down. Hard water and mineral buildup speed that up. Once the seal is gone, water takes the easy way out: straight down through the spout.

On most spouts the diverter is built into the spout itself, so there's nothing to rebuild. The fix is a new spout.

The Fix: A New Tub Spout

1. Took off the old spout without disturbing the valve or the trim above it.
2. Checked the pipe stub coming out of the wall so the new spout would seat properly.
3. Installed a new spout with a built-in diverter, matched to the existing finish.
4. Sealed it to the wall so shower water can't run back behind the tub surround.
5. Tested both ways. Tub mode, then shower mode, checking the full flow went to the showerhead with the diverter up.

Small part, big difference. It's one of the most common fixes our shower repair team handles.

The Result: Full Pressure at the Showerhead

• Full volume in the shower. With the diverter up, all the water goes where it should.
• No more wasted hot water pouring into the tub during every shower.
• Matching finish. The new spout fits in with the existing trim.

It's working the way it's supposed to, and the homeowner was happy with it. See what other homeowners around Lake Forest Park and north King County say on our reviews page.

Is Your Tub Spout Stealing Your Shower?

• Water still coming out of the spout with the diverter pulled up
• A diverter knob that drops back down on its own
• Weak flow at the showerhead even though the tub fills fast
• Water running behind the spout or a gap where it meets the wall

Any of those are a quick fix for our plumbers. If it's the faucet or handle giving you trouble instead, see our faucet repair service.