Q: What should happen when the control valve is fully closed?
A: When the center control valve (the diverter) is turned fully to the closed position, water flow should stop to both the rim and the spray nozzle. You may see a brief trickle as pressure bleeds off, but it should stop completely within seconds. Continuous dripping from the rim means the internal diverter is not sealing fully.
Q: Is it normal for water to drip from the rim into the overflow hole?
A: No. When the diverter leaks internally, a small stream of water continues through the rim wash passages. That water runs down into the overflow channel and into the drain. While this prevents overflow onto the floor, it’s still considered a leak. The diverter valve likely needs cleaning or replacement of the internal rubber seats and washers.
Q: Should the center control valve be used to shut water off completely?
A: Not usually. The hot and cold handles are your primary controls for adjusting the water flow. The center control (diverter) is designed to balance the flow between the spray nozzle and rim wash, rather than acting as a total shut-off. Constantly closing it fully can wear the internal seals faster, leading to the leak you’re seeing.
Q: Where does water that enters the overflow go?
A: The overflow passage is connected directly to the drain line. Its purpose is to safely divert any excess water from the bowl rim or spray overflow into the drain system. So yes — if water drips into the overflow, it goes down the same pipe as wastewater, not onto your floor.
Q: How can I fix the leak?
A: The best fix is to rebuild or replace the diverter valve assembly. Many American Standard replacement kits include new rubber washers and seals. Shut off the water, remove the diverter stem, clean mineral buildup, and install the new parts. If your fixture is decades old, replacement may be more cost-effective than repair.
Q: Is this a safety issue?
A: No immediate danger exists, but continuous dripping wastes water and can cause calcium buildup or staining in the overflow area. It’s worth repairing to keep your bidet running efficiently and leak-free.
For more bidet maintenance tips and DIY plumbing guides, visit Plumbing 101.
I’m Chris Mayer, writing for Plumbing 101.
