Shower Doors/Maintenance

      

There are lots of advantages to switching from shower curtain tub enclosures to a shower door enclosure. For example, the water mess is confined to the tub and/or shower area; the enclosure stays warmer longer because the heat generated by the hot water is more confined and curtains don't have to be changed because of mildew created by tub/shower dampness. Shower doors are easy to clean and maintain by occasionally wiping them with a soapy cloth and rinsing away the residue with clean water.

There are a variety of shower door designs available. Conveniently, even the most expensive of the selection is within most budgets. Installing a shower enclosure yourself is extremely easy, requiring few tools to complete the job in less than a day. The enclosures are designed to be installed on the rim of the bathtub or on the curb of a shower stall. The enclosures that you buy in a kit include a tube of sealing compound, the door, and the tracks and framing in which the door sets and slides. Usually included are the screws and shields for fastening the uprights to the walls, but not always. Be sure to check the package. You also can buy enclosures separately. That is, you can buy just the doors, track, compound, and so on. Kits generally are less expensive than individual components, although you may find a better selection with components. All enclosures are manufactured either with plastic or safety glass doors.

MAINTENANCE:
Tub and shower doors need little maintenance, but you should check the caulking seals from time to time. The caulking usually has to be renewed once yearly, and you may have to dig out the old caulking with a putty knife before you apply new. The old stuff usually can be started with a putty or case knife and pulled out of the joint with your fingers.

At this time, check the framing for level and plumb. You may have to shim the frame with caulking to bring it back to level and plumb. Do this by backing out the screws that hold the framing in place against the walls. If the frame is not square, the door will "rack".

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