If your shower screen is leaking at the hinge, you're not alone.
This is one of the most common (and annoying) leaks in frameless showers.
Most frameless shower screen hinges have a small gap where the glass meets the hinge.
That tiny space is enough for water to escape — and sadly, standard shower seal strips just don’t work there.
But don’t worry — with a simple trick using an H-type shower seal strip and a bit of trimming, you can stop shower screen leaking at the hinge for good.
No plumber needed. Just a pair of scissors, a steady hand, and this guide.
In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to stop your shower screen leaking at the hinge using a simple, DIY seal strip method.
Let’s get started. Your dry bathroom floor is just a few steps away.
What You’ll Need: Tools for Shower Screen Leaking at Hinge Fix
Here’s what you’ll want on hand before starting your fix for a shower screen leak at the hinge:
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Marker pen
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Ruler or measuring tape
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Garden pruning shears
Make sure it’s an H-type seal strip — other shapes simply won’t work to stop leaking at shower door hinge points.
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Note: The H-type seal doesn’t look like a chunky capital “H.” It’s more like a slim, lowercase “h” when viewed from the side. One side grips the glass, and the other sticks out as a flexible fin that keeps the water in. |
For example, the SIMBA 0012A is a perfect fit for fixing shower hinge leaks.
Prefer a Visual Guide?
We’ve recorded a step-by-step YouTube video for this exact shower hinge leak fix. If you’re a visual learner, check it out!
When This Works (and When It Doesn't)
This fix works best if:
- The leak is coming from where two glass panels meet at a flat 180° angle.
- You have a frameless shower or a fixed glass screen.
It won’t work on angled hinges (like 90° or 135° ones) — those need a different solution.
Not sure if this fits your situation? Send us a photo — we’ll help you determine how to stop your shower screen leaking at the hinge.
Step 2: How to Remove the Old Seal to Stop Shower Screen Leaking at Hinge
To stop hinge leaks in shower screens, start by removing any old or damaged seal.
Grab the U-shaped seal with both hands and pull it straight off the glass. No need for tools — it comes off easily.
⚠️ Important: Don’t slide the seal up or down. Always pull it straight off to avoid damaging the glass or scratching the seal.
This works whether your seal is at the bottom or the side.
In fact, it’s the same method we recommend in our other guide: [ How to Replace Your Shower Screen Bottom Seal].
Step 2: Measure the Seal Length You’ll Need — Stop Shower Screen Hinge Leaking
You’ll need to cut the H-type seal strip into sections that avoid the hinges.
1. Total Shower Door Height
If your shower screen has two hinges, you’ll need to break the seal into three sections — one for each gap between the hinges.
So first, measure the full height of the glass, then subtract the height of both hinge areas.
Use those measurements to cut your 2-metre H-type seal into three pieces.
Not sure how to cut it? We’ve got a full guide here: [ How To Cut Shower Door Seal Easy?]
Tip: Some parts of the seal do need to cover the hinge edge. Check the red lines in the image below for how to measure this correctly.
2. Measure the Hinge Itself
In our example, the hinge is 25mm tall. Make sure your seal is cut with this in mind to ensure proper coverage and leak protection.
Proper measurement is key to effectively stop water leaking from the shower screen hinge.
Step 3: Trim the H-Type Shower Door Seal — Stop Shower Screen Hinge Leaking
Once you’ve cut your seal into three pieces, it’s time to trim the one that goes over the hinge area.
Start by figuring out which end of the strip will sit at the hinge. That way, you’ll know which side needs trimming — the left end or the right end.
Here's how to trim it:
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Use a marker to mark out the hinge size. In our case, we measured a 25mm hinge, so mark 25mm from the end of the strip.
Cut four precise lines along the red lines shown in the photos.
This step is the heart of fixing a leaky shower screen at the hinge.
First:
Second:
Third:
Fourth:
Repeat this for all seal pieces that will go over hinge sections
When done correctly, the seal will sit flush against the glass, leaving room for the hinge while keeping water out.
Step 4: Install the Seal Strip and Stop Shower Screen Leaking at Hinge
This part is super simple — especially if you followed the earlier tip about choosing a slightly larger H-type seal.
Now that you’ve pre-cut the seal to match your hinge layout:
- Align the seal with the glass edge.
- Push it firmly onto the glass, making sure the fins are facing the right direction (the longer fin should point inward into the shower area).
- If you’ve trimmed it properly around the hinge area, it should slide into place without any resistance.
Once installed, the shower door hinge will no longer leak — and your floor stays dry!
Your shower screen is now sealed, neat, and water-tight — all without replacing the entire door.
Handy Tips for Fixing Shower Hinge Leaks
When leaks around shower door hinges, make sure to choose a slightly larger seal than usual.
For example, if your glass is 6mm thick, don’t go for a 4–6mm seal — instead, pick one made for 6–8mm glass.
Why? Because hinge areas usually stick out a bit, and you’ll need that extra width to get full coverage and proper sealing.
Got hardware in the way?
No worries. Just trim off the U-shaped grip section and keep the bottom fin.
That way, the seal can sit snug against the glass without being squeezed by the hinge.
It won’t affect how the door opens or closes — and the waterproofing still works a treat!
Here's what a trimmed seal around a hinge looks like:
2. Test with a sample first
If you're unsure, order an extra seal or use the leftover bit to practise cutting. Better safe than sorry!
3. Be careful when cutting
Once it's cut, there's no going back — a wrong snip can’t be undone. Take it slow and steady.
4. Check the direction of your H-type seal
Make sure the long fin faces inside the shower — otherwise water could still leak out.
When trimming, pay attention to the shower seals orientation so you don’t accidentally flip it the wrong way!
FAQ About Frameless Shower Door Hinge Leaks
Q: Do all H-type shower seals work for hinge areas?
A: Not quite! Be sure to choose an H-type seal that matches your glass thickness and features flexible long fins — like our popular model SIMBA 0012A. Standard seals often won't fit around hinges properly.
Q: Can I still use this method if my glass is angled or uniquely shaped?
A: In most cases, yes — as long as the leak is coming from the side near the hinge, this trimming method works well. If your setup is unusual, feel free to contact us with photos for tailored advice.
Q: What if I don’t know how to cut the seal?
A: No worries at all! We can provide cutting tips, or even send extra sample strips so you can practice before installing the real one. Just reach out — SIMBA is here to help.
Does This Fix Actually Stop Shower Screen Leaks at the Hinge?
Absolutely — yes!
Once installed, water will stop sneaking out from around the hinge.
It's way cheaper than replacing the entire door,
keeps your glass looking clean and tidy,
and even helps block soap scum and limescale from building up in the gaps.
A simple fix that does a brilliant job!
Need Help Finding the Right Seal?
At SIMBA, we specialize in shower seal strips that stop leaks at hinges.
Need help choosing the right one? Just drop us a message — we’re happy to help.
Contact SIMBA today. We’ll help you stop shower screen leaking at the hinge — for good.
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Author: Laura Laura joined SIMBA in January 2017 and has since become an integral part of the team. As a seasoned content manager and seal expert, she oversees website optimization and specializes in crafting informative and engaging content about sealing solutions. Her deep knowledge of shower seal technology and market trends ensures SIMBA stays ahead in providing value to customers worldwide. |