Normal use will cause wear and tear on your glass shower door. The shower door malfunctions at some point. It either won’t close smoothly or you have to shove it open like a 50-ton slab of rock.
Some of the causes of a stuck or malfunctioning shower door are simple, and you can fix some of them yourself. Others benefit from professional attention, and one, in particular, is in desperate need of it. The good news is that whatever the cause, it can be quickly resolved.
Why is your shower door not staying closed?
Here’s a rundown of all the reasons why your shower door won’t stay shut.
- Loose screws in the hinges, latches or handles Dirt
- accumulation in the hinges Dirt
- accumulation where the doors meet each other on the wall Dirt,
- misalignment, or poorly adjusted clamp in a sliding shower
- Damage or demagnetization of the magnetic strip that holds the doors together
Don’t worry; there is a solution and a fix for every problem. We will make every effort to explain each problem and solution separately. Let’s look at how to repair a shower door that won’t close.
How Much Does a Shower Door Repair Cost?
“Why should I fix my shower door on my own?” you must be wondering. To answer this, you’ll need to know how much money you can save by doing it yourself.
Let’s see how much it costs to repair a shower door that doesn’t close completely.
To begin with, you can save money by not hiring a repairman to inspect your shower door. Simply calling someone to assess the problem can cost several hundred dollars.
Once the issue has been identified, the technician will provide you with a repair estimate, which can range between $200 and $600.
You now have an idea of how much it can cost to have your door repaired and how much money you can save by doing it yourself. In the meantime, aside from a full door replacement, the methods listed below will cost you no more than $10 to resolve the issue. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Repairing Sliding Doors That Won’t Close
If your bathroom has a sliding door that won’t close all the way, there are some DIY fixes you can try.
Let’s take a look at the steps you should take to avoid being blasted by cold air in your shower ever again.
Keeping the Door Tracks Clean
As with any sliding door, the tracks accumulate a lot of dirt and dust, preventing the door from opening and closing properly.
All you need is white vinegar to solve this problem. Pour the vinegar into the tracks and allow it to sit for up to ten minutes.
If you notice that the vinegar drains faster than usual, block the door’s weeping holes, which are designed to allow water to escape from the tracks.
After soaking the entire track in vinegar, move the door back and forth a few times before rinsing it with water. This should wash away all of the dirt.
Clean the Door Tracks
If the white vinegar and rinsing method did not resolve your issue, it is time to move on to plan B. Another mineral-infused lubricant solution can be used for this.
Coat the entire track with this solution, then scrub the entire area with a stiff brush to remove all of the grime.
If the dirt deposit is too stubborn to be removed with a brush, you can use something with a rigid edge to remove the dirt.
Use a screwdriver or something sharp to avoid scratching the surface of your shower door.
Debris Removal from Door Tracks
Before you do anything else, remove all of the visible debris from the tracks with tweezers, chopsticks, or toothpicks.
Even if you are unable to properly remove the debris, you will be able to loosen it. It can be removed by scrubbing with white vinegar.
Check the Door Rollers
Sliding doors would be meaningless without their rollers or wheels, which ensure that your shower door opens and closes smoothly.
You can inspect them to see if they’re rolling properly or if they get stuck after a short movement.
If you have to exert more effort to close the door completely, this could indicate that the rollers are stuck. Remove the shower door from the tracks and use vinegar or the aforementioned solution to clean the rollers.
It’s also a good time to check to see if the wheels are turning. If they are free but do not roll, the door is not level and is therefore not dirty. The spindle on the roller frequently rusts, preventing the roller from spinning.
Clean the rollers as well to remove all dirt and rust.
Adjust the Door’s Position
If the door does not perform any better, you can remove it from its tracks and inspect it for any visible obstructions or obstacles.
When you replace the shower door and slide it open and closed, it should be able to close properly.
Adjust Rollers
If your sliding door isn’t closing completely, it’s likely that the door roller isn’t properly aligned. You must adjust its level.
This can be accomplished by adjusting the door rollers. These are the ones that adjust the height of the shower door. When the door reaches the proper level, it will begin to open and close properly.
How to Repair a Swinging Shower Door That Won’t Close Properly
If you have a swinging shower door in your bathroom, it will eventually wear out. Here are some steps you can take to resolve the issue on your own.
