Last updated: 2025-12-23
If water is leaking from the bottom edge of your over-bath shower screen, the seal strip may be worn, loose, cracked, or the wrong size. In this guide, SIMBA will show you how to fit a shower screen seal strip, remove the old seal, measure the glass and gap, cut the replacement strip to length, and fit it securely to help keep water inside the bath area.
This guide is written for bath screens and over-bath shower screens, including fixed and folding glass panels.
Tools You’ll Need
Before you start, gather these essential items:
- Tape measure and marker pen — for marking the correct length before cutting
- Garden secateurs or sharp PVC cutters — for a cleaner cut than a standard knife
- New replacement shower screen bottom seal
- Cleaning supplies (Vinegar or limescale remover)
Before You Fit the New Shower Screen Seal Strip
Before fitting the new strip, check that it matches your glass thickness and the gap between the bottom of the screen and the bath edge.
Most over-bath screens use a push-fit seal, but the exact size can vary. If the U-channel is too tight, the seal may be difficult to fit. If it is too loose, it may not grip the glass securely.
You should also check:
- the thickness of the glass
- the length of the screen
- the gap between the glass and the bath edge
- whether the old seal has a drip fin or deflector
- whether the screen is fixed, folding, or hinged
If you are not sure which size you need, see our guide on how to measure your glass thickness and gap before ordering.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fit a Shower Screen Seal Strip
Step 1: Remove the Old Shower Screen Seal Strip
If your bath screen opens or folds, move it fully open before removing the old seal. This gives you enough space to pull the strip down from the glass.
Hold the U-channel or the lower part of the old seal, then pull it straight down from the glass.
If the seal is stiff, pull steadily rather than twisting it from side to side.
Once removed, clear away any loose dirt or old residue.
Step 2: Clean the Glass Edge
Once the seal is off, you may see built-up limescale, soap scum, or mould around the bottom edge of the glass.
Clean this area before fitting the new strip. A clean glass edge helps the new seal grip the glass properly and sit more evenly along the screen.
For everyday cleaning, vinegar or a suitable limescale remover can help remove hard water marks. Make sure the glass is dry before fitting the new seal.
Dealing with stubborn hard water marks? Watch our quick cleaning tip:
Step 3: Measure Before You Fit the Replacement Shower Screen Seal Strip
Most replacement shower screen seals are longer than needed and can be trimmed to size.
Measure the full length that needs sealing, not just the visible flat part of the glass. On some over-bath screens, you may need to account for the hinge side, wall side, or a small bracket near the end of the screen.
Check that the replacement seal is suitable for your glass thickness, usually 4mm, 6mm, or 8mm depending on your bath screen.
If the seal is too loose, it may slip. If it is too tight, it may be difficult to fit or may not sit evenly.
Step 4: Cut the Shower Screen Seal Strip to Length
Mark the required length on the new seal before cutting.
For a cleaner finish, use garden secateurs or sharp PVC cutters rather than a standard knife. This helps reduce cracking and gives a neater edge.
Cut slowly and keep the seal supported on a stable surface.
If the seal reaches a metal hinge bracket or fixing point, do not force it over the obstruction. In some cases, you may need to trim part of the U-channel around the bracket while leaving the soft fin in place to help control water.
For more detail, see our full guide on how to cut a shower seal cleanly.
Hinge Tip: If the seal hits a metal bracket, just trim off the U-channel in that section and leave the soft fins to maintain the water barrier.
Step 5: Fit the New Shower Screen Seal Strip
Start at the inner end of the screen, closest to the hinge or wall. This helps the seal sit neatly into the corner and reduces the chance of water escaping from the hinge side.
Before fitting the new strip, check which way round the shower screen seal should face, especially if it has a drip fin or deflector edge. The fin should normally point towards the inside of the bath, so water is directed back into the bathing area.
⚠️ The Golden Rule: Do not slide the bottom seal on from the side.
For this type of high-grip shower screen bottom seal, sliding it along the glass can make fitting harder and may damage the strip. Instead, fit it by pressing it upwards onto the glass.
- Line up one end of the seal with the bottom corner of the glass, closest to the hinge or wall.
- Hook one side of the U-channel onto the glass edge.
- Use that corner to gently open the channel just enough for it to grip the glass.
- Press the seal upwards with the palm of your hand until it clicks firmly into place.
- Work along the screen little by little, pressing upwards as you go.
- Do not start from the middle. Starting from the centre makes the strip harder to control and can stop the ends from sitting neatly.
- Once fitted, check that the seal sits evenly along the full bottom edge of the glass.
Our high-quality shower screen bottom seal is designed to grip the glass securely without glue, screws, or silicone. If the seal is the correct size for your glass thickness, it should clip firmly into place and stay secure during normal use.
Step 6: Test the Screen
Once the seal is fitted, run the shower as you normally would and check along the bottom edge of the screen.
Look for water escaping:
under the seal
near the hinge side
around the wall side
at the corner where the glass, bath edge, and seal meet.
Open and close the screen to make sure the seal does not drag too heavily on the bath edge.
If the seal catches, bends too much, or makes the screen hard to move, the fin may be too long for the gap.
If water still appears outside the bath, check the hinge corner and the gap under the seal before replacing the strip again.
Check the Screen Hinge Corner for Leaks
On an over-bath shower screen, the hinge corner is one of the most common places for water to escape. Even if the bottom seal strip is fitted correctly, water can still find its way out near the wall, hinge, or the small corner where the glass, bath edge, and seal meet.
After fitting your new shower screen seal strip, run the shower as normal and check this corner carefully.
If you still see water collecting outside the bath, the issue may be coming from the hinge side rather than the main bottom edge of the seal.
For more help, see our guide on how to fix a leaking shower screen corner.
Common Fitting Questions
Do I need glue or silicone?
No. A push-fit shower screen seal strip should not normally need glue or silicone. The U-channel should grip the glass by itself if the seal is the correct size.
Using adhesive may make the seal harder to remove in future.
Which way round should the shower screen seal face?
If the seal has a drip fin or deflector edge, it should normally face towards the inside of the bath. This helps direct water back into the bathing area.
Can I cut a shower screen seal strip?
Yes. Most replacement shower screen seal strips can be cut to length. Use sharp secateurs or PVC cutters for a cleaner edge.
What if the seal is hard to fit?
Check that the seal matches your glass thickness. A seal that is too tight may be difficult to press onto the glass. Do not force it from the side; press it upwards from one end instead.
What if the screen still leaks after fitting?
Check the hinge corner, the wall side, the bottom gap, and the direction of the drip fin. The leak may not be coming from the main bottom edge of the seal.
Finish the Job and Check for Leaks
Fitting a shower screen seal strip is a simple DIY job when the replacement strip matches your glass thickness, gap size, and screen type.
Measure first, cut carefully, fit from the hinge side, and check the direction of the drip fin before testing the screen.
For more practical fitting and care advice, see our shower seal fitting and maintenance guides.
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