A shower diverter on most tubs and showers looks like a spout with a pull handle on the top of the spout.
If your bathtub and shower has a spout with a pull handle that you pull for the shower then that is the shower diverter.
When you pull the handle up that has a rod it blocks the flow through the tub spout and then sends the water up to the shower.
When you push the handle back down it allows the water to flow through the spout instead and shuts the shower off.
In some showers the shower diverter can be made into the faucet itself and when you turn a handle such as in the middle of the shower it changes the direction of the flow of water from either to the shower head or to the tub.
A bath and shower diverter is a device that diverts the flow of water either toward the tub spout (i.e., to the bathtub) or toward the shower head.
The shower diverter is commonly found in bathtubs equipped with a shower head,
The control mechanism for the diverter valve can be found near the open end of your bathtub spigot, appearing as a metal pin with a small handle.
A rubber valve is activated by pulling that pin upward, which blocks the water flow from the faucet, creating back pressure that carries the water upward to the shower head.
In a mixing valve, two incoming streams are combined into one outgoing stream.
In a diverting valve, the opposite takes place.
The exiting port of the mixing valve and the entering port on the diverting valve are called the common port, typically labeled C (for common), or sometimes AB.
In most cases, the diverter valve looks like a pin located on the bathtub faucet spout, but it might appear as a third handle or lever.
When the valve is activated, a rubber stopper plugs the water flow and the pressure sends the water through the shower head.
If you have a shower diverter valve going bad, you might notice leakage below your bathtub.
The valve can no longer properly seal off the water leading to your shower head.
If you see any leakage, it's important to replace your diverter valve as soon as possible.
Over time, diverter valves can become worn out or clogged by sediment.
If this happens, the valve will not close completely, and so some water will continue to flow out of the tub faucet even when the diverter is activated.
A properly installed shower valve should serve you well for a long time.
Even if you live in an area with hard water that causes limescale build-up in your appliances, you can expect to have a shower valve work well for about four or five years.