How to Stop Shower Screen Leaking at the Hinge — Complete Guide

Last updated: 14 January 2026

If your shower screen is leaking at the hinge, you're not on your own. It's easily the most common (and proper annoying) leak we see in frameless showers.

Good news: You don't need to fork out for a new shower screen — just a high-quality shower screen seal will do the trick!

In this tutorial, we’ll show you a simple DIY fix to stop the leak for good. Let's get stuck in!


Confirm Your Leak Type

Leaky hinges usually fall into two camps, and each needs a different fix:

Leak Type Location Solution
Bottom Corner Leak At the base of the door, near the bottom hinge. Install a Threshold Strip.
Vertical Side Leak Along the vertical edge of the glass, next to the hinge gap. Trim and fit an H-Type Seal.

I. Type One: Bottom Corner Leak

The leak usually pops up in that tiny gap between your bottom seal and the hinge itself.

Fixing a Corner of Shower Leaking

This happens because standard seals can’t always meet the hinge fittings perfectly. No need to replace the whole door, though!

A simple threshold strip will sort it right out. It’s more about seal compatibility than a faulty door.

Top Tip: Read our full guide on how to stop water running out of the corner.

II. Type Two: Vertical Side Hinge Leak

This leak runs down the vertical gap. We solve this by custom-trimming an H-type seal strip.

H-type seal installation

What You’ll Need

  • Marker pen & Measuring tape
  • H-shape seal (Matches your glass thickness)
  • Garden pruning shears (Proper sharp ones!)

Note: It has to be an H-type—other shapes won't clear the hinge points.

The H-shape looks like a lowercase "h": one side grips the glass, and the flexible fin keeps the water where it belongs.

H-shape seal profile

Prefer a Visual Guide?

We’ve filmed a step-by-step video to show you exactly how to tackle this hinge leak. Check it out below:

Measure, Cut & Fit

If you have two hinges, you'll need three seal sections to fill the gaps in between.

Step-by-Step Trimming: Mark the hinge size (e.g., 25mm) on your seal and make four precise cuts so it sits flush around the hinge area.

Cutting step 1 Cutting step 2 Cutting step 3 Cutting step 4

Once you’ve trimmed the sections, push them firmly onto the glass. Ensure the long fin points inside the shower area. Job done!


Handy Tips from the Pros

  • Sizing: Pick a seal slightly larger than your glass thickness (e.g., 6-8mm seal for 6mm glass) to ensure full coverage around the hinge.
  • Practise: Use a leftover bit of seal to practise your cuts first. Better safe than sorry!
  • Direction: Always double-check the fin is facing inwards. If it’s backwards, water will still find a way out.

🛑 STOP: Don't use soapy water or lubricants! It’ll only encourage mould growth later on.

⚠️ Heat: Keep water under 70 celsius to avoid warping the PVC seal.

FAQ: Frameless Hinge Leaks

Do all H-type seals work for hinges? +
Not all of them! You need a flexible long fin to wrap around the hinge properly. Our H-shape range is specifically designed for this.
What if my glass is uniquely shaped? +
In most cases, this trimming method still works as long as the leak is side-on. If your setup is a bit unusual, send us a photo and we’ll give you some tailored advice.

Does This Fix Actually Work?

Absolutely. It’s a simple, brilliant fix that's far cheaper than a new door. Keep your bathroom dry and your glass looking spot on.

Find Your Perfect Seal at SIMBA

Author: Laura Liu

Laura joined SIMBA in January 2017. As a seasoned seal expert, she specializes in finding the right profiles for tricky UK bathrooms. Her mission? Making sure SIMBA customers get it right first time.

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