The bulkhead rubbers They are an essential element to prevent shower water from soaking the entire bathroom. Keeping them in good condition, in addition to avoiding unwanted leaks, is key to preventing mold (and its unpleasant blackish appearance) from appearing.
However, and even if we take care of them, Over time and use they inevitably end up getting damaged.. You have to change them to avoid disasters and doing so is easier than it seems, although you have to take some factors into account to do it well.
What are the screen rubbers and what are they for?
So that the water does not come out of the shower and filter through the bathroom floor, what is known as flashinga piece (usually made of rubber, PVC or aluminum) that is placed on the bottom or side of the shower screen or door and that stops or directs water towards the shower tray. Sometimes there is also an aluminum profile attached to the wall, with which the rubber is sealed.
These rubber bands are main defense against water leaks which can damage floors, walls and, if they occur constantly, even the structure of the house.
How to change the screen rubber step by step
This essential element in shower screens It wears out with use, so it often has to be replaced to maintain its tightness. How is it done? Here you can see how home expert Sonia (@sniabpen) does it:
These are the steps to follow to change the screen rubber:
- If the profile that is attached to the wall is worn or detachedremove it and thoroughly clean the wall to remove any traces of dirt or glue. This step is essential for the new profile to stick well.
- Also remove the rubber bands from the glass. of the screen.
- You must take the measurements very well of the width of the glass because there are rubber bands of different sizes and it is essential that it fits perfectly on your screen. Otherwise, they will not fulfill their function and water will escape from the interior of the shower.
- Cut the rubber bands to the length you need. You can do this with a knife, scissors, or a small saw.
- Glue the profile to the wallmaking sure it is perfectly straight, with a special transparent sealant for areas with water.
- Place the rubber bands on the glass. They snap in, which can be a little tricky. Sonia has a very useful trick to help them enter more easily: “Pass a paper soaked in oil over the glass, this way you will make it slide perfectly”.
How to clean the screen rubbers
We usually Thoroughly clean the glass of the shower screenbut it is in the rubber where soap residue, humidity and lime can accumulate the most… the perfect breeding ground for the appearance of mold. To keep them in good condition for longer, it is advisable clean them frequently (minimum once every two months, but ideally once a month).
You just have to remove the rubberwhich as we have seen before is placed under pressure on the glass of the screen (do it slowly and carefully so it doesn’t get damaged). Once the rubber is out, rub it well with a mixture equal parts cleaning vinegar and water. The ideal is to submerge it in this mixture, whenever possible and let it sit for about 15-30 minutes.
After that time, rub it a little to loosen limescale and embedded dirt and rinse it well with water. Very important, let it dry completely before placing it back on the screen (you can use the oil trick that we explained before to make it go in easily).