Plumbing – Why Does the Shower Head Drip When the Tub Faucet Is On?

bathtubplumbingplumbing-fixtureshowerwater-pressure

I just installed a new tub fixture set:
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There are two controls – one for temperature and one for volume. The large handle is volume.

When the diverter valve is engaged the shower sprays properly and no water comes from the spout:
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But if I disengage the diverter and run the water at full pressure, the spout flows but there is still a slow shower from the shower head:
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However, if I reduce volume enough:
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(note the angle of the volume control)
the shower stops dripping:
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Is something wrong with my installation, or am I right in suspecting that I simply have too much water pressure in my house?

I've checked all the plumbing from behind (the wall behind the tub is open) – there are no leaks.

Best Answer

What did you use to connect your tub spout?

I plumbed my bathroom with Pex and was heavily cautioned NOT to use Pex to run from the main valve to the tub spout because it would create exactly the issue your describing.

Since the inner diameter of Pex is slightly less than regular copper (or threaded brass fittings, which is what I used) it will create a slight flow restriction to the tub spout and (inadvertently) divert it to the shower head.

Just a thought...

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