Tub Spouts with Diverter

Tub spouts with diverter do two jobs: they fill the bath, and they redirect water up to the showerhead when you lift the knob or pull the lever. If your shower valve does not have a diverter built in, this is the part that makes a tub and shower combination work. Examples on this page include the Townsend Slip-On Diverter Tub Spout, the Linear Round Diverter Tub Spout and the Town Square S IPS Diverter Tub Spout, from brands such as American Standard, Kohler, Brizo and ROHL.

Before you choose, look at how your existing spout connects to the pipe in the wall. Slip-on spouts slide over a copper stub and are held in place with a set screw, while IPS spouts thread onto an iron pipe nipple. Measuring how far the pipe extends past the finished wall helps you pick a spout that seats flush against the tile. Then match the finish to your shower trim: options here include Polished Chrome, Matte Black, Brushed Nickel, Polished Nickel and Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass. Round and square profiles are available, so you can carry the look of your faucet or showerhead through to the spout.

What to check before you buy

• Check the connection type first. Inspect your old spout to see whether it slips over a copper pipe with a set screw underneath or threads onto a pipe nipple. Slip-on and IPS spouts are not interchangeable without changing the stub-out in the wall.
• Measure the pipe stub-out. Note how far the pipe extends past the finished wall and compare it with the spout you are considering. Too long and the spout will not seat against the tile; too short and a slip-on spout may not grip properly.
• Confirm you actually need a diverter. If your shower valve already has its own diverter, a plain spout is the right choice. Use a diverter spout when the spout is the only way to send water to the showerhead.
• Match finish and shape to your trim. Choose a finish such as Brushed Nickel or Matte Black that matches your shower valve trim and showerhead. A round or square profile should follow the lines of the rest of the set.

Related pages and guides

• Tub Spouts
• Tub to Shower Conversion: Steps & Product Checklist

Frequently asked questions

What does the diverter on a tub spout do?

The diverter is the knob or lever on the spout that blocks the spout outlet and pushes water up to the showerhead. Push it back down, or let the water pressure release it, and water returns to the spout for filling the tub.

How do I know if I need a slip-on or IPS tub spout?

Look under your current spout: a small set screw near the wall means it is slip-on and fits over a smooth copper pipe. If there is no set screw and the spout unscrews from a threaded pipe, you need an IPS spout.

Can I replace a tub spout without opening the wall?

Usually yes, as long as the new spout uses the same connection type as the old one. Slip-on spouts come off by loosening the set screw, and threaded spouts simply unscrew from the pipe nipple.