DIY Network

Shower Door Replacement Replacing a shower door in a few simple steps From "Ed the Plumber" episode DETP-402

Ed Del Grande demonstrates the step-by-step replacement of a shower door.

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Don't let dirty, moldy shower doors get the best of you: let Ed the Plumber show you how to replace them.

Tools:

claw hammer and screwdrivers
level
center punch and file
drill and miter saw

Materials:

masking tape
silicone sealant
caulking gun

Before you can install the bottom and side jambs of the new tub and shower door, you have to remove the old shower door completely. Take a tip from Ed: work slowly and carefully to prevent accidental damage to the surrounding area. Working too quickly can often make more work for everyone involved in the project.

1. Lift and remove the outside door panel (figure A), then the inside one (figure B), followed by the top track (figure C).

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

2. Lay a drop cloth in the tub and, using a screwdriver and a claw hammer, begin to pry loose the screws that fasten the side jamb to the wall (figure D). With the screws removed, use a utility knife to make a cut on the outside of the jamb where the caulk adjoins the jamb to the wall; make the same cut for the inside of the jamb facing the shower.

3. Place the edge of a putty knife in the groove of the cuts and tap the knife end with a hammer to loosen the caulk (figure E). When the bond has been broken, pull the jamb out from the wall.

Figure D

Figure E

4. Repeat all steps for the remaining jamb.

5. For the bottom track, make the same cuts in Step 2 to loosen the jam from the caulk.

6. For the side jambs, make one cut for the outside of the track and one cut for the inside.

7. Again, use a putty knife and hammer to slice away caulk. Remove the bottom track and place it to the side.

8. Wearing rubber gloves, scrape away any caulk residue left on the side walls and the tub's ledge. Make sure the area is thoroughly clean before proceeding with the installation of the shower door.

As the project proceeds, there are a number of parts to keep in order. Painter's tape can help organize all the small pieces; separate the parts for each side of the door and place each section of parts on a strip of tape. When needed, each piece is easily found, and due to the low-tack feature of the tape, the parts will be free of any sticky residue.

	Figure F
	Figure G

1. To begin, take the bottom track and with the outer lip facing away from the inside of the shower, lay it on the ledge of the tub. To accommodate the side jambs, leave a 3/4" gap between the bottom track and the edge of each shower wall. Temporarily secure the bottom track with painter's tape (figure F) before lightly marking the track's position with a pencil.

2. When the bottom track is in position, it's time to move to the installation of the side tracks.

3. Bring the side tracks over the top and push down to put in place. You must make sure the side tracks are level, going up and down, or the doors won't work properly; place a level against the track and center the bubble for a correct fit (figure G).

4. With the jamb flat against the wall, confirm that the track is level and temporarily secure it in place with painter's tape; do the same for the opposite side wall (figure H).

5. When the side jambs are in position, use an extra small masonry bit (about 1/8" will do) to drill pilot holes for the screws that will fasten the jambs to the side walls (figure I). After drilling the holes, tear off the tape and remove the two side jambs and the bottom track.

6. With the framework removed, widen the pilot holes to 3/16" (figure J). Using a 3/16" masonry bit, widen all the pilot holes and insert the plastic screw anchors. Attach the jamb closest to the storage column side with three screws. For the opposite side jamb, fasten just the top and bottom holes. For the middle hole, put a screw through a bumper insert, push it into the hole and tighten.

Figure H

Figure I

Figure J

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