Hey everyone! I'm a young homeowner (only been at it for less than two years!) and I'm running into a problem with my tub's diverter. When I moved in, I realized it didn't work very well and has since completely seized up about six months ago. I've watched plenty of how-to videos on replacing the diverter, and it seems doable, but the metal rod is completely stuck and won't budge. I've tried everything from vinegar and CLR to WD40, but no luck. I really want to avoid removing the entire spout assembly since my house is over 100 years old, and I'm super worried about damaging the pipes. Any suggestions would be fantastic!
1 Answer
First off, what position is the diverter stuck in? If it’s jammed up, try pushing it down gently from inside the spout with your fingers. Sometimes giving it a light tap with a rubber mallet can help loosen it up too. Usually, diverters shouldn’t get stuck like this without a reason, so it might just need a little encouragement!
It’s stuck in an ‘up’ position and won’t move at all. No wiggles or spins! I’m thinking it might be toast.