How Do You Replace Rubber Seal Around Shower Glass FI
| |

How Do You Replace Rubber Seal Around Shower Glass

You can replace the seal by pulling off the old seal strip and fixing a new one in its place. No one wants a dirty and damaged rubber seal around their shower glass door. Not that it only looks bad but also it can be dangerous and inconvenient to use a door like that. And, to help you in the process, we’ll walk you through it.

How Do You Replace Rubber Seal Around Shower Glass FI

How Do You Replace Rubber Seal Around Shower Glass

Changing the rubber seal on shower glass is a simple and easy job. You can easily do it by yourself in a really short time. All you need is a few tools and a proper instruction guide.

How Do You Replace Rubber Seal Around Shower Glass

What You Need

The right tools make any works twice much easier. So, get the right tools before getting to the actual work. For this, all you need is new seal strips, a good knife or scissors, and a washcloth. 

There are generally two types of rubber seal strips used for shower glass. One is a bumper seal strip that goes to the sides of the door. And, the other one is drip seal strips that go to the bottom of the glass door. All of these tools and replacement seals don’t cost much so you don’t need to spend much on this project.

What You Need to Replace Rubber Seal Around Shower Glass

Removing The Old Rubber Seal

For replacing the rubber seal first, you have to remove the old seal strip from the glass door. Old seal strips generally become brittle over time and don’t stick to the glass as well as they used to. However, it might still have some mineral adhesives sticking them to the door. 

Just grab onto the strip and pull them away from the door and it will come off easily. In case, the strip doesn’t come off easily like this, stick the tip of a knife under the seal strip and cut through the adhesive. Then use a wet washcloth to wipe off any mineral deposit or adhesive residue of the glass.

If the adhesive can’t be removed just by the water, use a mineral spirit. Spread the spirit over the glue to soften it then scrape it off by using a knife. Then wash away any remaining mineral spirit with water and dry it off with a clean cloth.

Fixing The New Replacement Rubber Seal

After removing the old rubber seal, the next step is fixing a new seal strip at its place. Because shower glasses are mostly custom-made, they all don’t come in the same measurement. So, the seal strips are generally sold individually to fit different sizes. You can cut the strip according to your door measurements.

Now, take some adhesive and spread it over the section of the glass that needs to be sealed. After that, you can install the strip over it. When you are cutting the seal strip, leave it slightly longer than the old one. So that you don’t accidentally cut it shorter. And, you can always cut the excess portion after fixing it in place. 

While installing the seal strip, press it on one end of the glass and push it inward to secure it in place. Then, work your way up to the other end of the glass until the whole section is sealed. Once the seal is placed properly, cut any extra part of the strip that’s sticking out of the door. Then leave it to dry the glue and you are done!

Fixing The New Replacement Rubber Seal

Framed Shower Door Seal Replacement

For framed shower doors the seal used is a bit different than the ones used in simple shower glass. For unframed shower glass the sealing sticks on the edge of the glass. But for framed shower door you have to use a drip rail at the bottom of the door. And, the seal strip goes on the drip rail.

So, when the sealing is old and damaged you can replace just the seal strip without changing the whole drip rail.

Framed Shower Door Seal Replacement

Replace Rubber Piping Around Shower Glass

Rubber piping around the shower glass door serves the purpose of holding the glass with the frame. It seals the glass so the water can’t leak outside of the shower stall. Old and damaged piping should be replaced regularly to prevent leaking. All you need is some new piping replacement, glue, a knife, and a washcloth.

Replace Rubber Piping Around Shower Glass

Detach the Old Piping

First of all, remove the old piping from the glass. Generally, pulling it outwards does the work. But if it doesn’t, insert the tip of a knife into one edge of the piping and work your way around the whole glass until the piping is completely off. Also, scrape any remaining part of the piping with the knife.

Clean and Set for The New

Then clean the place with a washcloth and water. You can also use an adhesive remover to soften the glue for better cleaning. Then, dry it off and put some adhesive on it. Cut the new piping according to the length of the door and gently place it over the adhesive. Then, wipe off any excess glue and wait for it to dry.

How to Replace Silicone Around The Shower Door

Silicone caulk is vastly used around the shower glass door to make the edges waterproof. So that water can’t come through the gapes of the edges. These silicone caulks also wear over time and become brittle. So, it’s better to replace the old caulk after it gets old and loses its effectiveness. 

How to Replace Silicone Around The Shower Door

Scrub the Caulk

The first step is to scrape off the silicone caulk of the door with a knife or blade. Be careful not to scratch or damage the door in the process. Then apply some mineral spirit or denatured alcohol and spread it thoroughly with a sponge. Vinegar can also be used for this purpose. Then scrub off the remaining thoroughly.

Scrub the Caulk

Wash and Apply New Coat

Now wash the place with a washcloth and soap water. Make sure to wash it thoroughly so that no solvents are remaining. Then, wipe it with a clean cloth and let it dry. After drying it fully, apply the new coat of silicone caulk. Spread it properly on the surface so that it’s even. And it’s done.  

Wash and Apply New Coat

How to Replace Framed Shower Door Seal Strip

Changing the seal strip on a framed shower door is slightly different than usual shower glass. There is a drip rail at the bottom of the framed shower door and the seal strip attaches to it. First of all, remove the old seal strip by pulling it outwards from the rail with force. You may use a sharp object to loosen the adhesive.

After removing the seal use some mineral spirit to clean any remaining glue and wash it off thoroughly with water. Then, apply a new layer of adhesive and install the new seal strip. Allow it to dry properly and it’s done.

How to Replace Framed Shower Door Seal Strip

Frequently Asked Question

Q: How long does it take to replace the rubber seal around the shower glass door?

Ans: It shouldn’t take more than half an hour to replace the rubber seal around the shower glass door with the right tools.

Q: Do all the seals fit the shower door drip rails?

Ans: No. Remove your old seal and then look at the pattern of the seal that slides into the door. If no sweep is present then simply look at the groove in the drip rail in which the door seal would slide into.

Conclusion 

Mastering the art of replacing the shower door seals is a critical skill that every homeowner should consider learning. The replacement process is manageable with the right tools, clear guidelines, and a bit of patience. A glass door shower not only improves the aesthetics of your bathroom but also increases the value of your home. However, maintaining its longevity depends on the condition of the shower door bottom seal. This lip or bumper seal plays a crucial role in preventing water leaks, thus keeping your bathroom floor dry and safe.

With the right approach, you can successfully replace the shower door seal, giving your glass panels an extended lifespan while maintaining the elegance of your shower space. You might even find the process easier than fixing a shower head. Remember, the bottom seal is the most prone to wear and tear due to constant exposure to water, hence the need for regular inspections and replacements. Removing the remaining seal strips might seem daunting, but with the correct strategy, you can achieve a clean, smooth finish ready for a new seal.

So, do not let a faulty shower seal disrupt your peaceful, refreshing experience under the shower head. The entire process of replacing the rubber seal around your glass shower is well within your ability. Whether it’s the bottom seal or side seals that need replacement, understanding how to execute the task will ensure you get your shower back to perfect working condition in no time. Practice the steps outlined in this guide, and you’ll be on your way to a leak-proof, well-maintained glass door shower.

If the rubber seal on your shower glass isn’t sealing the water inside the stall anymore, then it’s probably time to replace it with a new one. Besides, a dingy and discolored rubber seal makes your bathroom look dull and dirty even if you install the best light fixture in your bathroom. So, changing the shower door rubber seal once in a few years is highly recommended.

Similar Posts