Review of seals for shower cabins: description and reviews

A shower cabin is a stylish, comfortable and functional alternative to a regular bath. True, for comfortable use of the cabin it is not enough to simply install it and connect communications. The owner will have to take care of a number of important details, which include seals - special devices that ensure the tightness of the structure. When purchasing a new shower cabin, they are included in the kit, but there are times when the seal needs to be purchased separately.

Seals for shower cabins

The difficulty lies in the fact that such parts have different configurations and are made of different materials, so choosing what you need can be quite difficult.

Seals come in different shapes

Why do you need a seal?

The main task of the seal is to prevent water from getting out of the shower stall, which will cause puddles on the bathroom floor and the humidity in the room will be too high.

Seals are necessary to prevent water from entering the shower stall onto the floor

It is a dense strip that is laid around the perimeter of panels and other parts of the structure to ensure tight contact between:

• swing or sliding doors;
• adjacent panels of the shower cabin;
• vertical parts of the structure and pallet;
• doors and tray;
• cabin panels and bathroom walls.

The photo shows installed seals

In order for the seal to fully perform its functions, it must meet the following criteria:

• resistance to high humidity;
• resistance to temperature changes;
• elasticity and good adhesion to the surface;
• strength and reliability.

Silicone seal

Important: despite the fact that the sealing profile may seem like an insignificant detail, it is not recommended to save on its purchase. Cheap products tend not only to wear out quickly, but also to accumulate dirt and moisture, which can lead to the appearance of fungus, mold and bacterial growth.

Ceramic baseboards and tiles

If the bathroom walls are finished with ceramic tiles, you can close the corner between the bathtub and the wall using a standard baseboard, which is purchased along with the main coating material.

The method is ideal for those cases when renovations are being carried out with an already installed bathroom - no special calculations are required, you just need to try on the bottom row of tiles and cut them at the required distance.

Joining using cut tiles

The method is almost similar to the previous one, when the space between the bathtub and the wall is covered with tiles cut to size. However, the side of the bathroom must be wide enough, otherwise the tiles will chip.

True, there are disadvantages here too - if you need to replace the bathroom, the finishing will have to be seriously damaged. But the use of ceramics gives another important advantage - it is laid on mineral glue and grouted with mineral grout. The fungus starts quite rarely in such conditions.

There is also a method where the bathtub “cuts” directly into the tile covering. However, it requires preliminary fitting and special accuracy. The lower and upper edges of the side with the bathtub installed are marked on the wall.

After this, the plumbing fixture is taken out of the room, and the cladding is done above and below the marked lines. After final installation, the joint is sealed with standard tile grout.

Types of seals

There are several options for seals, which differ from each other in size and cross-section, and are also made of different materials.

Shape (type) of seal

Type of seal	Where is it used?
T-shaped	The fittings are installed at the bottom of the cabin door to prevent water from flowing out from under it onto the bathroom floor.
A-shaped	Used to seal joints between two glass panels, as well as between a wall and glass.
C-shaped	It is mounted at the bottom of the door, as well as at the junction points of the structure.
U-shaped	A universal seal that can be used in any location.
H-shaped	Suitable for shower cabins of non-standard shape and where the sheets do not join at right angles.
Read also:  Corners for tiles - strength and design of surfaces in the bathroom Petal (dropper)	The fittings consist of two parts (petals): one covers the cabin threshold and seals the gap, and the second directs water splashes inside the cabin. It is especially necessary in cases where the shower drain is located directly in the floor.

seals for shower cabins

In addition to the above types of seals, there are special profiles that are designed for installation on radius equipment. Since conventional fittings on curved glass do not hold up well, fly off from the extreme points, gather in folds and allow moisture to pass through, products with a certain bend are produced for radius cabins.

Seal for radius shower door

Silicone seals

GC Matins offers a wide range of extruded silicone seals made of biologically inert materials based on siloxane rubber (silicone).

Due to their unique properties, silicone rubber seals have found wide application in various industries.

