You do not want to see water coming out of the showerhead and tap spout simultaneously when you turn on the shower the last thing you want to see. It is also annoying particularly when you are attempting to use solid water pressure but it is also indicative of a much greater plumbing problem requiring some remedy.
A tub spout leaking when shower is on is one of the most common problems homeowners face and while it may seem minor it can waste hundreds of gallons of water a month and raise your utility bills and eventually lead to leaks behind the wall. That is why it is so crucial to grasp the nature of the situation and its reasons and the way to solve it within a short period.
We have assisted thousands of homeowners to identify the root cause of these problems at Leak Experts USA. You have a tub diverter malfunctioning or the water is leaking through tub spout and shower head or shower diverter leak our professional team is well versed with the diagnosis of the problem and the proper way to fix it.
In the event your tub spout has been misbehaving at the moment you can contact us at any time at (702) 745 5571 and we will deliver fast reliable service.
Table of Contents
- What It Means When You Notice a Tub Spout Leaking When Shower Is On
- The Role of Your Tub Spout and Shower Diverter
- Why Your Shower Diverter Stops Working
- Common Causes of Water Coming Out of Tub Spout and Shower Head
- Why Las Vegas Homes Experience This Problem Frequently
- DIY Troubleshooting Tips
- The Hidden Costs of Ignoring a Tub Spout Leak
- Should You Repair or Replace the Tub Spout and Diverter?
- When to Call a Professional Plumber
- How Leak Experts USA Fixes a Tub Spout Leak
- Preventing Diverter Problems in the Future
- FAQs
What It Means When You Notice a Tub Spout Leaking When Shower Is On
Seeing your tub spout leaking when shower is on is almost always a sign that your diverter the mechanism that redirects water upward to your showerhead isn’t functioning properly.
Imagine that the diverter is a traffic controller and when you lift the lever or turn the knob you are closing the water flow to the tub spout and diverting the water to flow up into the shower pipe. In case the diverter cannot close completely you will see:
- A weak shower stream
- Trickles or water streaming off the tub spout.
- Fluctuating pressure
- Problem with keeping a warm shower.
The question that is frequently asked by owners of a home is: Why is my tub spout leaking in the shower? and the resolution is in most cases reduced to three things:
- The diverter is lost or exhausted.
- The tub spout assembly is broken.
- The internal valve or O-rings are worn out.
At any of such instances the system cannot fully divert water to your showerhead resulting in wastage and possible long term damages.
The Role of Your Tub Spout and Shower Diverter
It is better to begin by a little knowledge of how the diverter operates. The faucet or tub spout contains a mechanism that prevents the downward flow of water and causes it to be directed to the showerhead via another pipe that runs upwards.
When all things are running well you should observe:
- There is no water in the tube spout after the shower is switched on.
- Consistent water pressure
- A uninterrupted stream of the showerhead.
However, when there is a shower diverter leak diverter is not able to fit back and thus water leaks through spout. This causes the bath spout to leak when the shower is running that is not only irritating but also costly in the long run.
A diverter contains moving parts and small seals hence it is natural that they wear out over time particularly in places that contain heavy water with minerals.
Why Your Shower Diverter Stops Working
So, you are probably asking yourself Why is my tub spout leaking during shower? and this is what generally brings about the failure:
Mineral Buildup: The minerals of hard water gather around the diverter gate or valve and with time, the buildup cannot allow the diverter to close fully.
Worn O Rings and Washers: These are small parts made out of rubber that aid in forming a water tight seal and when they wear out, leakages become unavoidable.
Leaks or Rust on the Bottom or Inside the Spout or Faucet: There is a possibility of corrosion or wear of metal components within the diverter that result in holes where water can leak out.
Broken Tub Spout Threads or Fittings: In case the water is leaking behind the wall or at the end of the pipe the spout assembly should be replaced.
Old or Faulty Diverter Design: The old homes make use of diverters established into the faucet handle and not the spout and are difficult to mend and wear out more rapidly.
Each of these may lead to the symptoms of faulty shower diverter leaking, reduced pressure or uneven flow of water.
Common Causes of Water Coming Out of Tub Spout and Shower Head
When you watch water leaking out of tub spout and shower head it is one of the following:
A Failing Diverter Gate: The gate is no longer closed entirely and this means that there are two routes through which water flows: down and up.
