Water Coming Out Of The Shower Head While Filling Bathtub
Has it ever happened to you that while you were filling your bathtub, the water was leaking out of your shower head? If your tub and shower are connected and the plumbing works orderly, only one section should function and run at a time, either shower or a tub. If the problem is not solved, as time passes, this could result in paying more for your water bill and losing water pressure from your shower head.
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Why Water Coming Out Of Shower Head While Filing Bathtub?
The most common reason why your shower head leaks while you fill the bathtub is likely because of the issue with the diverter valve which main purpose is to divert water from the bathtub faucet to the showerhead and vice versa.
On your tub´s spout, there is a handle whose purpose is that water starts coming out of your shower head after you pull it, and that handle is used to change the water source. So, if water leaks without you previously touching the handle, it means that you have a problem with your shower diverter valve.
The principle on which the valve works is by diverting or redirecting water which then flows to the shower head instead of down to the tub faucet.
To block the water from coming out of the tube, we need to pull the knob on the tub´s faucet, which then turns the diverter inside the pipe and prevents it from leaking out of the tub. After long use, the diverter may wear out, resulting in water leaking down out of both segments simultaneously.
One helpful piece of advice can help you preserve your diverter and ensure it continues to function normally; you should return water flow back to the bathtub spout once you have finished taking a shower before you turn off the faucet.
To fix this problem, you will have to disassemble the valve and cleanse and remove any build-up that could have an effect on the diverter from working smoothly.
For those who want to know more, feel free to read How a Bathtub Works? | Plumbing & Drain System.
Repair Equipment Needed
You should have:
Fixing The Shower Diverter Valve
This is a very easy problem that you can be fixed very quickly. But if you’re not sure that you can do it, we recommend contacting a professional plumber to do this for you.
First, you need to remove the cap off the tub´s faucet. After removing the handle, you should be able to see the diverter valve. Locate the nut on the shaft and untwist it as well as the washer and screw. After doing this, make sure to inspect them, and in case if they are worn out, substitute them.
Soak the small wire brush in vinegar and remove any debris or sediment from the valve. To check if water has stopped coming out of the showerhead at the moment when you are filling the bathtub, you need to assemble the dry valve and run the faucet first.
If it happens to be too much gunk after you have examined and you need to remove it completely or you figured it that it has become damaged, then there is the possibility that you will need a new valve.
You can also watch this great Youtube video on how to Replace Bathtub/Shower faucet diverter.
If you want to know how much it takes for a bathtub to fill, read How Long Does it Take to Fill an Average Bathtub?
Conclusion
To sum this up, you don´t need to be an expert to examine and fix a problem like this in your bathtub. In this article, we explained what causes this problem and how to fix it. But in case of any bigger problem and issue, you should contact an expert plumber that will then come and fix it for you. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us or leave a comment.
