Question: Why is water escaping from the shower screen onto the bathroom floor?
Answer: A shower screen leaks most often because the silicone seal has failed, the glass or frame is out of alignment, the bottom track is blocked, the rubber sweep seal is worn, or the screen was installed without enough fall toward the floor trap. Resealing is usually enough; persistent leaks may need realignment, track repair or waterproofing inspection.
This is about shower screen water leaks, not a general leaking bathroom where water comes through the ceiling below. If the unit downstairs is wet, treat it as a slab or membrane problem first.
Common Causes
| Cause | What you see | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Old/mouldy silicone | Water seeps along the wall or floor joint | Remove and re-silicone |
| Worn bottom seal | Water runs under the door | Replace sweep seal |
| Blocked track drain | Water spills over the track | Clean track and drainage holes |
| Misaligned door/panel | Gap opens when the door closes | Adjust rollers/hinges |
| No fall to trap | Water pools instead of draining | Correct floor/tile fall |
| Failed waterproofing | Water reaches ceiling below | Waterproofing inspection |
Silicone Failure
Silicone around a shower screen flexes daily as the bathroom heats and cools. After years it can peel, crack or grow black mould. A poor seal lets water follow the glass edge into the wall–floor joint. A proper reseal means cutting out old silicone, cleaning mould, drying the joint, then applying a bathroom-grade neutral-cure silicone.
Bottom Seals and Tracks
Framed sliding screens use a bottom track and weep holes. Soap scum and hair can block those holes, so the track fills and spills. Frameless hinged screens rely on a rubber or vinyl sweep seal under the door; when it hardens or tears, water runs underneath.
Alignment and Installation
A door that has dropped can leave a gap at the bottom. Hinged screens may need hinge adjustment; sliding screens may need roller adjustment. If the screen was installed too close to a flat floor area with no fall, water will escape even with a good seal.
Could It Be a Waterproofing Problem?
Water on the bathroom floor during a shower is usually a screen issue. Water on the ceiling below is different — it may mean a cracked membrane, failed grout, leaking pipe or slab crack. Read balcony leak in a condo and concrete slab crack leak if water travels to a lower floor.
What Professional Repair Involves
- Identify the exact escape path while water is running.
- Clean the glass, frame, track and weep holes.
- Replace damaged sweep seals or gaskets.
- Adjust hinges or rollers so the door closes square.
- Remove old silicone and reseal joints correctly.
- Test by running the shower for several minutes.
KL Servis Rumah publishes glass and aluminium fabrication from RM 320, frameless shower screen installation and window and glass seal replacement. The problem price range is RM 180 to RM 850+ depending on screen size and whether realignment or parts are needed. If waterproofing is involved, waterproofing and leak repair starts at RM 300.
When to Call
Call when:
- Water continues after re-silicone.
- The door has dropped or will not close.
- The track is cracked or corroded.
- Mould returns quickly.
- The ceiling below shows stains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just apply new silicone over old silicone?
Not for a lasting repair. Old silicone must be cut out and the joint cleaned and dried; new silicone will not adhere well to contaminated old sealant.
How long should shower silicone last?
A good bathroom silicone application typically lasts several years, but harsh cleaners, mould and movement can shorten its life.
Is a leaking shower screen always a screen problem?
No. If water appears below the bathroom, the waterproof membrane, grout or pipes may be involved and should be inspected.
Stop the Leak Before It Damages Tiles
A small shower screen leak can become a mould or waterproofing problem if left. KL Servis Rumah repairs shower screens, seals and related glass work across Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
Send a photo showing where water pools while the shower runs — WhatsApp the glass team.