Silicone profiles are used as seals for various types of connections and can be used in any climatic zones over a wide temperature range from -60 oC to +315 oC.

Silicone seals are resistant to ozone, sea and fresh water (including boiling water), alcohol, mineral oils and fuel, weak solutions of acids and alkalis.

Scope of application of silicone seals:

Heat-resistant seals in bakery ovens, smoking ovens, proofers and drying ovens

Frost-resistant seals for refrigerators and freezers

Universal seals for windows, doors, portholes, hatches in machine and shipbuilding

Used as insulation and sealing of heat and gas removal equipment

Due to the high electrical insulating properties of silicone rubber, they are used as insulation for output and installation wires of electrical equipment, current-carrying elements of electrical devices, etc.

Used as a substrate for thermal knives in packaging equipment (non-stick properties)

Our company offers silicone sealants for various purposes, hardness and a wide range of colors, including transparent. Profiles made of silicone rubber are manufactured both in a standard configuration, from an assortment of dies available, and according to the technical specifications (drawing) of the customer.

The catalog below presents the most common types of silicone seals.

Catalog of silicone seals (profiles)

Sectional profile	Profile number	Dimensions axbxcxd (mm)	Weight 1 l.m. (gram.)
1	18x24x3.5	220
2	36×20	400
	3-1	23x14x19	210
	3-2	23x12x18	170
	3-3	23x14x17	180
	3-4	20x12x17	160
3-5	16x19x19	260
	4-1	17x19x7.0x5.5	170
	4-2	17x19x4.5x4.5	170
	5-1	22x18x20	230
	5-2	22x23x18	300
5-3	270
	5-4	19x13x17	170
	5-5	12x10x12	110
5-6	Silicone seal for oven door ledge Analogue VIGE 754152.077	185
	6-1	13x11x16	110
	6-2	20x11x16	140
	7-1	11x16x8x14	155
	7-2	11x16x9x16	180
	7-3	11x15x9x14	150
	7-4	10x17x8x16	195
	7-5	11x18x9x18	235
	7-6	13x11x6x11	100
	7-7	13x12x8x11	85
	7-8	11×17.5x12x15	100
	8-1	11x21x13x18	165
	8-2	16x21x13x18	210
	8-3	16x21x10x18	250
	8-4	8x13x8x12	90
	8-5	13x13x8x12	110
	8-6	19x26x16.5x24	300
9	14x15x20	175
10	18x24x22	320
11	24x10x10x5	320
12	10x20x14x4	170
13	12x20x2	150
	14-1	2.5x20x1.5x1.5	53
	14-2	3.5x21x2.0x2.5	83
	14-3	3.5x25x2.0x2.5	100
	14-4	5.0x28x4.0x3.0	174
	14-5	4.0x31x2.0x2.5	106
	14-6	7.0x25x1.5x2.5	110
	14-7	13x32x2.0x2.0	180
	14-8	7.5x28x3.0x3.0	175
	14-9	12x35x2.5x2.5	210
	14-10	14x52x4.0x5.0	460
	14-11	15x54x6.0x5.5	650
	14-12	7.5x28x1.5x2.5	120
	14-13	9.0x30x2.5x3.0	190
	14-14	9.0x35x3.0x3.0	230
	14-15	4.0x28x1.0x2.0	60
	14-16	10.5x40x2.0x4.0	295
	14-17	9.0x36x3.5x3.5	260
	14-18	8.5x30x2.0x3.5	160
	14-19	8.5x27x3.0x3.0	195
	14-20	10.5x33x3.5x2.0	250
	14-21	10.5x25x1.5x2.0	105
	14-22	11.5x41x3.5x4.0	320
	14-23	3.0x19x1.5x1.5	50
	14-24	14.5x40x2.5x3.5	280
	14-25	43x85x4.0x4.0	950
