Don't replace but repair shower diverter valve for pennies!

So when I noticed ½ of my water was going down the drain while taking a shower I decided to repair the diverter valve myself. After watching several KZbin videos I was angered to see that most likely I was going to have to pay $15 to $20 to replace the entire valve when all it really needed was a 15 cent nylon washer. (However in my defense I didn’t even know there was a nylon washer to begin with, it must have gotten chewed up and spit out, haha.) It wasn’t until I inspected my new valve that I discovered this nylon washer and then decided to make a video that could potentially save homeowners a bundle so please forgive me for the lame post-production. 1. You may not even have to turn the water off in the house as long as you keep the hot and cold valves shut. 2. If you can’t get a wrench on the valve you may need to purchase a socket that will slide over the valve in order to remove. 3. You want to secure the valve in your hand and continue removing the stem in a clockwise motion. 4. Once it will turn freely you need to pull the stem from the valve body. You may need to loosen the packing nut at the top and apply some force. (as you could see in my video) 5. At this point you simply slide the nylon washer over the stem and put back together making sure your new washer is between the valve and the stem. 6. At this time you should probably change the black washer at the end of the stem and replace the seat inside the unit.

[@SueEllenLLawton]

I LOVE that you addressed it as a repair rather than total replacement. Just what I was hoping to find, but like you, found many "replacement" videos when it can be a simple fix. THANK YOU!

[@michaelcolgan3182]

I go to an actual plumbing supply. The owner Bob looks at the valve goes to his work bench rebuilds the entire valve in five minutes. The fee is pay for the parts and throw a few bucks in the beer kitty. I hate the big box stores they overcharge you and they often sell you the wrong parts. This was an outstanding video by the way because you showed people how it actually works .

[@_UglyBarnacle]

you are the first video ive seen explain how it works. and explain my "50/50" issue in detail. you may have saved my mental. ill try this tomorrow and if i fix it ill let you know. thank you. - it worked. this was my answer. thank you.

[@jacquiestorm4342]

Thanks for this! Worked like a charm with a rubber washer that I trimmed to fit.

[@briankpaine]

I kept finding replacement videos too. Thanks for covering this topic!

[@wavystocks2563]

Appreciate you bro finally found a good video 💪🏽 got my shower fixed in 10 mins thanks to u

[@AlexanderRodriguez-ni4kt]

It’s crazy how that little plastic thing for the diverter makes a big difference.

[@paulhindle5617]

Check your 'O' rings/washers (little rubber rings normally black top and bottom of the valve), there shouldn't be any leaking from taps while shower operates. Speaking from UK but the diverter valve appears the same style. If it works and you're happy ignore this. Best wishes from a fellow Floyd fan, across the pond.

[@sufferedenuf]

Great repair but... Mine like some leak due to the packing around the stem going bad. The water sprays around the stem and straight out of the valve.

[@66crush9]

Great information and Dark Side of the Moon still rocks my world! \m/ Does the nylon washer come in some sort of variety pack repair kit for those that know what brand but not the particular valve they are dealing with?

[@rickquest6385]

best to take it with you to a hardware store. You should be able to shut the valves off so water doesn't come out of the diverter.

[@edubb2491]

Thank you for this...super annoying ..i def got a good flow of water coming out of faucet as iam showering..prob why my hot water is not lasting long as well!

[@rickquest6385]

As Dr Spock would say, I don't have enough information...

[@terrygrant3206]

i have a diverter that leaks a lot from the spout when only the shower is on. Thought Rick had answered my problem. But it did not fix mine. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[@rickquest6385]

Just going to shoot from my hip here, It depends on what you mean by "leaks" there is always supposed to be a little that comes out of the spout but if it seems like too much maybe the diverter has a notch or scratches where water can get by? Maybe you just need to bite the bullet and buy a whole new diverter? Sorry it didn't work for you.

[@edubb2491]

@@rickquest6385 expensive replacement?

[@luaaotaliauli2082]

I replaced my diverter valve and now it doesn’t send water to my shower head. Can it that when I took out my old valve the washer was broken, could the broken piece got stuck where the water goes to my shower head. Cause now it just drips water from my shower head. Thank you 🙏🏽

[@rickquest6385]

Yes, pieces could have gotten into the shower pipe. You could also check the Shower head it's self and also make sure you got a diverter valve not just an on-off valve. To remove you'll probably have to remove both the valve and the head and either get something that can blow it out or a small snake and push it out.

[@SL-fu7sh]

You meant well but showed me nothing!