Shower Door Repair

Shower Door Repair

Depending on what’s wrong with your shower door, you can tighten loose hinges and replace worn seals to prevent leaks or clean debris and soap scum on track to smooth movement. If the door is misaligned, it is fairly simple loosen the screws, reposition the shower door, and retighten. If you can’t DIY a more complicated shower door repair, hire a professional handyman.

Repairing a glass shower door

Even if you are the most careful shower user, your shower door will experience wear and tear. Over time, issues like loose hinges, worn seals, misalignment, and chips or cracks will happen. In this article, we will break down common glass shower door issues, how to fix them, and the cost of fixing them yourself versus hiring a professional.

How to fix a cracked glass shower door

If you have a cracked glass shower door, look closely at the crack. If it's small and not spreading, you can repair it. However, if the crack is large or if you see signs of weakness around it, it's best to replace the door entirely.

For the purpose of this section, let’s focus on repairing a cracked glass shower door without any signs of weakness around the crack.

Step 1: Gather the necessary materials 

You will need a glass repair kit (including epoxy resin and hardener), a glass cleaner, a soft microfiber cloth, protective gear (gloves and goggles), a small brush, and fine-grit sandpaper.

Step 2: Clean the area

Clean the glass shower door with a mixture of three parts distilled water and one part vinegar. Combine both in a spray bottle and spray over the glass. Then, wipe it down with a soft microfiber cloth. 

Use a dry towel to wipe away the remaining moisture and ensure the area is completely dry before moving to the next step.

Step 3: Apply the epoxy

Mix the epoxy resin and hardener according to the instructions on your repair kit. Usually, you will combine equal parts of each in a small container and mix well until you have a uniform consistency.

Next, use a small brush to apply the mixed epoxy directly into the crack. Make sure to fill the crack completely and avoid leaving any air bubbles. If any epoxy spills over the crack, gently wipe it away with a clean cloth before it hardens.

After application, let the epoxy cure. This takes several hours, but it’s best to leave it overnight if possible.

Step 4: Sand the surface

Once the epoxy has cured completely, lightly sand the area with a fine-grit sandpaper. Be very gentle to avoid scratching the surrounding glass.

Step 5: Clean and inspect

After sanding, clean the repaired area with the mixture of vinegar and distilled water in step 2 above to remove dust and debris left from sanding. Finally, wipe it down with a soft cloth and gently press around the crack to ensure the epoxy has set properly.

Repair a glass shower screen

The first step to repairing your glass shower screen is understanding whether it can be repaired or needs replacement. As a rule of thumb, minor chips and cracks can be repaired, while shattered glass or large cracks need replacement.

If it’s a minor chip or crack, use glass cleaner to clean the damaged area thoroughly. Then, apply an epoxy resin and ensure it fills the damaged area completely. Allow the resin to cure as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

How to fix a shower door off its sliding track

• Unscrew the floor guide bracket to maneuver easily.
• Lift and tip the door to align the wheels with the track.
• Guide the wheels back into the track grooves securely.
• Reinstall the floor guide bracket.
• Tighten the wheel bracket screw so the shower door doesn’t come off its track again.
• Slide the door back and forth to test.

Fix a shower door that won’t close

If your shower door doesn’t close because of debris or soap scum, clean the track and edges with a mixture of white vinegar and distilled water in a spray bottle. If it’s due to worn hinges, replace them with new ones. If it’s a misalignment, loosen the screws, reposition the door, and tighten to adjust the hinges.

Frameless shower door repair

A common issue with frameless shower doors is a hinge problem, resulting in slipping doors and leaks. To address this, check the hinge area for gaps and ensure the rubber seals are intact. If not, replace damaged seals. Also, check for misalignment or loose screws. Reposition the door and retighten the hinge screws.

Cost to repair a shower door

The cost of repairing a shower door depends on the solution to fixing the broken shower door. If you are doing it yourself, the only costs you have to consider are the materials needed. However, if you are hiring a professional handyman, you have to factor in the labor cost plus the materials needed.

We have compiled a list of common repairs and DIY versus professional costs in the table below.