My Shower Door Makes A Popping Noise – Why? What To Do?

Popping noises coming from your shower doors during the middle of the night or early in the morning is a common phenomenon in certain places. But if it’s your first time hearing this, don’t fret. We’ve done our best to research why popping noises are coming from your shower doors and what to do in that situation.

The main reason your shower door is creating this popping noise, similar to that of popcorn, is the temperature change. If you live in a place where the ambient temperature fluctuates heavily, then this can cause the glass and the other materials of the shower door to contract and expand rapidly. This, in turn, creates that popping noise.

In this article, we will discuss how to resolve this issue and what other problems you need to be aware of that are related to shower doors. Additionally, you will also learn how to properly clean your shower door. So, continue reading to find out more.

Why Is The Shower Door Making A Popping Noise?

To understand why your shower door is making a popping noise, you must first understand the materials used to create your shower door. The main component is glass, specifically tempered glass.

Tempered glass is made by heating glass to a certain temperature before quenching it in cold water. This creates two distinct areas to the glass, the center and the outer surface. These two areas exert forces against each other, thereby giving the glass its strength.

Because there are two parts in the tempered glass, the ambient temperature affects each differently. As a result, it creates movement within the glass due to the sudden rise and fall of the temperature outside. The result is the popping noise that you hear.

detail of a modern glass shower cabin.

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What To Do When Shower Door Is Making A Popping Noise?

Upon hearing the popping noises from your shower doors, your first instinct may be to feel scared and wonder what’s wrong. However, don’t fret, as this is a normal occurrence. If you live near a desert or places where there’s a drastic temperature change daily, then you’re more likely to hear a popping noise. This often happens late at night or early in the morning when temperatures are in flux.

Since a popping noise doesn’t mean anything is wrong with your shower door, you can ignore it if it doesn’t bother you. If you want the popping noise to lessen or disappear, you can choose to specially treat your shower door so it’s more resistant to drastic temperature changes. Another option is to add a protective layer over the glass yourself.

Check this glass treatment on Amazon.

Why Is The Shower Door Squeaking?

Plumber installing a shower cabin in bathroom, My Shower Door Makes A Popping Noise - Why What To Do

If your shower door is squeaking each time you open and close it, then there are a couple of reasons why. And in this section, you will learn about each one:

Dust And Dirt

One of the most common causes of a squeaky shower door is the accumulation of dust and dirt in its hinges and around the frame. This is more apparent when there’s work done inside the bathroom, as this is a good way for dust, dirt, and other debris to get into the hinges and corners of your shower door.

To resolve this, all you need to do is clean the gunk and grime out of the hinges. Make sure to clean out the dust and dirt underneath the frame and on the sides.

Check this lubricant on Amazon.

Hinges

Another thing to check when identifying where the squeaky noise is coming from are the hinges. More often than not, there’s a loose screw or two. Tightening them up should do the trick.

If all the screws are in place securely, then check the pivot hinge. This is responsible for holding the weight of the entire door. Because of this, it can create a squeaky noise when it starts loosening from the frame and the wall.

Additionally, adding lubricant will help reduce the likelihood of corrosion occurring, and in turn, it helps the shower door swing easily without producing squeaky sounds.

Check these shower hinges on Amazon.

How To Clean Shower Doors

Male hand opens the shower door in a modern bathroom.

To prevent issues like squeaky doors and mold, regular cleaning is a must. Do this at least once a week to achieve the best results. As such, these steps will help serve as your guide:

Gather The Tools/Materials Needed

First, prepare all the tools and materials that you will need. This way you won’t be going in and out of the bathroom every single time, thereby reducing the risk of accidents happening. Some of the things that you will need are as follows:

  • Microfiber cloth
  • Bucket
  • Cleaning solution
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Vinegar
  • Lemon
  • Sponge
  • Spray Bottle
  • Paint scraper/razor blade scraper

Spray Cleaning Solution

Once you have everything ready, it’s time to spray a layer of cleaning solution on top of the shower doors. Leave this be for at least thirty minutes. If there’s a thick layer of grime on the shower doors, you can leave the cleaning solution until it cuts into the grime.

If you’re not fond of using commercial cleaning solutions, then you can easily create a natural option using vinegar, water, and lemon. To do this, mix one part vinegar and one part water in a kettle before heating. Then, transfer the contents into a spray bottle.

Afterward, you can squeeze the lemon juice into the spray bottle to add a distinct fragrance. You can also opt to use naturally scented oils to achieve this effect.

Scrub Shower Door Tracks

While waiting for the cleaning solution to do its thing, you can start scrubbing the gunk out of the shower door tracks. Use either a paint scraper or a razor blade scraper during this step. Alternatively, an old toothbrush will also help to an extent.

Your goal is to remove the mold and dirt that has accumulated in the frame of the shower doors. Make sure not to leave a spot untouched to prevent creating an environment where mold and mildew can thrive.

Check this razor blade scraper on Amazon.

Rinse And Dry

After half an hour or more, it’s time to rinse off the soap and dirt from the shower doors. Make sure to use clean water and a dry sponge to help remove all the grime and dirt from the glass.

Afterward, use a microfiber cloth to help dry off the shower doors. Repeat this step until there’s no wet patch left.

Are Shower Doors Dangerous?

Shower stall and bathtub inside a clean bathroom with brown tiles on the floor

It’s not unusual for one to worry about shower doors. After all, they’re still susceptible to breaking because they are glass. There are even times when shower doors will suddenly break without clear reason.

If there’s a bright side to this, it’s the fact that the federal code requires shower doors to be of tempered safety glass. Why? That’s because they break.

Unlike regular glass, tempered safety glass breaks into tiny pieces instead of jagged, sharp pieces. As a result, you won’t incur any large injuries. Although, you can still suffer from small cuts and wounds.

As such, when it comes to installing shower doors, one needs to be very careful. While shower doors are strong against direct impact, they shatter easily when hit on the side. So any improper handling can result in a shower door breaking into thousands of tiny pieces.

Check this shower door on Amazon.

How Much To Replace A Shower Door?

 

Plumber installing a shower cabin in bathroom

If you’re thinking about replacing your shower door at home, then it will cost you a pretty penny. On average, it will cost you around $900, no matter which state you live in.

This price could still change depending on the materials, the size of the shower door, the design, and the thickness of the glass. If you want to save money, you can do the installation yourself. However, ensure a steady pair of extra hands nearby to help you out.

If you wish to learn more, check the link below. This gives you a detailed outline of this topic and more:

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Shower Door?

To Wrap Up

You can avoid popping noises from your shower doors with the right materials and correct installation. Applying a layer of protection over the glass can also help prevent it from producing too much noise. However, it wholly depends on where you live and if you want to resolve an issue that’s not too concerning.

If you want to learn more, why not check the links below? These are related topics and will provide you with more information.

Gap Between Shower Door Frame And Wall—What To Do?

How To Choose A Shower Door For Your Bathroom

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