	15-1	15.5x11x6x5.5	130
	15-2	20×20.8x8x8	235
	15-3	19.5x17x8x7	290
16	18x24x13x3	260
17	14x15x22	210
	18-1	17x12x6x6	160
	18-2	11×8.5x3x4.5	75
	18-3	16x10x5x5	130
	18-4	13x8x3x4	75
	18-5	6,5×6,5×2,7×3	40
	18-6	5x6x3x3.6	35
	18-7	16x7x3x8	100
	18-8	27x28x14x10	620
19	21×20	155
20	11×6,5×2,5	50
	22-1	20x15x2	95
	22-2	19x15x2.5	100
23	6x6x1	25
26	4.5x10x10	60
	27-1	12×17	240
	27-2	17×20	385
	27-3	17×24	480
	27-4	16×12	210
	27-5	6×6	37
	27-6	7×16	115
	27-7	13×24	335
	27-8	7,5×6,1	50
27-9	19,5×11,5	220
27-10	Frost-resistant seal for hatches (fits into a frame according to customer dimensions)	700
27-11	25
29	7×7	30
30	7×5,5×5	32
31	36×8,5	90
	32-1	11x7x9	80
	32-2	9x6x9	50
	33-1	9,5×1,9	16
	33-2	9,5×1,7	16
	34-1	13×3.6x6x0.8	40
	34-2	13×4,8×6,5×1,5	55
	34-3	13×5,5×6,5×1,8	70
	34-4	14×5.5x7x2.5	65
	34-5	18.4x7x10.4x2	100
	34-6	20×4.5x14x1.5	150
35	19.5x7x4.5	80
	36-1	10x14x3x3.5	110
	36-2	10x15x4.5x2.5	90
	36-3	10x15x5x2.5	95
	36-4	11x11x5x3.5	95
	36-5	10x11x5x2.5	80
	36-6	15x18x6x4.5	200
	36-7	12x12x5x3.5	120
	36-8	12x25x5x3.5	270
	36-9	10x22x5x3	225
	36-10	6x8x2.5x1.5	40
	36-11	5x10x2x1.5	40
	36-12	16x16x10x3	160
	36-13	3.2x3x1.8x0.7	7
	36-14	4.2x6x1.3x1.5	23
	36-15	15x28x6x4	310
	37-1	21x4x1.5	45
	37-2	27x4x1	50
	37-3	25x4x1	40
	37-4	25x12x1.5	210
	38-1	8.5x13x5x2	70
	38-2	7.5x13x5.5x1	50
	38-3	7.5×9.5x5x1	35
	38-4	7x12x5x1	30
	38-5	10x13x7x1	70
39	23x8x11x3	120
	40-1	43x13x18x3	220
	40-2	44x15x21x3	270
	41-1	20x19x16x15	175
	41-2	20x17x11x10	200
42	15x18x12x10	135
43	12x7x8x4	55
44	30x18x10x9	260
	45-1	9x30x1.5x1.5	100
	45-2	9x26x1.6x1.6	90
46	23x8x3.5	115
	47-1	20x20x3.5	210
	47-2	17x17x3	160
48-1	14x24x9.5	320
48-2	16x24x9.5	288
49	26x20x21x6	440
	50-1	14.5×13.5x4x2	165
	50-2	12x10x4x2.5	90
	50-3	20x16x7x2	250
	50-4	20x16x8x4	300
	50-5	17x12x3x2.5	150
	50-6	19.5x12x3x3	170
	50-7	11x20x9x2.5	200
	50-8	16,5×14,5×5,5×2,5	190
	50-9	17x22x2x2	170
	50-10	13x15x4x2	125
	51-1	25x16x11.5x4	210
	51-2	25x16x11.5×0	210
52	31x16x20x13	290
53	11×16,5×9	150
54	9x12x4.5	60
55	15x12x12	135
56	16×16,5×18	240
	57-1	15x12x8x11	140
	57-2	22x20x10x9	295
57-3	18x15x9x9	200
58-1	15×9.5x10x5.5	120
	58-2	18x11x12x6	185
	58-3	17x11x10.5x4.5	165
59	15x31x24x5	530
	60-1	17x11x5	190
	60-2	21.5x11x5	250
61-1	19x24x25x4	320
61-2	28x32x35x7	595
62	10x11x9.5x1	85
63	28x25x20	360
64	27x6x3	130
65	12x12x3	135
66	46x17x2.5x13	250
67	15×11	85
	68-1	26x16x21	530
	68-2	27x20x13	360
	68-3	24x21x14	380
	68-4	19.5x16x17	371
	68-5	12x7x15	190
	68-6	11x7x10.5	120
	68-7	11,5×7,7×9,7	110
	68-8	11x7x15	110
	68-9	26x21x16	420
	68-10	31×23,5×10	325
	68-11	14x10x6	85
	68-12	12x10x8	—
69	25x20x18x14	315
70	25x19x14x2.5	210
71	32x12x12x2	140
72	28x24x25x9	490
73	29x19x17x8	295
74	23×21	350
75	12x14x7x4	95
	76-1	11×10,5×1	45
	76-2	9.5x15x1	50
77	11x8x6	70
	78-1	6.5x9x5.5	50
