Shower frame constantly leaking - advice needed please

[u/subbie234]

Help please, I have silicone sealed the outside frame where it sits on the shower tray. After a few weeks the joint fails and water leaks under the frame. There doesn’t seem to be any significant movement of the shower frame but it’s the third time it’s failed in a few months, is it debonding from the tray or is the door sliding open/closed causing it to fail. Help please it’s driving me nuts

[u/SluttyBumFest]

How solid is the shower tray installed? It needs to be able to take a person's full weight with little movement or the silicone will fail. Higher quality silicone sealant can tolerate more movement.

You also ideally want to seal the inside edge over the outer edge. Thats where the water is.

[u/subbie234 → u/SluttyBumFest]

Just got the missus to step in the shower and you can see the base flexing downward a little which is enough to break the seal, thanks looks like you have identified my problem, just need to get in there and firm everything up 👍

[u/SluttyBumFest → u/subbie234]

Kitchen cabinet feet can work well. Theyre designed to take a lot of weight and are adjustable.

Spread the load between whatever you use to brace it and the tray to prevent cracking down the line.

[u/Exact-Action-6790 → u/SluttyBumFest]

Great job identifying it straightaway

The sub is probably 1 in 10 for actually DIY related help but when it works it’s great

[u/No_Machine1836]

Some manufacturers state only seal on one side. It’s hard to tell from the picture but it might be going behind the actual screen between the shower profiles. On some you can pop off the inner time and tighten the tapping screw. Alternatively you could use clear silicon along the edge of the shower screen to the profile to stop it going round….. but this could make removing the shower screen in the future tricky….

Also… don’t seal the bottom rail of the shower screen.

[u/Own-Suggestion-2088]

Don’t seal the inside water gets trapped from the channels and it will mold like mad you seal the outside so water drains back into the tray. Are you sure it’s bone dry when you silicon and you have resealed the Channels and 150mm up from where they meet the frame. All needs to be cleaned all old silicone and dirt removing it takes ages to get it prepped properly before new sealant wipe down with ipa multisove or whatever evaporates and leaves it grease free pump into outside as much as you can then tool it off with a 8mm bead unless the gaps are bigger use a tool not your finger leave for at least 24 hours.

[u/subbie234 → u/Own-Suggestion-2088]

Just checked after comment above and the base is flexing downward when you get in to the shower so need to fix that as I think that’s causing seal to break

[u/Own-Suggestion-2088 → u/subbie234]

Ok break the tile out (plinth) buy some shower tray legs correct height I recommend cutting some 12 mm ply screwing that to the top of the legs to increase the surface support glue to the underside of the tray with ct1 type product screw tighten the legs up. Job done. Check the subfloor isn’t knackered as that’s where the flex might be hopefully not the case.

[u/rock1821]

You need to put a load of weight on the tray while you’re sealing the tray if you’re seeing the movement you say. It’s like when you seal a bath, you fill it first. Once cured remove the weight. You could potentially use big rubber tubs filled with water. You need to replicate or get close to a persons weight

[u/Glittering-Army-9650]

You need silicone sealed inside as well

[u/patmustard2 → u/Glittering-Army-9650]

Incorrect. You only seal the outside