When our tub spout diverter clogs, I use WD-40 with its spray nozzle curved up the spout to the diverter valve. A couple of sprays gets things loosened up and working again. Jackson Tutt ...

Unlike the spout-mounted pin-style diverters, their push button cousins are built into the faucet valve assembly. This means you need to remove the entire valve from the wall to service the diverter.

Since the diverter is built into the tub spout, you must replace the entire spout. There are a variety of colors and finishes available at the home center starting at about $15.

In the tub spout diverter, a small gate valve is attached to the base of a plunger shaft located in the spout. It is held in the up position for the shower by water pressure.

Nope. Turns out the culprit was the diverter tub spout—that little knob you lift to direct the flow of water from the tub spout to the shower.