If you want a quick overview on replacing the shower door seal, this guide will take your through it!
We'll go over…
- Removing the existing seal
- Identifying the type and size
- Cleaning the glass
- Re-installing a new bottom seal
Shower door seals are usually an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ type of thing.
But leaking water is always a battle with shower doors, and a leaking door can cause drywall damage or even mold growth.
Keep reading to learn the 7 steps to replacing your vinyl shower door seal!
Step 1. Identify Size And Type
Before you even remove the old bottom seal, it’s a good idea to try to identify the exact type you need to buy.
The two most important things to know about your shower seal is the thickness of your shower door (1/2-inch, 1/4-inch, or 3/8-inch) as well as the type of bottom seal. The standard length is around 40-inches and you will need to cut it to fit. I invite you to also check out all our guides on shower doors here.
Vinyl ‘Slide On’ Types
Probably the most common type of bottom seal for shower doors is the ‘slide on’ type made out of clear vinyl. The bottom seal is simply inserted into the glass shower door, and it usually has a ‘drip edge’ that is facing the shower.
The common sizes for this type of bottom seal is 1/2-inch, 1/4-inch, and 3/8-inch which corresponds to the thickness of your shower door. The length is usually over 3-feet which you cut to the right length.
Read Also >> How To Clean Glass Shower Doors?
Metal Bracket Rubber Type
Your shower door seal strip may be secured by a metal bracket, and you will need to remove a few screws to get to the rubber seal.
The black rubber seal is sandwiched between the brackets, and you will have to re-fasten the screws to secure it into place.
T Style
The ‘T style’ bottom seal is also made out of clear vinyl, but it has a T-shaped top that fits into a groove on the bottom of the shower door. If your shower door has a metal bracket on the bottom, it may be this type of seal that will fit.
Read Also >> How To Measure Shower Door Sizes?
Step 2. Remove Old Seal
The second step is to remove your old shower seal.
If you have a ‘slide on’ type of vinyl seal, you will simply need to pull down on the seal to remove it. You may need to use some force, or whack it with a tool, if it is stuck on.
For the other types of shower bottom seals, you will first need to remove any screws that are holding the seal to the bracket. Remove the screws, and then pull out the rubber seal.
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Step 3. Clean The Glass
Before you install the bottom seal, you will need to thoroughly clean the glass of gunk and debris so it makes a good seal.
Use rubbing alcohol or a household cleaner to clean the glass. You may also want to use a scraping tool or utility knife to remove any debris.
Step 4. Measure & Cut Seal
The next step is to measure and cut the bottom seal to the right length.
It may be a good idea to actually put the seal on the shower door, and then mark where you want to cut it. If you have a softer vinyl seal, you may be able to just cut it with a large pair of scissors. If you have a harder bottom seal, you may need to use a handheld hack saw to cut it.
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Step 5. Clean Cut End Of Seal
After you have cut the seal, you will need to clean up the cut before you insert the seal onto the door.
The easiest way is to use a basic utility knife to scrape off any of the rough vinyl or rubber — making it as smooth as possible.
If you don’t have a utility knife, you can also use a sharp steak knife in a pinch but be careful not to cut yourself.
Step 6. Insert Onto Door
Once the cut has been cleaned, you can reinsert the shower door seal.
For vinyl seals, I would put just the end onto the door, and then use a rubber mallet (or something heavy) to tap the seal into the door from the side. For rubber seals, you will have to reinsert it with the metal bracket, and fasten the screws to secure it.
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Step 7. Close Shower Door To Test Fit
The last step is to close and open the shower door to make sure that the bottom seal fits correctly. If you cut it too short or too long, now is the time to test it.
If the door is opening and closing correctly, it’s also a good idea to point the shower head at the closed shower door to see if there are any leaks.