If your shower screen is leaking at the hinge, don't worry — you're not alone. This is one of the most common and frustrating leaks we see on frameless and over-bath shower screens.
You usually do not need a whole new screen. In many cases, the fix is a correctly fitted seal, a small threshold strip, or a simple adjustment around the hinge-side corner.
In this guide, we’ll help you identify the most common hinge-side leaks, including a shower door leaking at the hinge, a bath screen leaking at the wall end, water escaping below the hinge, or a small leak between the shower screen and hinge fitting.
Quick Answer: How Do You Stop a Shower Screen Leaking at the Hinge?
First, find the exact leak point. If water escapes from the bottom hinge corner, a clear threshold strip is often a practical fix. If water sprays through the vertical gap beside the hinge, a trimmed H-type seal is usually more suitable.
If water is running down behind the wall profile, the problem may be failed silicone rather than the seal itself. Do not seal moving hinge parts with silicone.
P-Shaped Bath Screen Hinge Leaks
On P-shaped bath screens and curved over-bath screens, water often appears near the hinge because several parts meet in one place: the curved glass, hinge fitting, bottom seal and bath rim.
First check whether the leak starts from the vertical hinge-side gap or the lower bath-side corner. A vertical gap usually needs an H-type seal, while a lower corner leak should be treated as a bottom hinge corner problem.
Confirm Your Hinged Leak Type
Before replacing anything, dry the hinge area and run the shower gently for 30 seconds. Hold a dry tissue near the hinge-side corner, wall profile, bottom seal end and vertical gap. The first wet spot usually shows where the leak starts.
Hinge-side leaks usually fall into a few common types, and each needs a slightly different fix:
| Leak Type | Where You See Water | Likely Cause | Best First Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom hinge corner leak | Water escapes at the bottom hinge or bath/tray corner | Bottom seal ends before the hinge, or no raised barrier | Add a clear threshold strip |
| Vertical hinge-side leak | Water sprays through the vertical gap beside the hinge | Open side gap between glass and wall/panel | Fit a trimmed H-type seal |
| Wall profile leak | Water runs down behind the wall channel | Failed silicone or loose wall profile | Reseal the fixed wall profile |
| Spray-direction leak | Leaks only when shower is aimed at hinge | Water pressure is forcing water into the hinge area | Adjust shower head angle first |
If you are not sure whether the leak is coming from the hinge, bottom edge or wall profile, start with our shower leak troubleshooting guides before choosing a replacement seal.
Shower Screen Bottom Hinge & Corner Leak
This is the most frequent culprit when homeowners ask how to stop a shower screen leaking at the hinge. It usually happens when the bottom seal leaves a tiny, vulnerable gap right where the glass meets the hinge fitting.
While it looks like a major issue, the solution is often simpler than you think.
A clear threshold strip is frequently the “missing piece” needed to divert water back into the tray.
Even if your door isn't faulty, adding this secondary barrier is often an effective way to help stop water escaping at the hinge corner.
A bottom seal alone may not always cover the final few millimetres near the hinge, especially where the hinge plate or pivot block interrupts the seal.
If the water is escaping mainly from the lower corner rather than the hinge gap itself, see our guide to stopping shower screen corner leaks.
Pivot Shower Door Leaking at the Bottom Hinge Case 1
If the pivot block or hinge plate stops the bottom seal running continuously, fitting a shower door bottom seal around hinges and hardware may mean trimming the seal into sections or changing to a different profile.
The Solution: You'll need to custom-trim the seal to "wrap" around the hinge. Since this intricate trimming process can be tricky, we've filmed a dedicated video guide to help you get a closer fit around the hinge.
Need a hand? Feel free to message SIMBA if you're stuck!
Pivot Shower Door Leaking at the Bottom Hinge Case 2
- Trim the seal around the hinge area
- Add an extra seal strip around the hinge for better water protection
For further assistance, please contact our online customer service.
Vertical Side Hinge Leak
If you're trying to stop a shower screen leaking at the hinge along the vertical edge, an H-type seal is often a good fit for this type of gap. Its flexible fin can help cover the space where the glass meets the wall or another panel.
Essential Tools
- Marker pen & Measuring tape
- H-shape seal (Pick the one that matches your glass)
- Sharp garden pruning shears
An H-type seal is often a practical option around hinge plates because it can be cut into separate sections without covering the moving hinge itself.
Visual Step-by-Step
Prefer to watch? The video below shows how the seal can be trimmed and fitted around a vertical hinge-side gap.
Measurement & Fitting
Sectioning: If you have two hinges, cut the seal into three sections so the pieces fit between the hinge plates.
Installation: Press each section firmly onto the glass and check that the flexible long fin faces inwards towards the shower area.
The same sectioning method can work with many frameless hinge layouts, including some Aqualux, Coram and Victoria Plum enclosures, provided the seal clears the hinge and does not interfere with door movement.
Check the Fit Before Installation
Before fitting the seal fully, check that you are not making any of these shower seal common installation mistakes that can cause fitting problems or shorten the life of the seal.
Sizing: Choose a seal that matches your glass thickness. For example, a seal listed for 6–8mm glass may fit 6mm glass, but the profile and fitting position still need to suit the hinge gap. A seal that is too loose may move on the glass, while one that is too tight can be difficult to fit correctly.
Warmth: If the seal feels stiff, soaking it briefly in warm water can make the material easier to fit onto the glass.
A quick note: Avoid using oils or leaving soapy residue on the seal. Residue can make the area harder to keep clean and may also affect how securely the seal sits on the glass.
Ready to Fix That Leak?
If water is escaping from the bottom hinge corner, a clear threshold strip may help redirect it back towards the shower area.
If the leak is coming through the vertical hinge-side gap, compare our vertical shower seals to find a profile that suits your glass and hinge layout.
Still unsure where the water is getting through? Send us a clear photo of the hinge area and we can help identify the leak point before you choose a seal.
FAQ: Frameless Hinge Leaks
Why is my shower door leaking at the hinge?
A shower door leaking at the hinge usually means water is escaping from one of three places: the bottom hinge corner, the vertical gap beside the hinge, or behind the fixed wall profile. A bottom seal may help if the leak starts along the lower glass edge, but hinge-corner leaks often need a threshold strip or a trimmed H-type seal.
Can I fix a leaking shower screen hinge with a standard DIY store seal?
Sometimes, but only if the seal profile matches the leak point. A standard bottom seal may not solve a hinge-side leak if the water escapes around the hinge plate or wall profile. For bottom corner leaks, a threshold strip is often more effective. For vertical hinge gaps, a trimmed H-type seal is usually a better fit.
Is a leaking shower screen hinge a common UK bathroom problem?
Yes. Hinge-side leaks are commonly discussed by UK homeowners because the leak often appears after the screen has been fitted for some time. The cause is usually not the hinge itself, but the small gap around the bottom seal end, wall profile, or vertical hinge-side edge.
How do I stop water leaking through the shower door hinges?
First identify whether the leak starts at the bottom hinge corner, the vertical hinge-side gap, or behind the wall profile. Bottom corner leaks often need a threshold strip. Vertical hinge gaps usually need a trimmed H-type seal. If water runs behind the fixed wall profile, check the silicone instead of sealing the moving hinge parts.
Do all H-type seals work for hinges?
Not all. You need a seal with a flexible long fin to clear the hinge plates without obstructing the door. Our H-shape range is specifically sourced for this flexibility.
What if my setup is unique?
If your door axis or hinge placement is unusual, send us a clear photo! We provide tailored technical advice to all SIMBA customers to ensure a dry bathroom.