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Steps
1
Place a towel over the bathtub drain to prevent small parts, such as the diverter gate or screws, from falling into the plumbing.
2
Identify the diverter valve. In tub-shower combos, this is typically the pull arm located on the bathtub faucet that redirects water flow to the shower head.
3
Remove the old diverter gate. Use needle-nose pliers or a flat-head screwdriver to pull the two legs of the gate apart or pry it away from the lift rod.
4
Inspect the gate for a seal. If the rubber seal is missing, degraded, or fallen out, it will prevent the valve from diverting water to the shower head.
5
Prepare the new gate by inserting the rubber seal from the repair kit. Ensure the flat side of the seal is facing out from the gate.
6
Insert the new gate into the tub spout, ensuring it slides underneath the two metal fins inside the spout.
7
Reattach the lift rod by inserting it from the top and snapping it into the notch of the gate. Use your fingers or needle-nose pliers to help snap the plastic pieces into place.
8
Turn on the water supply and test the functionality by pulling up on the lift rod to verify that water is successfully diverted from the tub spout to the shower head.
Pro Tips
Take the original diverter gate to the hardware store to ensure you purchase a repair kit that matches the specific size and shape of your valve.