	78-2	7.5x11x6.5	70
	79-1	12.5x12x9	75
	79-2	14×14,5×10	145
80	27x17x10x8.5	290
81	31×14.5x13x10	230
82	6x8x1x2	30
83	7×10	40
84	27x27x36	430
85	10x10x5.5x2	55
86	32x24x17.5x14	620
87	10.5x19x16	195
88	24x20x17x3	310
89	8x10x14x1	55
90	28x25x14x20	260
91	5,2×11,5×1,2	50
92	15×6.5x4x1	55
93	18×12.5x7x7	185
94	18x18x3	125
95	18x25x16x10.5	210
96	18x25x16x3	150
97	12x15x14	170
98-1	15x8x11x6	80
98-2	156
99	13x20x8x1.5	200
100	16,4×7,1×3,5	70
101	10,7×12,9×4,4×4,5	70
102-1	Silicone seal for Rotor-Agro ovens	190
102-2	Silicone seal for Rotor-Agro ovens	140
103	Silicone seal for baking ovens Monsoon-Rotor models 55, 77, 99, 250, 350. Seal No. 146 is used on the bottom of the oven	180
104	Silicone seal for UNOX and FOTON ovens	230
105-1	Silicone seal for drying line	450
105-2	Heat Resistant Aging Furnace Door Seal	340
106	Silicone sealant for modular building structures Analogue VIGE 751392.118	470
107	Silicone seal for Xpeed automatic tray sealers	65
108	Silicone seal for main pipeline	730
109	Silicone seal for chipboard cabinets	20
110	Silicone seal for Autotherm thermal chamber door	260
111-1	High Temperature Silicone Profile for Packing Machine	300
111-2	High Temperature Silicone Backing for PE Film Sealing	170
112	Analogue VIGE 751392.068	300
	113-1	50x30x10	660
	113-2	46x30x16	785
114	Silicone sealant is used in the production of lamps	90
115-1	Silicone seal for wafer sheet production furnace No. 115-1	115
115-2	Silicone seal for wafer sheet production furnace No. 115-2	175
116	Silicone sealant for hatches and portholes	115
117	Silicone seal for doors of thermal chambers and smoke generators	40
118	87
119	Analogue VIGE 751392.054	225
120	33
	121-1	6.5×13.5x3x7	95
	121-2	10x20x4x12.5	240
	121-3	8.5x24x5x13	246
122-1	The fender is mounted on the side of the boat along the entire perimeter	660
122-2	The silicone seal is joined into a ring and mounted on the tank. Used in meat processing plants	1000
123	Silicone fry stirrer lid seal	235
124	53
125	Silicone seal for vacuum laminator MA-00-763	25
126	Silicone seal for hydraulic injection molding machines	85
127	Silicone sealant is used in the production of lamps	25
128	CEPI Flour Vibrating Screen Silicone Seal	490
129-1	Silicone cabin seal for a light jet trainer	130
129-2	105
130-1	Silicone seal for payment terminal	57
130-2	Silicone seal for sight glass. At the request of the client, it is joined into a ring.	160
131	Silicone seal for thick display glass	90
132	275
133	Silicone seal for SOTTORIVA proofing cabinet	250
134	Silicone sealant is used in the production of lamps	50
135	Silicone sealant is used in the production of lamps	35
136	165
137	Silicone sealant for ceiling tile gaps on ships	225
138	Silicone seal used in vacuum forming machine	505
139	380
140	650
	141-1	20x25x18x22	315
	141-2	20x25x15x22	365