Obstructed by debris or sediment that is underneath the seal: The valve may not be able to close due to a tiny fragment of debris.
Cracks in the Internal Valve: This renders a tight seal impossible.
An Obliterated or Broken Diverter Stem: The stem regulates the closing and opening of the water passage.
Wrong Pressure/Plumbing arrangements: Unsuitable plumbing design may overload the diverter.
Why Las Vegas Homes Experience This Problem Frequently
It is true that many homeowners in Las Vegas have to deal with the problem of the diverter much earlier than anticipated and it happens to be because:
- The region has very tough water that causes minerals to be deposited quickly.
- A lot of houses constructed within the past few decades employ cheap models of diverters that are likely to wear out easily.
- The climate conditions in the deserts may cause varying temperature and pressure within pipes.
For these reasons tub spout leaking when shower is on problems are more common here than in many other cities.
Our company is experienced in the diagnosis of shower and tub leakages in Las Vegas which gives us an upper hand in repairing the mineral deposits and replacement of worn diverters and pressure imbalances.
DIY Troubleshooting Tips
We have some simple checks, which you can make before calling a plumber.
Assess the Diverter Stiffness: Lift the diverter lever and is it loose, stiff or unsteady? Rigidity is a common indicator of accumulation.
Check the Showerhead: Unscrew the showerhead and inspect the showerhead to ensure that there is no debris or clogged holes and low flow upwards can cause water to flow downwards.
Attempt to Clean Tub Spout Diverter: Fill a bag with white vinegar and use a rubber band to connect it to the spout and leave it overnight to dissolve mineral deposits.
Sound of Water Behind the Wall: In case you hear dripping or hissing, you possibly have a leak somewhere inside the wall that is a major concern, and they need a professional assistance.
Install a Tub Spout (Should You Be An Experienced Person): When you have a handyman, a screw on spout can be replaced easily but when it is a slip fit spout you need to be precise and then you will find that there will be spills in the wall.
While DIY can temporarily help it will not solve mechanical failures and if you still notice your tub spout leaking when shower is on it’s time for a professional inspection.
The Hidden Costs of Ignoring a Tub Spout Leak
Many homeowners see a tub spout leaking when shower is on as nothing more than a mild annoyance but the truth is ignoring this issue can trigger a chain reaction of costly plumbing problems. A mere diverter malfunction may keep on escalating into a significant family issue.
The following are some of the unknown costs and risks that the homeowners tend to ignore:
Higher Water Bills
Even the slightest leak will spend hundreds of gallons every month and because you are paying water that is going down the tub spout rather than the showerhead.
Higher wear to the plumbing fixtures.
Using a defective diverter to run your shower causes your plumbing system to work extra hard and in the longer run this will reduce the life of your shower valve or faucet or tub spout assembly.
Hidden Wall Damage
In the event that the leakage is occasioned by a loose or corroded internal connection water may be dripping behind the wall without your knowledge, and this may result in:
- Mold growth
- Damaged drywall
- Structural wood rot
- Pest activity
Such fixes would run in thousands of dollars compared to a mere replacement of the diverter.
Poor Shower Performance
The loss of pressures in the shower turns a normal routine into a nightmare and the majority of the home owners do not know that their loss of shower pressure is closely related to the leak they have below.
Risks of Full Diverter Failure.
Should the diverter malfunction at any one time all your water will come out through the tub spout rendering your shower useless.
Repairing a diverter before it is necessary will save you that unwarranted money and give your shower back to its full functionality and in case you are already experiencing some symptoms of a faulty shower diverter then you should repair it before the damage escalates.
Should You Repair or Replace the Tub Spout and Diverter?
When dealing with a tub spout leaking when shower is on homeowners often wonder whether a quick repair is enough or if a full replacement is the smarter choice. This will depend on the state of the diverter and tub spout and internal valves and the plumbing system in general.
When a Repair Is Enough
A basic fix is usually adequate in cases where:
- It is just partially clogged with the diverter.
- The major problem is mineral deposition.
- The O rings or washers wear-out.
- The leak is small and recent
- The faucet or tub spout is also not worn out.
This can be solved in such situations by cleaning up or replacing some parts inside the machine.
When Replacement Is the Better Alternative.
A complete replacement should normally be considered when:
- The diverter is worn out to the last drop.
- The tub spout is either corroded or broken.
