How To Prevent Frameless Glass Shower Doors From Leaking

A frameless glass shower screen is a modern and elegant choice for upgrading your bathroom. However, the purpose of these sleek designs is not just aesthetic, but also practical: they keep the water contained within the shower area. Therefore you need to ensure that they are correctly installed and deal properly with any leaks.

A leak that is left unattended may result in mould and damp spreading throughout the bathroom. This might cause permanent damage to the floor or walls, and is also a health hazard. It will also spoil the sleek clean aesthetic of your bathroom. Here’s how to keep your new installation watertight, or to correctly repair any leakages that have occurred. 

Ensure that the shower enclosure is properly installed

One of the most common causes of leaking shower screens is incorrect installation. Even a slight misalignment of the glass doors can lead to gapping and leaks. To avoid this, ensure that the glass panels are held in place with high-quality stainless steel U channels or brackets. This will increase stability and also help with water retention.

Check carefully that the glass panels are perfectly aligned, and the shower floor is angled slightly towards the drain. If you are confident in your DIY skills, it’s relatively easy to install a shower screen yourself, but a second pair of eyes and hands is useful to ensure accuracy and safety. 

Less experienced DIYers should consider having the shower cubicle professionally installed to avoid any potential issues and ensure that it functions perfectly and looks great. 

Seal gaps with clear silicone caulk

Fixed glass panels should be sealed with waterproof clear silicone caulk at the seam where the glass meets the walls and floor. This will help to prevent water from escaping. If you already have a leak, identify the source by turning on the water and inspecting the sealed joins.

Once you have located the leak, scrape out the existing caulk and replace it with a new layer, using a caulking gun and masking tape to ensure a neat finish. 

Replace worn out door sweeps

If water is leaking from underneath the glass doors, this is a sign of a broken, misaligned or loose door sweep. This is the clear plastic or rubber strip that is attached to the bottom of the glass door. It is designed to direct water back into the shower and will prevent leaking onto the bathroom floor.

However, if the door sweep is poor quality or it has been incorrectly fitted, it may wear out quickly or malfunction. They can easily be replaced once you have removed the faulty sweep. 

Install door seals 

If water is leaking from between glass doors when they are closed, then it may be that the door seals are missing, worn or faulty. Replace them with high quality durable clear seals that are an appropriate size for the doors. 

Use deflector seals for hinged doors

If water is escaping from the hinges of glass shower doors, then installing a clear vinyl deflector seal along the vertical edge can prevent further leaks. 

Keep your shower drain unobstructed 

A blocked drain can cause water to pool in the shower enclosure and overflow. Always clear hair and soap suds from the drain after every shower and use a plunger to clear any blockages.