How Long Do Shower Door Seals Last?
There is no single number: a shower door seal's life depends mostly on how much the shower is used and how hard the water is where you live.
What wears seals out
- Usage. A shower used several times a day wears its seals out far sooner than a guest bath used once a week. Every swing of the door flexes the fins, and every shower soaks them.
- Hard water. Minerals in hard water build up on the seals, stiffen the soft fins and leave white crust that keeps them from sealing. The harder your water, the sooner they go.
- Cleaning products. Harsh or abrasive cleaners and bleach break down vinyl faster. Mild soap and water is all seals need.
Signs it's time to replace them
- Water on the floor that wasn't there before
- Fins that are stiff, curled, cracked or torn
- Yellowing, or black mildew that won't clean off
- A seal that slides or falls off the glass
How to make them last
Squeegee the glass and seals after showering, keep the bathroom ventilated so they dry, and clean them with mild soap instead of harsh chemicals. In hard-water areas, remove mineral buildup on the glass with CRL WSR1 before it builds up on the seals.
Ready to replace? Start with the Seal Finder or measure your glass.
Products in this guide
Common questions
How often should shower door seals be replaced?
It depends on how often the shower is used and how hard your water is. Replace them when they leak, stiffen, crack, yellow or won't stay on the glass.
Does hard water affect shower door seals?
Yes. Minerals build up on the seals, stiffen the soft fins and keep them from sealing, so seals in hard-water areas wear out sooner.
Can I clean a moldy shower door seal instead of replacing it?
Surface mildew often cleans off with mild soap and water. If black spots remain inside the vinyl, replacing the seal is the only real fix.