Water Drips When Shower Is Off and Diverter Is Engaged [Solved]

Owners who have a tub spout can relate the water coming when the shower is off. If this ever happens to you, this guide will help!

Well, the tub spout leaks when the water is off happens due to a bad cartridge, gasket, O-ring, diverter, or the tub spout. To troubleshoot it, you just need to change the cartridge, gasket, O-ring, diverter, or tub spout itself.

No worries if you don’t know how to do it! I’ll provide the solutions and explain the reasons behind them as well. Here I Go!

Causes and Fixes of Tub Spout Leaking When Water Is Off!

If water leaks from the tub spout when the shower is off, you first need to find the causes and then troubleshoot it. To do that, here are the details:

Cause #1: Rusted Cartridge

The shower faucet leaking from the spout when turned off usually happens when the cartridge is damaged. As this part gets problematic, it can’t control the flow of water from the tub spout. You can easily resolve it by changing the cartridge.

How to Fix?

To begin with, turn off the water from the main line. Then, take out the handle cover to find the tiny screw and remove it using a screwdriver from the handle. After that, detach the handle and escutcheon after removing the putty with a putty knife.

Next, take out the retaining clip and unseat the cartridge using a pair of needle nose pliers. Just ensure to twist it to detach it safely. After that, insert a new cartridge into the place and attach a retaining clip.

Make sure you clean the copper or galvanized pipe with a steel scrubber and put grease on it. Then, use some sealant on the wall. After that, reverse the process and tighten the handle’s screw before putting the handle cap.

Cause #2: Damaged Gasket

Even though it’s rare, the broken gasket in the cartridge can cause leakage in the tub spout when the water is off.

This occurs as the damaged gasket isn’t able to seal the area properly, causing some water to reach the tub spout. And so, it leaks in the front. You can stop it by installing a new gasket inside the cartridge area.

How to Fix?

Start by shutting off the water from the main line. Then, unscrew one bolt from the handle part. Next, take out the escutcheon and unseat the cartridge from the copper or galvanized pipe.

After that, flip it upside down to see the inner gasket which is secured. Then, use a screwdriver to unscrew the nut in the middle and then replace the gasket.

Next, reinstall the cartridge, escutcheon, handle, and other parts as well. Be sure to use putty or sealant as well.

Cause #3: Defective O-ring

Leaking tub spout when the diverter is engaged usually happens when the O-ring attached to the thread of the cartridge is damaged. To repair it, you’ll need to replace the O-ring.

How to Fix?

Turn off the water supply and detach the cartridge (direction given above). Next, locate the O-ring that is attached to the cartridge part and remove it.

After that, insert a new O-ring that is correct in size and secure it properly. Once you’ve done this, insert the cartridge back into its spot.

Then, put on some putty or sealant and insert the escutcheon and handle. Next, secure the handle with the screw and then attach the handle cap.

Cause #4: Faulty Diverter

Sometimes the bathtub spout flows water but when you lift the diverter, the water doesn’t come from the shower faucet. It occurs due to a bad diverter and its plastic parts. To resolve it, you’ll need to get a tub spout diverter repair kit and replace the faulty components.

How to Fix?

Go beneath the bathtub spout then you can see the white plastic seal that holds the diverter valve. After that, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to hold the seal and then lift the diverter from above. That way, you can remove both the plastic components and the diverter valve.

Now, bring the new kit and insert the gasket inside the white plastic seal. Then, attach the new diverter valve from above the tub spout and add the plastic seal from the bottom. Next, ensure the parts are locked in the right place. Done!

Cause #5: Corroded Tub Spout

If the tub spout is rusted completely, it can cause leakage even if the water is turned off. It’s because the inner mechanisms won’t be able to operate properly which can result in the tub spout leaking some water. To solve it, you need to change the tub spout.

How to Fix?

Determine what type of tub spout you have before replacing it. If it’s a slip-on type, then just locate the set screw under the spout and unscrew it with a screwdriver.

Then, pull it out and add sealant on the wall before you insert the new one. After that, add the screw and tighten it out.

However, if you have a threaded type, remove the old one with a pair of pliers or hand. After that, use sealant or putty on the wall.

Then, insert the adapter in the front of a copper or galvanized pipe and use Teflon tape on the thread. Next, push the threaded spout on the adapter area and twist it until the spout is secured.

Wrap Up

You can easily fix the tub spout leaking when the water is off by trying the above solutions. For that, ensure to get some parts and basic tools to use on the project. Hope for the best and know that you can do it yourself!Now, learn how to fix a two-handled leaky bathtub faucet if you have this type of plumbing system. Continue reading for a leak-free bath!