Fix Shower Diverter Solder Leak

[eddymoney]

Please see the attached picture. DIYer & I did not do any of this rough plumbing. The joint where the copper runs into the diverter is leaking. It seems to me that the logical thing to do would be heat the joint, pull the copper out and then re-solder it, however, my research is that this runs the risk of damaging the diverter. I'm not really sure what other path to take, because as far as I am concerned, this will always be pressurized. The good news is that it is a verrrry slow leak, and fills up a water bottle after about 3 weeks of showering. That being said, I need to finish the wall that this inside of, and this needs to be corrected first. This is a Kohler diverter if it means anything. I would love any advice that anyone has. It seems like there is enough access to repair this thoroughly, but I could be wrong. Thank you.

 

[JohnCT]

Just gut the body from the front and redo the connections. The body is brass and you won't hurt it. Don't try to just reflow because even if the leak stops, it won't last. If that were mine, I'd redo all the connections while I was behind the wall. I have a brush I use with a drill to clean up old internal connections.

It seems to me that the logical thing to do would be heat the joint, pull the copper out and then re-solder it, however, my research is that this runs the risk of damaging the diverter.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Slomoola]

I would gut all of it. What is all that black around the sweated copper? Too much acetylene? Nothing about that looks like a good solder job. No wonder it is leaking.

For sure gut the body as JohnCT said.

Wood is split. Also cut out which I cringe when I see people cut structure. You can see the two eras of the wood used. Someone has been in there fiddling around.

I would make a future access panel door there. Help the next guy out.