Bathrooms and specifically showers and bathtubs are prone to leaks. Do you have a shower door that leaks or do the corners of the glass enclosure leak every time you take a shower?  If you answered yes, you may have noticed water damage on the sheet rock or baseboards outside the shower.  The problem and solution to shower door leaks may be less complicated than you think.

Dealing with water leaks is a common problem addressed by my handyman business, and often after the homeowner has tried to solve the problem unsuccessfully. Fortunately homeowners use their bathrooms regularly so they spot these problems quickly but have trouble figuring out what part of the shower or tub is leaking.

Common Shower Door Leaks

Almost all showers I’ve inspected, have leaked at the door or metal track that holds the glass.  The leak is not always noticeable but the damage it causes over the years is obvious.  The result is rotted baseboards, water damage to the surrounding drywall, and mold where the shower meets the floor just outside the glass door.

The good news is when you find signs of water damage on the outside the shower door, the problem is almost always the result of an original installation error.  The error is the way the shower door trim was sealed with silicon caulk.  The mistake is compounded over the years by handymen and DIY’ers adding more caulk to the inside of the shower as a repair or during standard home maintenance.  Why? Because the common solution to a leak is to fill the gap where the water is assumed to be leaking but that isn’t always the right solution.

When You Need to Use Less Caulk

The important lesson here is there are times when using caulk, that “less caulk is better”. It is important to thoroughly caulk the outside of the metal shower trim. It is equally important not to caulk over the “weep holes” inside the shower.  These are the little drain holes in the bottom of the metal track inside the shower and on pre-made acrylic shower pans.  These holes allow the condensation and water inside the metal track to drain back into the shower instead of being trapped and eventually finding an alternative escape route.  For the system to drain properly, I also suggest not caulking inside the track at the corners.  The faster the water can flow down the track and out to the shower drain, the quicker the shower will dry. This reduces the chance of mildew and mold growth tremendously.

The type of caulk you use is also key to a long lasting seal.  100% silicone caulk is the only caulk that has stood the test of time during my time running a handyman business. It doesn’t shrink or crack unless it is in direct sunlight, and it stays flexible for a long time.  Acrylic caulk hardens, cracks and is less successful in keeping out mold and mildew.  As a rule of thumb, it’s easier to match clear silicone to the metal trim and plumbing fixtures while white or grout color silicone is easier to match the corners of walls, shelves, and benches inside the shower.

Last but not least, check to see if all the rubber seals are still in place and in good shape around the glass, the sides of the shower door and the sweep at the bottom of the shower door.  Each of these features plays a role in how the water is directed back into the shower, reducing the possibility of the water splashing and getting through any gaps in the door. These items are inexpensive and easily replaced at a glass supply shop.

Chad Walker owns the Texas Shower Company, following in his grandfather’s footsteps. He takes great pride in the work he does, and gives back to his community by donating all reusable building materials to Habitat for Humanity. Visit Chad’s web site at the TexasShowerCompany.

Author: tinagleisner: Tina Gleisner is passionate about helping women home owners LEARN about their homes, CONNECT with home professionals committed to delivering quality home products, and CREATE homes that support their lifestyle. Leveraging her experience as the owner of a handyman business, Tina created the Assn of Women Home Owners at www.HomeTips4Women.com.