Replace shower door seals and sweeps?

There are 2 kinds of shower door seals and sweeps.

First type – snap-on vinyls. They are snapping-on the glass and being held by mare tension of seal itself. Typical snap-on seal is a deflector, which is normally attached to the bottom of any frameless shower door glass.  

Second type of vinyls - is glue-on seal/sweep. The example of the glue-on vinyl is an “L” vinyl which is normally could be found on the vertical edge of glass on frameless shower enclosures.    This type of vinyls are being attached to the glass be special glue - clear acrylic “VHB” double face tape. “Clear” – for it is transparency, “VHB” – for it has hi-strength and water resistance.

http://www.amazon.com/3m-scotch-4905-tape-transparent/dp/b000vqfqpw

How to replace snap-on seal and sweep?

1.       Determine what kind of snap-on seal or sweep you need. If it is on the bottom of the door, it could be deflector. If it was attached to the vertical edge of the glass – it could be “h” vinyl. Look at section of the vinyl, they are often called by the shape they have. “H” will look like upper or lower letter “H”/“h”.

 The thickness of the glass, which the sweep or seal was attached to, also very important. Using tape measure or caliper measure for thickness of the glass. The most common glass will have 1/4” or 3/8” or 1/2” thick glass or its metric conversions.

2.       Obtain the required sweep or seal. The sources could be different. Some from internet, some from home depot and alike. But if I was you I would go for local shower door companies. Look in yellow pages or Google for it.  With local shower Door Company you have better chances to get exactly what you need or it proper alternative.  Also – chances are you may get it for free. And don’t forget they the right people to ask an advice, if you have any questions.

3.       Clean the surface and edge of the glass using rubbing alcohol or water stain remover, if needed.

4.       Measure the sweep/seal to the desired size and cut using hacksaw or knife (depends on type). Using same tool make necessary notches, if needed. Refer to the old sweep/seal for sizes and shapes of the notches.

5.       Snap sweep on the glass.  

6.       Close and open the door few times to make sure that it operates as desired.

How to replace glue-on seal and sweep?

1.       Determine what kind of glue-on seal or sweep you need. Look at the shape of the sweep/seal. They often call by the shape they resemble – “L” vinyl, “T”, “V” or “Bubble” vinyl.  

2.       Obtain the required sweep or seal. Obtain required Clear Acrylic VHB Double Faced Tape. Sources can be different. I would advise to find a local shower door company and give them a call.

3.       Measure and cut the vinyl to a required size.

4.       Clean the vinyl with rubbing alcohol. Wipe the remains of alcohol dry with towel.

5.       Apply double face tape to vinyl’s base.

6.       Clean the edge of glass with rubbing alcohol. Wipe the remains of the liquid dry with paper towel.

7.       Remove protective film from the VHB tape and attach it to the desired location.

8.       Press firmly to provide strong bond along the entire length of the sweep/seal.

9.       It is not recommended removing and re-attaching vinyl with the same VHB tape. If attached at wrong place, remove the vinyl; remove VHB tape clean form the vinyl and the glass and repeat steps 4,5,6,7, 8.

10.   Open and close the door few times to make sure it operates as desired.

11.   Avoid using the shower for 36-72 hours for VHB glue to cure.