I installed an economy shower door from HD for a customer about 6 months ago. They just called to let me know that they have water stains showing up in the room below. I suspected the shower door, so I removed it (frame and all) for a better look.
Sure enough, water was getting under the bottom track, running to the corner and then down the wall. Normally, I just caulk the inside edge of the bottom track so any water that sneaks by will show up on the floor, but here’s what has me ticked: the bottom track on this door can only be caulked on the outside edge! (see attached).
I re-installed the door and used as much caulk as I could squeeze in there, but I’m afraid this door is not going to hold up in the long term.
Oh yeah, and now I’ve got some drywall repair to do on my dime.
I’m open to suggestions if anyone thinks I’ve done something wrong otherwise I’m just ranting and/or giving a heads up.
-Don
Replies
Who selected the brand and model 6 months ago?
no warrenties on HO supplied materials... nothing even implied if it is from a big box...
I you supplied it ... shame on you.. you should know better...
proud member of the FOR/FOS club...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
"If you supplied it ... shame on you.. you should know better..."
I did supply it. The HO instructions were to just pick up an inexpensive one. Yes, I should know better, but how does one learn better? I suppose it's by making that first mistake. I have many firsts to go (and not much time to do it).
-Don
The HO wanted cheap so they got cheap...
They got what they paid for....
next time around....
I'm sorry but I won't - can't - don't install that level of quality...
proud member of the FOR/FOS club...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
I'm missing why this can't be caulked from the inside?
I see two "legs" ...
looks like both would touch the base.
if the outside touches ... why not the inside?
also ... even if the outisde is the only part caulked ....
how is water getting out ... and inside the floor ... and into the drywall down below?
what's this door setting on?
and what's that (the shower) setting on?
I'm picturing a stand-alone shower here ... not a shower/rub combo ...
if the shower door is placed correctly in the shower enclosure ...
I don't see how any water is getting out of the enclosure ....
if it was caulked on the outside ... all that'd do is hold the water in and under the track ... still not getting out .... just hiding there and growing mold.
What am I missing here?
btw .. what brand and model?
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
I was thinking the same thing regarding the caulking.
Although, if he only caulked the outside, AND you drilled holes into the curb(through the membrane) it may be possible for water to leak into the screw holes.
I would silicone it myself, not latex or any water soluble caulk.
Check the joint where the floor meets the curb.
The clients bathing habits may need a little tweeking.
Eric
I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
agreed on the silicone ...
seems 100% clear silicone is just about the best.
the worse it smells ... the better it works.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
I'm also wondering about the shower head placement ...
the door really shouldn't be getting a good soaking each shower.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Thanks for all your replies and suggestions. Just to clarify a little, the shower is quite small (30 x 30) and they have a wide spray shower head which hits the door AND they both work out so they may taking up to 4 showers a day.
Agreed that even water under the track should not be a problem, but I think it was travelling the the end where there was just a grout joint keeping water from getting into the wall. My bad for not caulking the bejeezuz out of that joint the first time around, but as I said I was expecting the inside lip of the bottom track to stop the water.
The shower door was a Keystone. It's probably very similar to Sterling. I don't remember what the installation instructions said (if I even read them), but having installed shower doors before, I would have relied more on my experience than the instructions. I'm not one to implicitly trust instructions, but I should have recognized that I was looking at a shower door different than I was familiar with.
Next time I'll tell the HO, "I'm sorry, but I can't install a shower door of that quality, certainly not without checking with the voice of experience over at the Breaktime Forum"
-Don
Is this a Sterling brand shower door unit? I am installing one now in my basement that I bought at Lowe's. It also specifically says not caulk the inside edge of the shower walls. There was a sticker on the shower wall unit (seperate) that said to put down a bead of caulk along the last 3 inches of each corner on the shower base before installing the shower walls.
Shower base and wall instructions:
http://www.sterlingplumbing.com/onlinecatalog/detail.jsp?item=4195703&prod_num=72040100&frm=null&module=Shower+Modules
See page 11 of the installation instructions.
Shower door instructions:
http://www.sterlingplumbing.com/onlinecatalog/detail.jsp?item=4204303&prod_num=SP2271A-38&frm=null