Imagine what would happen, if you step out of the shower area and just slip due to the water outside. That would cause terrible injuries, right? So, what can be done to prevent water leakage from the shower space? Well, here’s a short answer.
To contain water within the shower space, you can use a curtain liner, install a splash on the bathtub, re-position your showerhead, or add a water dam if the shower leaks water through the edge. If despite these fixes the problem remains unresolved, you can switch to a shower door.
Further, in this post, I will explain in the detail the six different ways you can employ to prevent the leaking of shower water through the curtain.
6 Ways to Prevent Water from Leaking Through a Shower Curtain
Shower curtains though decorate your bathroom and give it a pleasant look, however, they are often the cause of water mess around the shower area.
If you are one of the people who have faced this problem, then here’s a list of six possible solutions you can try out to prevent water from escaping the shower space.
1. Use a Curtain Liner
Most homeowners have installed fabric shower curtains, which are aesthetically good and stylish. However, when it comes to waterproofing, there are poor in that area. So, when installing shower curtains, especially ones made out of cotton, install curtain liners on their back.
A curtain liner is a layer of sheet/clothing added to the back curtains to make them waterproof. You will find curtain liners in different material options i.e. plastic (vinyl), polyester, nylon, and PEVA. Plastic liners are common being cheaper, however, they are not much durable.
Since liners act as a secondary layer of shower curtains, you can insert them within the shower tub. As result, any water splashes from the shower will slide directly into the tub. Consequently, the original fabric curtain will stand nice and firm outside.
2. Install a splash guard
If the water escapes from the side walls of the shower tub, installing a splash guard can be another option. Splash guards usually come in L-shape or a triangular shape. You can attach them to the corner of the tub, the corner which is exposed to the bathroom.
A splash guard can really be a good option for you if you have a shower tub with rounded corners. Even though the liner connects the two walls at the rod, there may be still a gap at the base of the tub. So, for plugging the spaces and preventing water from getting on the bathroom floor, you can use a splash guard.
3. Add Clips to Hold the Curtain
You can also add self-adhesive clips to the shower walls. The curtains are then tucked in these clips. These clips keep the curtain tight against the shower wall and prevent water from escaping through the sides.
4. Re-position the Shower Head
Even though it might seem simple, ensuring that the shower head is correctly positioned is one of the best ways to stop water from escaping from your shower. If you have an adjustable showerhead, there are chances that its position was changed somehow, and is pointed toward the curtain. When that happens, water would pour down the sides of the curtain into the bath space.
However, you can easily re-position your shower head. It should always be pointed downward and slightly away from your shower curtain.
Make it a habit to check the shower’s direction each time you turn it on. This will may help reduce the likelihood of leaks in the future.
5. Examine the Slope and fix it
The base of the shower floor (curbed or curbless) is designed such that the slope is always tilted towards the shower drain. Ideally, the slope should be ¼ inch per foot. This ensures that water always flows directly into the drain.
However, if the floor is inclined incorrectly, the water will likely slide out into the bath space. The permanent solution is to fix the floor inclination. But to temporarily contain the water, installing a rubber threshold can be an option.
6. Install a Water Dam (Rubber Threshold)
If the water drips down from the base of the shower, despite adjusting the showerhead and curtain, another option is installing a water dam on the entrance or front.
A water dam is a rubber threshold that can collapse/compress when you step on it. This is ideal for people with mobility issues since the rubber entrance collapses when you pass a wheelchair over it and pops up back to stop water leakage.
If Nothing Works, Install a Shower Door
Most probably, these six methods would have helped you contain the water. However, if by chance, they fail to work in your case. I recommended you install a shower door.
You can either choose a frameless or framed one. The benefit of a shower door over the curtains is that the door is placed end to end with the walls. Moreover, there is caulking to prevent the leakage of water.
FAQs
Can water leakage through the shower curtain be because of Shower Tub?
Yes, it is quite possible that the shower tub may have developed some cracks and it is leaking out water. However, you are considering it a leak from the shower curtain. If that’s the case, you will see that the shower tub won’t rise to its maximum level. In addition, if you inspect, may see some tiny cracks on the surface.
What is the best way to avoid water leakage from the shower space?
The best way to address the issue is to re-positioning the shower head. In most cases, the shower is diverted towards the curtains which result in water spillage.
Shower Curtains vs. Shower Door, which is better?
Shower curtains may give your bathroom a modern look. However, they are no match to shower doors in terms of waterproofing and privacy.
Final Words
Leaking water outside the shower may not appear to be the most pressing worry, but without an immediate correction, you could end up getting a severe injury. Follow these six tips to prevent water from dripping through your shower curtain. You can prevent a great deal of trouble in the future if you take a few quick actions now.
Amos Christen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Drexel University — Philadelphia, PA. Since 2003, Amos has worked with top interior design professionals in this area, including architects and interior/graphic/lighting designers. As a skilled interior designer, Amos Christen is highly versed in fine arts and crafts and uses that to supplement his main area of expertise. He often publishes articles related to home décor on several websites, including Sprucetoilets.com, Sprucebathroom.com, and Mybesuitedhome.com. He also contributes to leading interior design magazines.