Replacing Shower Seals
Do-It-Yourself!
Glass showers are becoming increasingly popular in modern bathrooms, but they do require regular care to keep them looking their best for as long as possible.
Even with careful cleaning and maintenance, limescale and soap residue can build up over time. Combined with other factors, such as exposure to UV light, these deposits can cause shower seals to become brittle, discoloured or damaged, eventually preventing them from sealing effectively.
Using the wrong cleaning products can also damage your shower seals. Harsh or chlorine-based cleaners, abrasive products and solvents can attack the material and shorten the lifespan of the seals.
Which Shower Seal Do I Need?
Shower seals are divided into two main types based on where they are fitted - horizontal and vertical seals:
Horizontal shower seals are fitted along the bottom edge of glass shower doors and help prevent water from escaping the enclosure.
They are also commonly known as sweep seals, as the flexible sealing fin sweeps along the shower floor or tray when the door is opened and closed.
For curved shower enclosures, specially designed pre-curved seals are available.
Seals designed for glass thicknesses of 6 mm or more cannot be bent into the required shape by hand, so it's important to choose a seal with the correct curvature.
Vertical shower seals are fitted along the sides of glass shower doors, either between two glass panels or where the door meets the wall. They are also commonly known as side seals, centre seals or wall seals, depending on where they are fitted.
Shower doors need a small gap to open and close smoothly, but these gaps can allow water to escape. Vertical seals help close these gaps, keeping water inside the shower enclosure.
Depending on the design, these seals feature either a slightly curved, flexible sealing fin that presses against the adjacent glass panel or a hollow, flexible section that compresses when the door is closed to create an effective watertight seal.
Another type of shower seal is the door stop seal, also known as a strike seal, which acts as a stop for the shower door when it closes. For example, a corner door stop seal is used where the shower door meets a fixed glass panel at a right angle.
Magnetic shower door seals feature built-in magnetic strips that hold the shower doors securely closed. They are usually sold in pairs, with opposing magnetic polarities to ensure the strips attract each other.
Magnetic seals are available in different configurations, typically 90°, 135° and 180°, depending on the angle at which the shower doors or glass panels meet. They provide a secure and reliable closure, although they are generally more expensive than standard centre seals or door stop seals.
How Do I Replace My Shower Seal?
Replacing a shower seal is usually quick and straightforward. Most seals simply clip onto the edge of the glass and can be carefully pulled off by hand.
Once you've removed the old seal, cut the new one to the required length using a fine-toothed saw, mitre shears or a sharp utility knife, depending on the type of seal.
Before fitting the replacement, thoroughly clean the glass edge to remove any dirt, limescale or residue. Ideally, use a cleaning product suitable for glass shower enclosures.
Once the glass is clean and dry, carefully push the new seal onto the glass edge. If it's difficult to fit, lightly dampening the glass with a little clean, preferably softened or demineralised water can help. Avoid using hard water, as it may leave limescale deposits.
What Else Should You Keep in Mind?
Our shower seals are made from high-quality PVC and are designed to fit most standard frameless glass shower enclosures with glass thicknesses of 4–5 mm or 6–8 mm, making them suitable for a wide range of shower doors and enclosures.
You can easily find the right shower seal for your enclosure using our profile configurator.
You can measure the thickness of your shower glass using a pair of callipers for the most accurate result. If you don't have any to hand, a standard tape measure can also be used to estimate the thickness.
If you are unsure whether one of our solutions is right for your shower enclosure, please do not hesitate to get in touch by telephone or email. We are always happy to help!
The team at showersealshop.co.uk