Introduction
Do you have a shower screen that leaks at the hinge? If so, you’re not alone. This is a common problem and one that can be fixed relatively easily. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to stop shower screen leaking at the hinge, so you can enjoy a peaceful, leak-free shower. Read on for our step-by-step guide.
It is important to fix leaks
A leak in your bathroom isn’t just an annoyance which causes wet floors; you could be storing up big problems for later, as water damage can remain hidden for a long time, and suddenly, you have a big and possibly expensive issue to deal with. Water will find its way through any small gap that it can find and incorrectly installed, or insufficient waterproofing is often the root cause.
What to do if your shower screen is leaking
If your shower screen is leaking, the first thing you should do is identify the source of the leak. Once you’ve identified where the water is escaping from, it’s time to take action. There is no single place to check, as each different shower setup will cause water to hit a different place. High-power shower heads, which can be held in hand, will lead to water finding different openings than a rainfall shower head which provides a lot of water straight down.
How to identify the source of the water leak
There are a number of ways that water can escape, and given a chance, it will. It’s important to identify the source of the leak so you can take appropriate action. The following is a list of the most common reasons and places to check.
Incorrect silicone sealing of shower screen
The sealant should only be applied to the outside edge of the shower screen. The panel is designed for water to escape back into the tray. If there is sealant on the inner edge of the shower panel, it will trap the water in the gap and this water will find any way out it can, often resulting in a leak, or worse, it can lead to hidden damage in the wall if water escapes via the drill holes holding the shower enclosure up.
If you have sealant on the inner edge of the shower panel, then you need to remove it. You should use a sharp tool to scrape the silicone off and run the blade between the wall tiles and the shower panel to make sure the seal is broken.
Blocked drainage holes
The metal frame of your shower screen or shower enclosures might have drainage holes. These holes allow any water that seeps through the seal of the shower panel to escape. If these are clogged with sealant, gunk or limescale, then water cannot escape and will find another way out, potentially leading to a leak. To unblock them, an easy fix is to use a pipe cleaner or other thin tool to push through and clear away any debris from the clogged drains. If they’re blocked with sealant, you might need to use a small screwdriver to clear them.
Incorrect sealing of the shower screen to the shower tray
Sometimes, the water can escape from the gap between the shower screen panel and the shower tray. This is usually due to incorrect sealing of either the corner pieces or door seals. To fix this, you need to reseal them using silicone sealant.
Leaking frameless shower doors
If you find that your frameless shower door is leaking on both sides, you will need to seal the gap between the frameless shower door and the adjacent glass wall. By investing in a frameless shower door side seal, you can solve this leakage issue quickly and easily.
Failed or deteriorated tile grout joints
Tile grout is designed to seal the edges of the tiles and prevent water from seeping through. Over time, however, it can deteriorate and become loose. This will allow water to escape and cause a leak. To fix this, you need to re-grout the area with new tile grout. Removing grout is one of the best uses for an oscillating multi tool. If your grout just needs a refresh we have the best grout cleaning products
Failed or deteriorated silicone sealant
Silicone sealant can deteriorate due to age, exposure to water and other environmental factors. In this case, you will need to remove the old sealant and replace it with a fresh layer. Again, a multi tool is very effective at shifting old silicone sealant.
Broken or improperly installed shower door sweeps
Shower door sweeps are designed to create a seal between the bottom of the shower door and the shower tray. If these are incorrectly installed or have become worn or broken, they will allow water to escape. To fix this, you should replace them with new sweeps.
Broken or improperly installed shower door seals
Shower door seals are designed to create a seal between the sides of the shower door and where the door meets the shower enclosure. If these are not properly fitted, or have become worn or broken, they will allow water to escape. To fix this, you should replace them with new seals.
Broken or improperly installed bath shower screen seals
Bath shower screens are used to keep the water inside your over-bath screen. If the seals around the bath shower screen have become worn or broken, then they will need to be replaced so that water cannot escape. A common source of a leak is the gap between the bath screen seal and the wall.
Unslanted shower curbs
The edge of your shower tray should be slanted ever so slightly so that any water will run towards the drain. If it is not slanted correctly, then the water will sit and eventually escape via a gap in the seal of the shower panel or door. To fix this, you need to adjust the slope of the shower tray edge by adding extra material on one side. This can be done with a few tiles or a piece of timber.
Once you have identified and fixed the cause of the shower screen leaking, it is important to make sure that all seals are properly fitted and in good condition. Doing this will help keep your bathroom dry and free from leaks for many years to come.
