A diverter in the kitchen faucet is a useful feature. It gives you options to change the use of water spray in different modes. When you press the button on the faucet spout, you can switch between different spray modes. But if your kitchen faucet is not diverting between spray functions, it is not a good sign. You can’t use your kitchen faucet with its full efficiency.
Your faucet gets stuck in a single mode. You press the diverter valve many times but can’t change the spray function of the faucet. A clogged or damaged diverter valve is the main reason why of kitchen faucet won’t switch between spray functions. In this guide, we will discuss causes and solutions for faucets not diverting between spray modes.
Why Is My Kitchen Faucet Not Diverting Between Spray Functions?
You turn the handle of the kitchen faucet and start cleaning dishes or washing vegetables. Now you press the spray button to switch the spray mode but you can’t change the spray function. It happens because of a faulty diverter valve. If the diverter valve is not in good condition, it won’t divert water between different spray functions.
- A kitchen faucet is used many times a day. This countless use damage the diverter valve. If the diverter valve is not damaged, it might be clogged. It can prevent the faucet from switching between spray functions.
- If the spray button of the diverter valve is broken, it won’t be able to switch between spray functions. The spray button is made of plastic, so after a few years it might get broken due to daily heavy usage.
- If any of the parts inside the faucet become loose or damaged, it can affect the water flow and prevent the kitchen faucet from switching between spray functions.
Solutions To Kitchen Faucet Not Diverting Between Spray Functions
Fix The Diverter Valve
A clogged or damaged diverter valve is the main reason why your kitchen faucet does not divert between spray functions. The quality of the diverter valve decides how long it will work. In durable faucet brands such as Delta and Moen, the quality of diverter valves is high so their valves work longer. Also, if you are using a hard water kitchen faucet, the chance of diverter valve clogging is low.
Step 1 – Check The Diverter Valve
To fix a kitchen faucet that won’t divert between spray functions, start by checking its diverter valve. The diverter valve is a small component inside the faucet that is responsible for directing water flow between the faucet spout and the spray head.
To check the condition of the diverter valve, you need to remove the faucet handle. Use a wrench to remove the handle. Once the handle is removed, unscrew the cartridge screws. When you remove all screws of the cartridge, you can take the cartridge out.
Use a flathead screwdriver to pry off the old diverter valve. Check the condition of the diverter valve. If the valve is only clogged, you can reuse it after cleaning it. If it is damaged, replace it with a new one.
Step 2 – Clean the Clogged Diverter Valve
Many times, the diverter valve is in good condition but due to mineral buildups of the water it is clogged, In this situation, you should clean it before reusing it. By cleaning the diverter valve, you can make sure the blockage of the valve is removed and the water flow is proper.
To clean the diverter valve, soak it in the vinegar and water mixture for several hours. Soaking will remove mineral buildup from the valve. After a few hours, take out the valve from the mixture and rinse it with clean water.
Step 3 – Replace The Diverter Valve
If the valve is damaged or worn, cleaning it won’t solve the problem. You need to replace it with a new one.
Insert the new valve at the right position and fit it properly to avoid any leakage. Now insert the cartridge and tighten its screws. At last, tighten the screw of the handle.
Replace The Sprayer Button
If the sprayer button on the kitchen faucet spout is broken or not working properly, it should be replaced. An unresponsive or unstable sprayer button disturbs the spray of the water. You press the spray button and it doesn’t pop back out or feel loose and wobbly, These are signs the spray button needs to be replaced.
Start with turning off the water supply underneath the sink. Next, look for the protective cover around the base of the faucet sprayer hose attachment point. This may be a rubber or metallic button that unscrews counterclockwise. When you remove this cover, you can see the sprayer hose connection.
Gently wiggle and pull down on the hose attachment and it should disconnect from the faucet body. If the hose attachment is stuck, use a plier. After removing the hose, you can see the sprayer button mechanism. Grab the sprayer button firmly and pull it out.
Insert the new sprayer button into the faucet body. Push it firmly until it clicks into place. Reattach the sprayer hose by pushing it back inside the faucet until it clicks into place as well. Reattach the rubber protective cover by screwing it clockwise over the hose connection point.
How Does a Sink Sprayer Diverter Work?
The diverter helps the faucet do two things – spray water or pour a normal stream. When you press the spray button, the diverter turns. This turns the water from the normal stream to the spray hose. Now water comes out of the spray nozzle.
The diverter is shaped like a disk or triangle. It has holes that let water flow one way or another. When you press the spray button, it turns the diverter disk. That blocks the normal stream and opens up the path to the spray hose.
O rings create a seal around the diverter holes and prevent leaks. Over time, the seals and diverter can break from lots of daily use. With a damaged diverter, the faucet won’t change from spray to stream function.
Read also – How Do You Fix a Stuck Kitchen Faucet In Spray Mode?
FAQs
Can I Fix a Diverter Valve Myself?
Yes, fixing a diverter valve yourself is possible. Follow the above steps to clean or replace the diverter valve.
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Is a Diverter Valve Easy To Fix?
The diverter valves are not usually hard to fix. Remove the handle and cartridge and then remove the old diverter valve. Insert the new one and fix the faucet parts. The diverter valve removal process is simple and doesn’t require any special plumbing experience.
Are All Diverter Valves The Same?
No, all diverter valves are not the same. Their working procedure is the same but their design is different. For single-handle faucets, double-handle faucets, shower, and tub faucets there are different diverter valves. When you replace the diverter valve, you should check your faucet brand and model online or ask a store employee to get the right replacement.
When Should I Replace My Diverter?
There are many situations when you need to replace the diverter valve. If the faucet is leaking or valve is worn out or the spray function is not switching properly. Over many years of use, seals and plastic get damaged making it unable to work well.
Can a Diverter Valve Go Bad?
Yes, like any other part of the faucet, the diverter valve also goes bad. Moving parts inside the diverter valve, wear out from daily use. Mineral buildups also damage the valve. If you don’t do regular maintenance, the valve will need replacement after 5-6 years.
How Do You Lubricate a Diverter Valve?
You can use silicon or grease-based lubricant to lubricate the diverter valve. Apply these lubricants inside the moving part of the valve. Avoid using too much lubricant, because it will attract dirt.
Final Thoughts
A kitchen faucet that won’t divert between spray functions can be a frustrating problem. But it can be solved with the above simple fixes. By replacing or cleaning the diverter valve or changing the spray button, you can fix the problem of the spray function of the kitchen faucet and can easily switch between different spray modes of the kitchen faucet.
James Lewis is a seasoned plumber and faucet enthusiast who shares his expertise on Faucetsavvy.com. With over 15 years of experience in the plumbing industry, he’s passionate about helping homeowners find the perfect faucet for their needs. He’s also dedicated to empowering DIY enthusiasts with the plumbing knowledge and skills needed to repair and maintain their faucets.