DIAGNOSTICS: Why does this scream and stop allowing the bath to run?

[PracticalQuestion]

When you slide the bar to the left it allows the run of water but when you slide it to the right it allows water to filter through the shower head.

But it automatically skips to the shower which makes a bath impossible to run!

I have to hold it in place with bands, and sometimes even that begins a blood curdling squeal as it fights to slip back into shower mode.

Is it repairable or does the whole unit have to be replaced? I'm hoping the hole distance is universal because otherwise there'll be whopping great holes on the bath!

I think this one probably goes to renowned MN expert @pigletjohn

Some sort of wear in the diverter valve. If you took it apart you might see what it was and perhaps repair, replace or repack the faulty part.

If it was a major UK maker you might be able to get replacement parts

There is a thin chance that if you sent your photo to Lunn's they might identify it. There is quite a range.
shop.lunns.net/diverters-for-bath-mixers-45-c.asp

I rather think a new one will be your best option

I am very fond of Bristan taps

You will need a plumber to change it

Tap hole spacing is standardised

@PigletJohn sorry to jump on the thread, may I ask if basin tap holes are universal- so one tap can be changed for another? We recently had our cloakroom done but I really don't love the basin tap and am already thinking about an alternative.

Please get a plumber round to sort it out.

I don't know why you think a group of random people on the internet can sort out your problem ?

Get an expert in.

Blimey, Cheshire.
If no-one ever asked anything, none of us would ever learn.
Sometimes people just want a bit of pointing in the right direction so they can understand what the potential issue is.

Piglet John might be an expert. I often post replies from my husband who is a builder and used to be gas Safe registered so has considerable expertise.

Thank you @PigletJohn, as always you do not disappoint!

@CheshireKitten123

Please get a plumber round to sort it out.

I don't know why you think a group of random people on the internet can sort out your problem ?

Get an expert in.

You must be a newbie here. If not, you'd have heard and probably benefitted from MN's very own glorious @PigletJohn by now. Ah well. Maybe Google old school stuff like cancel the cheque to familiarise yourself with MN! 😁

@Wingedharpy

Blimey, Cheshire. If no-one ever asked anything, none of us would ever learn. Sometimes people just want a bit of pointing in the right direction so they can understand what the potential issue is.

Why is there a need to know the potential issue?

It makes no difference to how it gets fixed - that's a plumber's job.

@mimos4

basin taps do not usually have two holes, they have either one (for a mixer tap) or two (for individual taps)

It is possible to leave one hole unused and blank it off, but that looks very unsightly.

@CheshireKitten123 not if you can do it yourself it's not!

sorry

I mean "do not usually have two holes 180mm apart like for a bath filler"

they usually have one in each corner

@PigletJohn sorry I must've explained wrong. There's one hole - I'm just wondering if I can change to a different mixer tap easily 😊

should be OK. Have a look underneath, as the pipes project through and there is a big clamping bolt.

It's a rotten job trying to fit new taps to an old basin. It's much easier to fit them before the basin is fitted, so you can turn it upside down on your knee and use both hands, and see what you're doing.

I don't advise the sort with a pop-up waste. They are annoying to adjust, and will leak later. Get a clacker waste, or a plug (which never goes wrong).

@PracticalQuestion I got a nice "Colonial" Bristan shower mixer tap from Screwfix as recommended on here by Piglet John
clicky link
They also do a bath filler if you don't use the shower part.

for which, coincidentally, a replacement diverter appears to be available ex-stock BSM C#Spares for a few pounds

what happened to the link?

try

www.bristan.com/search

colonial bath

then "view spare parts"