Water Still Flowing From Faucet While Using Shower [Solved]

So, the diverter basically directs the water from the shower head to the faucet. But over time, there can be an issue with it. That is basically when the water comes out of the shower head and faucet simultaneously. But what causes it?

The issue is generally caused by hard water buildup. This mineral blockage within the valve leads to the tub faucet leaking when the shower is on. As a default fix, you must clear out the mineral buildup.

Water still comes out of faucet when using shower? In that case, you will need to repair or replace the valve. Keep on reading to learn everything there’s to it.

What to Do When Faucet and Shower Head Run at the Same Time

So, if you had a shower that won’t shut off, you would have had to repair the shower faucet stem. But as you are not dealing with a shower leak, the fixes for this issue will be a little different. Take a look –

1. Clear Out the Mineral Buildup

As mentioned earlier, the default way to fix a running faucet when using the shower is to clear the mineral buildup. Here are the steps –

Remove the showerhead and take out the valve

Before anything else, turn the water supply valve off. Then, grab a wrench or pair of pliers. Put some plumber’s tape on the jaws of the tool. This tape will ensure you do not scratch or scuff up the body.

Afterward, grip the showerhead connector with the pliers or wrench and turn it counterclockwise. Once it loosens up, you can use your hand to get the showerhead off. You should be able to access the valve inside. Take it out with the pliers.

Put the valve in a bowl of vinegar

At this point, you have to fill up a bowl with vinegar and leave the part inside it overnight. Leaving it for a couple of hours should do the trick if you are in a hurry.

Clean the parts with a brush

The vinegar should loosen up all the mineral buildup within the valve. Use a brush to remove the sediments, then rinse them with clean water.

Put things back in place

Now that the valve is clean, it will be time to reinstall the showerhead. Put the valve back into place and then work with the connector. Use the wrench or pliers to tighten it up. But make sure that you do not overtighten it.

What to Do If You Can Not Remove the Showerhead

Don’t have the tools? Can’t seem to get the showerhead loose to access the valve? There’s an alternative!

You basically need to wrap a plastic bag around the showerhead. Then, fill the bag with a good amount of vinegar and seal the bag with rubber bands. Leave this setup overnight.

The vinegar should seep into the parts of the showerhead and clear out most of the mineral buildup. Afterward, when your turn the shower, you should see all the debris come out.

2. Replace or Repair the Tee Valve Shower Diverter

Is the issue persisting? Are you still wondering what you should do? Well, you need to work with the diverter.

Now, shower heads and faucets also utilize three-valve and two-valve diverters. But the single or Tee-diverter is more common than those two. So, the guidelines below will only focus on the Tee-diverter.

Turn the water supply off and seal the drain

First of all, you need to close the shut-off valve. You should also seal the drain with a towel.

Remember, anything can go wrong during the process, leading to you getting thoroughly drenched or losing small parts. Therefore, you should not skip these preliminary steps.

Loosen the showerhead

With the drain blocked and the shut-off valve closed, locate the waterspout’s set screw. It should be on the underside of the spout, right near the base. Use an appropriately-sized screwdriver to get it out.

Alternatively, your shower setup may come with a simple connector. Use a wrench or pair of pliers to get this connector off.

Remove the diverter by taking the waterspout off

Depending on the bathtub, the waterspout should slide right out or unscrew. If you are unsure how to remove it, you must look into the user manual.

And when you get the waterspout out, you should have access to the valve. Use a pair of pliers.

Inspect the diverter and replace it if needed

Check the overall condition of the diverter. Does it appear to be worn or rusted? In that case, a replacement is a must.

But if the diverter seems to be in good condition, the issue may be with the washer. In that case, all you have to do is install new washers.

Put things back in place

With the valve taken care of, you should put things back in place. Make sure that the placement of the valve and the washers are correct. And remember not to overtighten anything, as you will risk stripping the threads.

Tips for Maintaining the Shower System

You can enhance the lifespan of the shower system and avoid issues by considering some simple maintenance tips, which are –

1. Clean the shower regularly to avoid buildup.
2. Pay close attention to lower water pressure, as it generally hints there’s a clog within the system.
3. Don’t ignore hard water because it is the primary reason for issues. If possible, invest in a water softener system.
4. Check the valve, washer, and other parts of the system occasionally. Replace the things that appear to be worn out or faulty.

Final Words

To recap, when the water still comes out of faucet when using the shower after cleaning out the buildup, it’s generally the washer or the valve that requires a replacement.

And there’s no need to call a professional plumber to take care of it. But yes, if the issue is still there, you should get the shower system checked up.