How to fix water coming out of faucet when shower is on

When taking a shower, it’s usually preferable when the water comes out of the showerhead, not the tub spout. If you wanted to take a bath, you’d take one, so why is the water coming out of the tub spout when it should be pouring out of the showerhead?

This is a common problem in many homes – you turn on the shower, expecting a nice, toasty spray, only to find the water pressure lackluster and water pouring from the tub spout.

So, how do you fix it? We put together a guide to help you navigate this process, so continue reading to learn more!

Why Does My Bathtub Leak When The Shower Is On?

If your leaky bathtub faucet is trying to steal the show during a shower by pulling water pressure, there’s likely one of three things happening.

Shower diverter valve

Some fixes are easier than others, but try these repairs before you call a plumber to wrangle the problem.

Partially Engaged Diverter

Sometimes, the problem is as simple as a partially engaged diverter. This happens when the little rod you pull up on is only partially in place, leading to a leaking tub spout.

Inside the shower/tub setup, there’s

tub faucet leaks while shower is on

new tub spout leaking when shower is on