![]() Don't want to use a caulk meant for doors and windows. For shower door leaks, you want a caulk that's meant for bathrooms and other “water areas”. Buy caulking for the room or object you're going to caulk.Buying Caulk Is Never Easyīuying caulk is always challenging, so here are some general rules to follow. These seals are inexpensive and easily replaced at a glass supply shop. Each of these features plays a role in how the water is directed back into the shower, reducing the possibility of water splashing and getting through gaps in the door. White or grout colored silicone can be used to match the corners of walls, shelves and benches inside the shower.Ĭheck to see that all rubber seals are in place and in good shape around the glass and the shower door. Avoid acrylic caulk that hardens, cracks and is less successful in keeping out mold and mildew.Īs a rule of thumb, clear silicone works best with metal trim and plumbing fixtures. ![]() It doesn’t shrink or crack unless it is in direct sunlight, and it stays flexible for a long time. 100% silicone caulk is the only caulk that has stood the test of time during my time running a handyman business. The type of caulk you use is also key to a long lasting seal. The faster the water can flow down the track and out to the shower drain, the quicker the shower will dry. So caulking should focus on leaving the weep holes clear, as well as the corners inside the track. If you trap water inside the track, it will then find another escape route … and that's why we have so many shower door leaks. These small drain holes at the bottom of the metal track inside the shower allow condensation and water to drain back into the shower. But you don't want to caulk over the “weep holes” inside the shower. ![]() Yes, you want to thoroughly caulk the outside of the metal shower trim. The lesson here is there are times when “less caulk is better”. It seems logical that to fix a leak you want to close the gaps where water can get out but that isn't always the right solution. The mistake is compounded over the years by handymen and DIY’ers adding more caulk to the inside of the shower, trying to fix the problem. The shower door trim wasn't sealed correctly. When you find water damage outside the shower door, the problem is typically due to an installation error. ![]()
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