Shower drips when off, or the tub spout runs with the shower on

Question 1: What is the water doing?

• The showerhead or tub spout drips with the handle off: go to question 2
• The tub spout keeps running while the shower is on: go to question 3
• The showerhead sprays while only the tub spout should be on: Likely cause: a restriction or installation issue (stacking)
• Water leaks out from under a single lever handle: Likely cause: a loose adjusting ring, or worn cam and packing

Question 2: How many handles does the tub and shower have?

Count the handles you turn. A three-handle valve has hot and cold on the sides and a diverter in the middle.

• One handle: Likely cause: a worn shower cartridge
• Two or three handles: Likely cause: worn seats, springs or stem on the leaking side

Question 3: With the shower on, how much water comes out of the tub spout?

Turn the shower on full and watch the spout for a few seconds.

• A pencil-thin stream: Normal: a pencil-thin stream from the spout
• A heavy flow, much more than a pencil: go to question 4

Question 4: How do you switch the water from the tub to the shower?

• I pull up a knob or gate on the tub spout: Likely cause: a worn diverter in the tub spout
• I turn a middle handle between the hot and cold handles: Likely cause: a worn diverter stem