Glass shower doors have been a staple in many bathrooms and can be a stylish element in your decor. However, they are only beautiful and valuable for as long as they do their job: keeping the water firmly inside the shower. Once you find a puddle of water outside your shower, you know something is wrong, especially as the consequences can be far more than just a nuisance.
Leaking water can cause mould and mildew and lead to health problems. It can cause damage to your flooring and walls and pose a safety risk because you could slip and fall due to the water.
This blog will look at what can cause a leak and how to stop water from leaking from your shower door.
What are the Causes of Shower Door Leaking?
There are many different causes for a shower door to start leaking. It can depend on the type of shower door, if it is framed or frameless, sliding or hinged, and the shower base, which could be tiled or precast. And to understand these causes, we should have a look at what can influence these causes to begin with.
While the causes below are most common in old shower doors, newer models can have the same problems.
Improperly installed shower door
An improperly installed shower door is a common cause of water leaking into your bathroom. If the door is not aligned correctly, it can leave gaps at the bottom or along the sides to allow water to leak out. So, learn How to install glass shower doors? or contact professional glass installers.
Broken or missing caulking
During the installation, shower doors are sealed around the edges with silicone caulking, making them water and leak-proof. If the caulking is missing or cracked, it can lead to water leaks.
Lack of incline of the shower
While it usually is shallow enough not to notice it when you step into the shower, the floor should be slightly inclined from the outside toward the drain. This enables the water to flow easily toward the drain instead of remaining in the shower or moving toward your door. If your shower lacks this inclination, the water can quickly build up against the door and start to leak.
How to Locate a Shower Door Leak?
One of the biggest challenges of a leaking shower door is locating where the leak is. The easiest way to find out is to start the water and then examine the door from the outside to see where the water is leaking from. It is possible that there is more than just one location where the water comes from. Common locations are the hinges and seals, where the door meets the wall and the bottom of the door.
Depending on the severity of the leakage, you might want to consider hiring professionals. While there are home remedies you can apply, you want to make sure that any leaks are taken care of properly to avoid any wet surprises in the future. So, you must keep it clean too for that you need to know best ways to clean glass shower doors.
How to Stop Water Leaking from Shower Door?
Generally, there are three kinds of shower doors, each with its potential for problems and ways to fix a shower door leak. There are fixed-frame, frameless and sliding shower doors.
Caulking
One factor that is the same, no matter which kind of door you have, is the caulking. If you see that it is missing or cracked, you can remove the old seal with sandpaper, or if it is stuck, very carefully use a razor blade to remove the old seal. Then you apply a new coat per the manufacturer’s instructions and let it dry.
Fixed-frame Shower Doors
Now, if you notice that water is leaking at the bottom of your shower door, it could be that the frame has come loose, cracked, or warped. Sometimes it is enough to tighten the screws to ensure the frame fits tightly to the floor. If the frame is warped or even cracked, you should contact a professional, as the whole frame will have to be replaced.
It could also be the sweep at the bottom of the door, which may have come loose or is cracked, which then has to be exchanged with a new one.
Frameless Shower Doors
Frameless shower door leaks can be more tricky. Often it is the gasket that needs to be fixed or replaced. You can remove the old one with a razor blade and put in the new gasket with a strong adhesive or sealant. Then apply a fresh coat of caulking to take care of any possible holes or cracks, and you’re good to go. However, its better to call experts for frameless shower doors.
Sliding Shower Doors
If you have a sliding shower door, there are two main reasons for a leaking shower door. One is missing or cracked caulking that has to be replaced. So you will need help of sliding shower door replacement experts for it. The other is that the track on top of the door could have become loose, causing the door not to be perfectly aligned anymore. In this case, you must carefully remove the door and frame to install a new track.
Insufficient Shower Curb
If the shower curb is off and the slope is not large enough to direct the water toward the drain, you will have to hire a professional to fix it.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several causes for shower door leaks, some of which you can quickly fix yourself. Glass Ninja is your choice for any glass shower door and enclosure with custom glass and installations. Our expert team of project managers and installers is ready to help you with your next glass or mirror project, whether big or small, simple or complicated. We’re here for you.
Call us today at 1-833-605-3097 to find out how we can help you with any glass shower door needs.
FAQ
It is often missing or broken caulking or other seals that cause shower door leaks. Other common causes can be the improper installation of the door, a lack of curb to your shower or a warped or broken frame.
Often it is a problem with the gasket or sweep that causes a leak, which must be removed to ensure a complete seal and prevent leaks.
There are several reasons for a shower door to leak from the bottom. It could be a broken or misaligned sweep, a loose or broken frame or old or missing caulking that does not seal the door anymore.
