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Three Handle Shower Diverter Repair

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by Faucet Answers, an independent publication of TH4 Digital LLC

A three handle tub and shower has hot and cold handles and a third handle in the middle that sends water to the shower. The middle handle turns a diverter stem or cartridge in the wall. When it wears, water comes out of both the spout and the shower, or the shower will not come on at all. The repair is the same as replacing a two handle stem: remove the middle handle, unscrew the stem, put in a new one.

Before you start. Shut off the water at the house main (most showers have no separate shutoff), then open the valve to confirm the water has stopped. You will need a towel to protect the finish, slip-joint pliers or an adjustable wrench, and a roll of plumber’s tape (thin white thread tape, about $2). If anything is corroded and will not loosen with moderate force, stop and see when to call a plumber. New to this? Start here explains the parts and tools in plain language.

Looking for the valve behind the wall instead (the handle that controls temperature)? That repair depends on the brand. See how to find your brand and the brand page for your shower.

Steps

  1. Shut off the house main. Three handle showers usually have no stops in the wall.
  2. Pry the cap off the middle handle, remove the handle screw, and pull the handle off. Remove the sleeve and the wall plate behind it.
  3. Unscrew the diverter stem counterclockwise with a deep socket or a shower valve socket set. Note which way it came out.
  4. Take the stem to the store or match it by brand below. Install the new one, hand tight plus a quarter turn, and reassemble.
  5. Turn the water on slowly and test both positions.

Parts by brand

  • Delta: RP10799 is the diverter assembly for Delta three handle tub and shower valves. Delta customer answers indicate the round RP10799 fits pre-1988 valves and an oval version (RP17730) fits later ones; confirm by looking at the shape of the opening once the handle is off.
  • Moen: on Moentrol three function transfer valves (the 3330 is the valve, not a cartridge), the diverter cartridge is the 1200 on valves made before 2007 and the 116719 on later ones. Two function transfer valves (3350, 3375) use the 162154. The hot and cold sides of a Moen three handle shower use the 1224 cartridge.
  • Other brands: the diverter stem is sold with the two handle stems on the brand page. See finding your brand.

Shower heads and tub spoutsFind your brandStart hereWhen to call a plumber

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