Hey everyone! I discovered some black putty-like material under the aluminum fixture that guides my sliding shower door. It doesn't look or feel like plumbing putty; it has a more elastic texture. I'm looking to replace it since it's been there for 30 years. Any ideas on what it might be?
2 Answers
Actually, plumbing putty might not be the best choice here. From what you're describing, it seems more like old caulk or adhesive that’s gotten sticky over the years. When I’ve installed shower doors, the instructions usually say to caulk the shower side of the track and where the sides meet the bottom. Just make sure not to glue down the track since it can be tough to remove later!
It sounds like what you found could be plumbing putty. It should stay elastic, but age might have changed its texture a bit. It’s a good idea to replace it with fresh plumber’s putty and then caulk under the enclosure track to create a watertight seal.