- There is a leakage of water behind the wall.
- The faucet is old fashioned or has been withdrawn.
- You have frequent problems with shower diverts leakages.
- There is a lot of mineral deposition in the older plumbing systems in your home.
A replacement makes the product reliable in the long term and in many cases it will enhance water pressure and efficiency.
The way Leak Experts USA can assist you in making decisions.
Our technicians evaluate:
- Water pressure levels
- Diverter functionality
- Condition of the tub spout
- Plumbing fixtures are of what age?
- Mineral or rust buildup
- Any signs of hidden leaks
Then we give a straight-forward recommendation without upselling or coercion.
It may only require a small adjustment or a complete overhaul and our company will take care of business the first time and in case you are able to notice that some water is coming out of tub spout and shower head you should use a professional evaluation as it will save you time, money and headache in the future.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
A diverter leak may not sound challenging but is a part of your pressurized water system at home and in case of the failure (or looseness) of the wrong part you might find yourself with:
- Mold growth
- Damaged drywall
- Hidden leaks
- Increased water bills
- Permanent pipe damage
Call a professional if:
- The leak gets worse
- The diverter has been trapped or loosened.
- The spout cannot be removed or re-installed.
- The water pressure continues to decrease.
- Walls are dripping behind us.
Same day appointments are provided by our company in the repair of showers and replacement of shower diverters and shower plumbing.
How Leak Experts USA Fixes a Tub Spout Leak
At this company our trained technicians take a step by step approach to diagnose and repair a tub spout leaking when shower is on:
Step 1: Full Inspection
We check:
- Diverter condition
- Tub spout attachment
- Internal valves
- Showerhead flow
- Water pressure
- Signs of hidden leaks
Step 2: Diverter Testing
We recognize that the problem is either a spout diverter or faucet diverter or internal cartridge.
Step 3: Part replacement/ repair.
Depending on the issue we may:
- Replace the tub spout
- Receal the diverter gate or stem.
- Wash off or reweld mineral heavy parts.
- Insert a new faucet cartridge.
- Obvious impediments in the pipes.
Step 4: System Balancing
This is done by maintaining the correctness of pressure levels to ensure that the problem does not reappear.
Step 5: Follow Up Support
All the repairs are accompanied by maintenance and prevention instructions.
Having experience with Las Vegas homes we understand precisely what sort of diverters do last longer and perform better particularly in high mineral water set ups.
Preventing Diverter Problems in the Future
The shower plumbing system can be extended a couple of years with some simple tips:
Install a Water Softener: This will stop the build up of minerals and will have a longer life of your fixtures.
Wash Your Spout and Showerhead: Minerals are dissolved by vinegar soaks.
Change Aging Fixtures before it is too late: Proactive replacement is less expensive than diverters which wear out.
Aid in Annuals Checks of the plumbing: Leak Experts USA provides inspections to diverters in order to reveal the problem as soon as possible.
Avoid Forcing the Diverter: Forced lever may break internal parts in case of sticking.
The preventive measures are helpful in avoiding:
- Tub diverter inefficiently operating.
- Shower diverter leak
- Shower leaks on bath spout.
FAQs
1. Why is my tub spout leaking during shower?
It is probably because the diverter is not completely sealed by wear or mineral deposition or damage to internal valves.
2. How to fix a leaking tub spout?
It is based on the cause and cleaning or replacement of the spout or installation of a new diverter may be needed. In case the problem lies in-house a plumber is required.
3. Is a tub spout leak dangerous?
Left unattended it may cause internal wall leakages and water damages.
4. Can I use my shower if the tub spout leaks?
Yes but you will have poor pressure and wasted water every time.
5. How long does it take a plumber to fix it?
Repairs will require less than an hour depending on the state of the diverter.
Contact the Trusted Plumbing Specialists
A tub spout leaking when shower is on may seem minor but it can be a sign of a failing diverter or deeper plumbing problem. The proper repair guarantees a higher water pressure and reduces in terms of bills and cleaner showering.
We offer:
- Same day appointments
- Repairs on diverter and tub spouts at an affordable price.
- No mess no stress service
- Experienced technicians
- Strauss forward pricing.
Book your shower repair or check up today by calling (702) 745 5571.
Your house should be given the most secure plumbing service which is entrusted to those who are experts in matters of detecting and repairing leaks.
