Shower Diverter Keeps breaking

I have a Shower Diverter that keeps breaking. Last one, I had for 10 years, and it got stuck, or sprays water between the Shower head and faucet.

So plumbers replaced it, 2 more in fact, and the same issue. I promise I am not pulling the shower head hard, never broke this many shower diverters in my life.

One the plumbers mentioned, that the Shower Valve and Gasket may need to be replaced. that the shower valve gasket is not able to hold the water properly, and thats why diverter keeps breaking. Its around $800 to cut a hole in the wall and replace.

Just curious if this has any merit, or not, if I should conduct, or is the plumber just trying to overcharge, however, I prefer to be an optimist. Thanks,

Additional Notes: There is a brick wall behind my shower (in a condo complex), that's why plumber recommends fixing through the tub wall, I pull up the diverter on the tub spout.
Its an all Metal Spout, and Copper Pipe, I Rotate it to pull the Spout out,

Today, I could not even pull up on the shower diverter, my Shower Pressure is 57, within normal limits

Bathtub is 40 years old, including the shower valve

Post pictures of everything, and tell a better story describing your plumbing setup.

Is the diverter up at the shower head?
Or on the tub spout?

Or in the wall, between spout and shower head, like a valve that you twist or push?

there is a brick wall behind my shower (in a condo complex), that's why plumber recommends fixing through the tub wall, I pull up the diverter on the tub spout, picture above,

The quality of that style of tub spout diverter varies wildly, 40 years ago they were built solid, now they are often flimsy junk.

Buy a good, heavy, all metal one, read reviews, ask at plumbing show rooms or supply houses.

You need to know what kind of pipe feeds it.
Is is copper, galvanized, threaded, o ring with set screw?
Length of pipe that feeds it, etc.

Meanwhile, your building water pressure might be high, those diverters don’t do well with high pressure.

When your shower is over, turn the water off, THEN release the diverter, or just let it fall.

Forcing the diverter open under pressure shortens its life.

just adding more information , I have an all Metal Spout, its a Copper Pipe, I Rotate it to pull the Spout out,

also, still doesn't answer the question, should I listen to plumber, and think about getting new Shower Valve?

A new shower valve, with a separate diverter valve in the wall, would be good.

Your old valve also might not be anti-scald, pressure balancing type.

A new valve would have that feature.

ok, thanks, hope its not just an accessory, but an actual solution,

I guess I will pay $800 , just wanted a Second opinion. Its funny, I googled all around for this, 'shower diverter keeps breaking', no one really recommended a new Valve in all the plumbing directions websites, ah well, first time for everything

Thanks for the recommendation

Plus I live in a Condo, so if I do this, I have to shut off water for 70 other residents , its connected to whole building, according to leasing and sellers

If you get a new valve, get one with integral stops.

They are little built in shutoffs, right in the valve, so you will be able to work on the valve in the future without the whole building getting shut off.

A new valve will increase the value when you sell someday.

I would not recommend replacing the valve. That looks like a Moen with pressure balancing. They are good quality valves. Even if you had to replace the tub spout every few years, it would be far less costly and destructive than replacing the shower valve. You would have to make a fairly major hole in the tub surround, which would be unsightly and a potential leak. It would decrease the value of the condo, if anything. As Jeff noted, most spouts today are very cheap junk. You need to get a better quality tub spout of the appropriate style (1/2" screw on).

What kind of water pressure do you have in your condo

I would recommend finding out the water pressure. Then replacement of the shower cartridge if needed. There’s a condo I go to and they have faucets and showers fail all the time because the PRV valve is broken and not reducing incoming water pressure from the city.

Thats a Moen valve and does not need to be changed! You said the original diverter spout, which must also have been Moen, lasted 10 years. If you are the original owner Moen will replace your spout for free. Part only. It is important to know if this spout screws on or is held in place by a set screw under the spout. Also if the pipe coming out of the wall is copper or IPS. You may have answered this earlier in this thread. I'm asking because all you have to do is replace the spout and you shouldn't have to pay a plumber to do that.

Above all, You need to check the water pressure in your unit. 50-65 psi recommended. Get gauge that attaches to a hose bibb and see what it says.

Most diverter tub spouts are so cheap, why not just replace. They routinely go bad b/c they are cheap.
I don't follow that you rotate to replace. On a copper stub-out, usually there is a tightening part on the underside.
I think I still have a few on my shelves and am retired.
If you pay the postage you can have them all.
I NEVER would install shower valves with copper stubs, only threaded brass pipe nipples.
Much more long-term durability. Copper stubs suck royally in mho because they are too prone to damage.
Grohe makes great, solid diverter spouts.
Don't replace the entire shower valve.

Let me rephrase that, I cannot even Pull up on the diverter now, its not stuck, just seems like there is too much pressure for to prevent me pulling it up,


apartment managers states shower pressure is 57, within normal limits

breplum said:

Most diverter tub spouts are so cheap, why not just replace. They routinely go bad b/c they are cheap.
I don't follow that you rotate to replace. On a copper stub-out, usually there is a tightening part on the underside.
I think I still have a few on my shelves and am retired.
If you pay the postage you can have them all.
I NEVER would install shower valves with copper stubs, only threaded brass pipe nipples.
Much more long-term durability. Copper stubs suck royally in mho because they are too prone to damage.
Grohe makes great, solid diverter spouts.
Don't replace the entire shower valve.

Click to expand...

I've had to replace 3 in 3 months

Describe what you are attaching the tub spout to, be precise.

Is the stub coming out from the wall threaded?

Is it copper, brass, galvanized.

Post a pic of it, with a tape measure held next to it showing exact length.

Do you need to apply teflon tape or pipe dope to the stub, or does it seal inside the spout with an o ring?

These questions are going to lead someone here to find you a spout that is not a total piece of $h1t.

I will find out @JeffHandy, by the ways, its almost like water gets stuck in the system when I'm using it, the diverter works this morning suddenly

Sounds like you just have a bad tub spout. Your probably going to have to put another slip fit tub spout on if you have
copper coming out the wall. I agree with others that I wouldn't spend $800.00 because of this problem. If you think the
pressure is so hard that you can't pull the diverter up then you got more of a problem than just a tub spout.

just fyi, my bathtub is 40 years old, including the shower valve