Replace the spout with one that has a diverter in the same position as the old spout.
The diverter piece on a bathtub spout controls whether water flowing through the faucet exits out of the spout or out of the showerhead. A broken diverter will not allow water to flow out of the spout or the showerhead. Replacing the tub's spout is the quickest and easiest solution to the problem. You need to be careful to buy a new spout that is similar to the old one with the same internal threads or retaining screw.
Instructions
1. Examine the underside of the tub spout for any small holes with a screw inside or screws in plain sight. Use a screwdriver or Allen wrench to remove the screw from the spout and slide the spout off the water pipe.
2. Turn the tub spout counterclockwise, if you do not see a screw, to remove the spout from the water pipe. If the spout is stuck and will not turn, wrap a hand towel around it, clamp a pipe wrench over the towel and turn the pipe wrench counterclockwise to remove the spout.
3. Clamp the wrench to the spout's nipple, if there is one, and twist the nipple counterclockwise to remove it from the pipe. The spout's nipple is shaped like a cylinder that has flat sides on the end coming out of the water pipe.
4. Install a new bathtub spout, using the same method you used to remove the old spout but in reverse. If the spout seems loose on the water pipe, remove the spout and screw the plastic adapter piece that came with the spout into the inside of the spout, then install the spout again.
Tags: spout, diverter, remove spout, water pipe, bathtub spout, counterclockwise remove, pipe spout, pipe wrench, spout nipple, spout showerhead
