Mechanical Engineer Engke
New Member
Like to share my hard lessons learned in the past few days while I tried to fix the diverter problem at my two bath rooms. I made several trips to local Home Depot and spoke to four different employees who have been plumber prior to working at HP. None of them can assist my problem.
Problem: Diverter knob cannot full divert 100% water to shower head for a shower set used for ~ 4 years.
After pull out the diverter stem, the diverter washer has random cracks / breaks around the outer diametrical edge.
Basis knowledge:
There are two types of washer to control the water flow direction. While turn the knob, or handle, clockwise, this stem moves forward and push the black washer [front most washer secured by a brass screw] against the metallic seat. This will stop water flows up to the shower head, direct 100% water to the spout, e.g. down to the bath tub.
While turn counter clockwise, the stem will pull the second washer [nylon material, beige / clear color and larger in ID and OD, which is pulled by the conical shape at the stem tip] against brass housing in the front. This diverter washer will stop water flows to the spout, all water will flow up to the shower head. While this diverter washer cracks, partial water will split to the spout.
Trial / Error fixing to final solution
1. Brought a new set of repair kits from Home Depot, ~ $6, replaced, both washers, the metallic seat inside the housing, the O ring and a black longer / thicker washer within the stem at the front section. Put the overhauled stem back, the problem getting worst, ~ 1/3 water down to the spout while divert the water to the shower head.
2. Brought the brand new diverter stem from Home Depot, ~ $13, model 9H-3D. Same problem as in fix step 1 above.
3. Call Price Pfister two days on the row, each time waited more than 15 minutes. No help at all.
4. Did the Google research, foundd the forum discussion under the "Terry Love's Plumbing and Remodel" today, 11-29-11. Saw a similar problem, one man suggested to replace with a thicker diverter washer, such as 3/8" union washer [PN 02-2004] from Larsen Supply, it may not last as long as the nylon washer.
5. Step 4 gave me a hint to use double diverter washers After I put doubler diverter washers, the problem solved. This second diverter washer is not cheap, need to buy the whole repair kit just for this part.
Hope this can help others. I will inform Home Depot Manager of the basic design issue of the Price Pfister hardware.
One question: Any one can suggest where to buy additional diverter washer alone? [repair kit or brand one
diverter stem only provide one of this washer].
Problem: Diverter knob cannot full divert 100% water to shower head for a shower set used for ~ 4 years.
After pull out the diverter stem, the diverter washer has random cracks / breaks around the outer diametrical edge.
Basis knowledge:
There are two types of washer to control the water flow direction. While turn the knob, or handle, clockwise, this stem moves forward and push the black washer [front most washer secured by a brass screw] against the metallic seat. This will stop water flows up to the shower head, direct 100% water to the spout, e.g. down to the bath tub.
While turn counter clockwise, the stem will pull the second washer [nylon material, beige / clear color and larger in ID and OD, which is pulled by the conical shape at the stem tip] against brass housing in the front. This diverter washer will stop water flows to the spout, all water will flow up to the shower head. While this diverter washer cracks, partial water will split to the spout.
Trial / Error fixing to final solution
1. Brought a new set of repair kits from Home Depot, ~ $6, replaced, both washers, the metallic seat inside the housing, the O ring and a black longer / thicker washer within the stem at the front section. Put the overhauled stem back, the problem getting worst, ~ 1/3 water down to the spout while divert the water to the shower head.
2. Brought the brand new diverter stem from Home Depot, ~ $13, model 9H-3D. Same problem as in fix step 1 above.
3. Call Price Pfister two days on the row, each time waited more than 15 minutes. No help at all.
4. Did the Google research, foundd the forum discussion under the "Terry Love's Plumbing and Remodel" today, 11-29-11. Saw a similar problem, one man suggested to replace with a thicker diverter washer, such as 3/8" union washer [PN 02-2004] from Larsen Supply, it may not last as long as the nylon washer.
5. Step 4 gave me a hint to use double diverter washers After I put doubler diverter washers, the problem solved. This second diverter washer is not cheap, need to buy the whole repair kit just for this part.
Hope this can help others. I will inform Home Depot Manager of the basic design issue of the Price Pfister hardware.
One question: Any one can suggest where to buy additional diverter washer alone? [repair kit or brand one
diverter stem only provide one of this washer].