Step 4: Ask for a replacement gate valve that fits your shower model.Step 3: Remove your shower spout from the wall and carry it to the hardware store.This prevents small faucet bits and screws from going down the drain and getting lost. Step 2: Cover the drain with duct tape.Step 1: Turn off your water using your main bathroom spigot.If you just want the gate, it’s even cheaper. Cheap replacements are easily available and rarely cost more than $50. If you’re still having issues, it’s probably time to visit the hardware store. Step 9: Reconnect your water supply and run your water to see if you’ve fixed the leak.Īt this point, you have a shower spout that looks brand new, so if it’s still not working, you may have to throw it out and buy another shower diverter kit.Step 8: Put your spout back onto its copper pipe.Step 7: Once it’s spotless, dry it with a clean rag and add some Teflon tape to the tip.Once a day, remove the spout and check it, using a rag or old toothbrush to scrape off loose dirt. Step 6: Put the spout inside your vinegar mixture and leave it for three to four days.It should be enough to completely cover your spout, right up to its base. Step 5: Fill a metal dish with vinegar and water.Apply the paste onto the dirty parts of the spout, let it sit for half an hour, then rinse it off.
You can also scrape off the dirt using a paste of vinegar and baking soda. Step 4: Look inside the spout and use a rasp or sandpaper to scrape off any visible dirt or stains.If it’s a pop-on, use a screwdriver or palette knife to gently pry it off the wall.If it’s threaded, turn it anticlockwise until it comes off.If it’s a screw-on, remove the screw then pull out the spout.Step 3: Remove the spout according to its type:.A pop-in pipe that slides onto the wall and locks in place.A threaded pipe that screws onto the wall.Step 2: Inspect your spout to see how it’s attached to the wall.Step 1: Turn off your water supply from the main spigot.When you want to stop your handheld showerhead from leaking, you need to clean the inner parts of your diverter gate. Your vinegar wash will only clean the visible parts of your spout. The latter two products have ingredients that could be corrosive and might damage the metal and plastic parts of your shower. Step 4: Wipe away any excess spray and wash the oil off the bathtub.Īlways use cooking spray instead of hair spray or wax.Step 3: Try pulling it up and down again.Step 2: Apply some cooking spray to lubricate the knob.Step 1: Pull the diverter knob up and down a few times to loosen it.Any cooking spray will do, and you probably have some in the kitchen. If your diverter gate stays stubborn after your vinegar soak, try using a lubricant to make it work better. Option 2 – Loosen your diverter with cooking spray It also saves you the cost of buying replacement parts, so it’s a pocket-friendly way to fix your shower leak. Step 6: Once the spout looks clean and shiny again, pull the diverter gate to see if it works.Ĭleaning your spout with vinegar is good for the environment, because vinegar is organic and non-toxic, unlike harsh bathroom cleaners.Step 5: Leave the faucet submerged for three or four days, checking it once a day.