When you have a shower door, it’s common to assume everything that’s inside including moisture will stay within the tub.
Unfortunately, this is not always going to be the case and water can start leaking through the framed shower door.
If a framed shower door leaks at the bottom, you will need to figure out what’s going on and fix it as soon as you can.
If a framed shower door leaks at the bottom, this means the seal has broken. To fix the issue, invest in a good-quality silicone caulk, apply it to the outside of the door, and spread it with your fingers for an even finish. Once done, let it dry for 24 hours.
You don’t want a situation where water continues to leak from the bottom of a shower door.
The water damage you are going to have to deal with is going to overwhelm you. It is much better to stay patient and ensure you are not letting water damage get in the way of preserving your bathroom.
This guide will help explain what to do when a framed shower door leaks at the bottom.
Best Caulk For Shower Doors (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
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How To Fix A Framed Shower Door That Leaks At The Bottom
1. Find The Location of the Leak
When there is water leaking from under a shower door, you will need to locate the specific spot where that leak is present.
The idea is to make sure you are pinpointing whether or not there is damage to another part of the frame that needs to be addressed.
Sometimes, you might attempt to paper over the crack and then realize there is a foundational issue with how the door was installed.
This is why you have to make sure everything is okay with the framing and overall installation.
If it is, you can then look to seal the leak at the bottom of the shower door.
2. Apply Silicone Caulk To The Outside Of Frame
The goal is to seal the entire bottom of the shower door.
You are going to do this by investing in high-grade silicone caulk that is water-resistant. By having the right type of silicone caulk, you are going to have an easier time sealing the shower door.
When getting started, you might assume the shower door has to be sealed from both sides.
This is incorrect.
You should only apply silicone caulk to the outside of the shower door frame. The rest of the shower door should be left untouched. This includes the weep holes.
You have to ensure the seal is perfect. This includes using a caulking tool if that works best for your situation.
3. Spread With Your Fingers
When water leaks from the bottom of a shower door, you will know the silicone caulk is important.
However, you also want to ensure it doesn’t start leaking again because you didn’t apply the caulk properly.
This is why using your fingers to spread out the caulk is key. This is especially important for those who don’t use a caulking tool for the task.
If you are using a tool, it will come out evenly.
4. Do Not Apply To The Inside Of Shower Door Frame
This is an important tip that has to be stated separately.
You should never apply caulk to the inside of the shower door frame. Not even a little bit as it is unnecessary and can do more damage than good.
The goal is to only seal the shower door from the outside.
For the inside, just make sure nothing has been damaged due to the water leak. This can include the tiles.
Final Thoughts
These are the details to think about when a framed shower door leaks at the bottom.
If a framed shower door leaks at the bottom, this means the seal has broken. To fix the issue, apply silicone caulk to the outside of the shower door frame. Spread it with your fingers to even out the clumps and don’t apply it to the inside of the shower door. Once done, let it dry for 24 hours.
This will complete the seal and the leak will be a thing of the past.
The one thing you should note is that rushing this process will not work out. You have to be patient and make sure you are applying the silicone caulk the right way.
If not, the water is going to leak again and you are going to be back to square one with more water damage to deal with.
Get it right the first time with the steps listed here.
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