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Guide

Shower Door Seal Keeps Falling Off? How to Fix It

By the IDEAL install crew · Frameless glass showers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire since 2014 · Updated

A seal that keeps sliding or dropping off is almost always one of three things: it's made for a different glass thickness, the glass edge was dirty when it went on, or the tape on a stick-on seal has worn out.

The three causes

Wrong glass thickness

Pressure-fit sweeps and seals are made for one thickness: 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" or 1/2". A seal for 1/2" glass on a 3/8" door has nothing to grip and falls off. Measure the bare glass edge (how to measure) and order the seal for that size.

Soap film on the glass edge

Soap and body oils make the edge slick, so even the right seal slides. Wipe the edge with rubbing alcohol and let it dry before you press the seal on.

Worn tape on a stick-on seal

Bulb, fin and "T" seals for the hinge or wall side often mount with tape. Old tape loses its grip in a wet shower. Scrape off the old tape, clean the surface, and use a new pre-taped bulb seal or fresh clear VHB mounting tape.

How to make the new seal stay on

  1. Remove the old seal and any leftover tape (see how to remove an old shower door seal and leftover tape).
  2. Measure the glass thickness.
  3. Clean the edge with rubbing alcohol and let it dry fully.
  4. Pressure fit the seal on, working from one end to the other. For a taped seal, press it firmly along the full length.
  5. Wait about 24 hours before showering so the tape can bond.

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Products in this guide

Shower Door Bottom Sweep: Bottom Wipe with Drip Rail for 3/8" Glass, Clear – CRL P990WS actual photoMost common
CRL P990WS

Bottom Wipe with Drip Rail for 3/8" Glass

3/8" glass · 95" · 3 colors
from $18.90View
Shower Door Bottom Sweep: Bottom Wipe with Drip Rail for 1/2" Glass, Clear – CRL P912WS actual photoMost common
CRL P912WS

Bottom Wipe with Drip Rail for 1/2" Glass

1/2" glass · 95" · 2 colors
from $21.00View
Shower Door Clear Vinyl Bulb Seal, 5/32" to 7/32" Gap (Pre-Taped) – CRL SDTBT2 actual photo
CRL SDTBT2

Clear Vinyl Bulb Seal, 5/32" to 7/32" Gap (Pre-Taped)

95"
$49.90 / 5-pack$9.98 each · sold in packs of 5View
Clear VHB Mounting Tape, 1/4" x 36' – CRL CAT0401436 actual photo
CRL CAT0401436

Clear VHB Mounting Tape, 1/4" x 36'

The tape for stick-on shower seals.
$33.58/rollView

Common questions

Can I glue a shower door sweep on?

No. Glue or silicone makes it impossible to replace cleanly later. The right size sweep stays on by itself.

Why does my sweep slide down when the door opens?

It's usually a seal made for thicker glass, or soap film on the edge.

How long should I wait to shower after installing a taped seal?

About 24 hours.

More guides

Shower door leaking at the bottomWater on the bathroom floor almost always comes from one of four places.Leaking on the hinge side or wallThe hinge side has a gap so the door can swing.Shower door won't stay closedFrameless doors have no latch, so a door that drifts open leaks.Gap between door and wallThe gap is on purpose: a glass door needs room to swing without hitting the wall.