If your shower door handle wiggles every time you touch it, don’t despair and keep reading! Learn what causes that door to become annoyingly loose and more importantly, how to fix it.
Shower handles become loose due to extended use or water damage. Repair a wobbly shower door handle by tightening the screws that hold the handle to the door. If this doesn’t work, the washers, screws, or even the handle itself may have to be replaced.
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Why Do Shower Door Handles Get Loose?
Shower door handles, like almost everything else, deteriorate over time. The constant exposure to moisture from the shower can cause them to corrode and rust. Frequent usage may loosen the screws and other parts of the handle.
Excessive usage will also damage shower door handles. These handles are not designed to bear a lot of weight. Be careful not to rest your weight on the handles while opening and closing the doors. If you need assistance to get in and out of the shower, consider installing grab bars.
How Do I Fix a Loose Shower Door Handle?
There are two types of shower doors. Sliding doors move along a track. The handles are usually installed horizontally along the door and may be attached to the outer frame of the door, rather than the glass. Swinging doors open outward with a single, vertical handle that is either attached to the glass or the door frame.
Tighten the Set Screws
There are small, set screws that are typically found on the bottom side of the handle. You may need an Allen key to tighten the screws. Hold the handle firmly against the door, then tighten the screws. This may be all it takes to solve the problem!
Replace the Washers
There are small plastic or vinyl washers between the glass door and the handle. These are necessary to cushion the glass from the impact of the metal handle.
Check to see if the washers are still intact. If the washers are missing, remove the handles and replace the washers. Unscrew all screws, slide the handle off, place a new set of washers under the handle, then replace the handle.
Replace the Screws
If the shower handle is still wiggling, check the state of the screws. If they are broken, chipped, or stripped, the shower handle will move. Replace the damaged screws with a new set.
This may be easier said than done! If the screws are stripped, you may need a screw extractor kit to remove them. Follow the instructions in the set. Try different screw extractors until you are able to remove these damaged screws.
Buy a New Handle
If all else fails, it may be time to purchase a new handle! The loose handle may be due to a damaged handle. If you are unable to find the correct type of handle at your local hardware store, check with a glass store.