Tighten the Screws
The shower door is attached to the wall by a frame. Examine the screws, and if any are loose, use a screwdriver to tighten them.
If the screws don’t tighten properly, you should remove them and drive longer screws into the frame that’s attached to the wall (just make sure there’s nothing behind the wall first). If that doesn’t work, remove the framing, drill new holes in the wall, and reattach it.
Use New Adhesive
If your shower door is held in place with adhesive, it may have become weaker over time, causing the door to become unbalanced.
You can pry the glue and sealant away with a knife or a screwdriver. Then, using rubbing alcohol, remove all traces of the glue. However, if you have a fiberglass tub, exercise caution as this can cause damage to the tub.
After removing the glue, reattach the frame with new adhesive, using a level to ensure the door is plumb. Then, using a sealant, seal all the edges properly.
If the shower door is unbalanced or leaning to one side, this should help. It should also allow the door to close properly, hopefully.
Clean the Hinges
Soap buildup frequently causes the door hinges to become dirty. This causes it to make an unusual sound when moving. It can also keep it from closing completely.
DIY Glass Shower door repairs
If your glass shower door sticks
A loose screw or soap scum buildup could be causing your shower door to stick.
To begin repairing it, check to see if any of the screws on the hinges need to be tightened. With a screwdriver, you can easily tighten those and your door will be back to normal.
If that isn’t the case, it could be due to buildup. In that case, you should conduct a thorough cleaning:
Begin by spraying a homemade solution of lemon water or vinegar and dish detergent on your glass shower door. Then, clean it up.
After that, clean your shower with a Magic Eraser sponge.
Finally, scrub the entire shower and reach for troublesome areas with a toothbrush or paint scraper.
If your shower door will not close,
Another possibility is that the screws are loose in this case. Check for loose screws on all hinges, handles, and latches. If you find any, use a screwdriver to tighten them.
If that doesn’t work, try scrubbing or brushing the hinge area with vinegar.
Is it possible to cut a glass shower door?
There is a workaround you can try if your glass shower door has a crack or hole in it. It entails removing the cracked section of the glass door.
So, yes, you can cut a glass shower door, whether you need to replace the entire thing or just a portion of it.
However, if you have no experience working with glass, I would advise you not to do it yourself. You’ll risk injuring yourself, and this isn’t ordinary glass. Shower doors are frequently made of tempered glass, which is not suitable for do-it-yourselfers because it necessitates the use of specialized tools.
Cases that require the assistance of a professional
If your shower door is dragging
You may notice dragging if you have a sliding shower door. If your shower door drags, it most likely needs to be realigned and the clamps adjusted. This could be caused by a buildup of water or debris.
While you could do it yourself, it does require taking the shower door out of the track, so we recommend hiring a professional.
If you have scratches on your shower door
Scratches are actually simple to repair, but you will need the assistance of a professional. A glass repair technician will buff out the scratch or fill in the defects if you hire them..
If your glass shower door begins to leak
If your shower door leaks, the problem is usually with the seals around the edges. You should have a repair technician look them over.
It doesn’t have to be difficult to repair your glass shower door. There is usually a simple solution. Check for any loose screws and clean your shower door.
If that doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to hire a professional. Most repair technicians are reasonably priced and can easily resolve any problems that arise from normal wear and tear. Now that you understand the most common repairs and who can perform them, you’re well on your way to lowering the likelihood of future costly repairs.
Shower Door Safety Tips
Let us now discuss some shower door safety precautions. Working shower doors entails a number of responsibilities. Here are some precautions to take to avoid problems such as the shower door not closing.
- Please do not slam the shower door.
- As part of your regular cleaning routine, spray the hinges and railings with WD-40.
- Tell the kids to follow the instructions as well, and to be cautious with the shower door.
- After taking a bath, clean the shower.
Conclusion
It’s never a good feeling to feel the cold air on your body while taking a hot shower. This is why your shower door must close completely.
In fact, you require privacy when showering as well! So no looking!
There are a few minor issues that keep it slightly open. They are not worthwhile to spend hundreds of dollars on.
Furthermore, you can easily repair the shower door on your own, and most of the time, you will have it working properly in no time.
I hope this article has taught you how to repair your shower door on your own.
