- The shower-door sweep is the rubber strip that goes across the bottom of the shower door. It prevents any water from leaking out from under the door onto the bathroom floor. When damaged, the water can leak out and cause damage to the floor, resulting in a very expensive repair. It is much more cost effective to repair or replace the sweep as soon as you see a leak and determine the sweep is the problem.
-
The most common cause for a shower-door sweep to become damaged is plain old age. As the rubber is subjected to water, soap and chemicals from cleaning, it breaks down. It starts to rot and little pieces break off causing water to be able to get underneath and out onto the floor. Another problem with the sweeps is not adjusting them right when the door is installed or when the sweep is replaced. If it is just a little too long it will rub against the shower wall as it's moved back and forth and eventually tear.
Mold and mildew can be another cause of a breakdown in the rubber, thus causing it to rot. Lastly, if a shower has not been used for a long time, the rubber can develop dry rot and crumble. A damaged shower door sweep is not hard to replace. Most homeowners can do it themselves and it's not very expensive. - You can purchase a shower-door sweep at any home improvement or hardware store. Take the door off the track and lay it on the floor. Clean and dry the track the best you can. Cut the new sweep with scissors to the same length as the old one by using the old one as a guide. Slide the new sweep in the track. If it doesn't slide in easily you can use a small amount of lubricant in the track. If the sweep is a screw on type, just screw it on using the old sweep as a guide to the length. If it is too short or too long, loosen the screws and adjust it until it fits right. This make take a few tries, but getting it right can save you time and money later on.