	142-1	60 Shore Medium Hard Silicone Seal Used in Plastic Bag Making Machine	117
	142-2	Soft silicone seal, hardness 40 Shore, used in plastic bag making machine	117
143	Silicone seal for vacuum cover of cutter RSM-352	200
144	215
145	Silicone profile for textile industry	265
146	Silicone furnace threshold seal Monsoon Rotor. Used on all Monsoon-rotor baking ovens models 55, 77, 99, 250, 350 Installed on the bottom of the door (threshold). Along the rest of the door perimeter, seal No. 103 is used	265
147	The seal is made with a hardness of 80 Shore	80
148	112
	149-1	5,4×7,5×2,8×2,5	34
	149-2	5.5x8.2x3x2.8	36
149-3	32
150	306
151	Silicone seal for vibrating separator (vibrating sieve)	300
152	Silicone seal for convection oven	113
153	268
154	18
155	Silicone seal for vibrating separator (vibrating sieve)	260
156	137
	157-1	12,5×20,5×7,5	214
	157-2	10x24x9.5	220
	157-3	10x20x8	187
158	Silicone seal for the doors of the smoke generator of the thermal chamber for cooking and smoking AUTOTHERM	455
159	Silicone seal with resin channel	165
	160-1	14x24x9	317
	160-2	16x25x10	370
	160-3	22x27x8	600
	160-4	10x12x5	110
	160-5	12×14.5×8	135
161	Silicone seal for bread machine	281
162	Heat-resistant seal for vulcanization boiler. This seal is joined into a ring according to customer dimensions.	271
163	73
164-1	185
164-2	Heat-resistant silicone seal for the tank hatch, joined into a ring, followed by installation on the tank.	205
165	240
166	55
167	Silicone seal for vibrating separator (vibrating sieve)	161
168	Silicone seal for SOTTORIVA proofing cabinet	140
169	150
170	Used to seal the joints of chambers of ELU-20R and AELTK-8-425 installations	161
171	The seal is manufactured with a hardness of 70 Shore	351
172	405
173	Silicone seal for convection oven	100
174	260
175	Frost-resistant seal for the rear side of a garbage truck	346
176	Heat-resistant seal for injection molds ORP-STAMPI Italy	217
177	Seal for press filter	293
178	76
179-1	Gasket No. 179-1 fits into a rectangular frame to seal a double-leaf oven door	386
179-2	Gasket No. 179-2 fits into a rectangular frame to seal a double-leaf oven door	480
180	The seal is made with a hardness of 80 Shore	280
181	268
182	Silicone seal for convection oven	250
183	600
184	582
185	237
186	241
187	Heat-resistant seal for injection molds ORP-STAMPI Italy	57
188	180
189	78
190	330
191-1	Frost-resistant seal for façade sliding and lift-and-slide aluminum doors	116
191-2	Silicone seal for ZIEL equipment	175
192-1	Silicone sealant for clean rooms, installed in wall panels for clean rooms	90
192-2	Silicone sealant for clean rooms, installed in wall panels for clean rooms	110
193	125
194	250
195	Silicone sealant is used in the production of lamps (placed on the sharp edge of a metal reflector)	43
196	Silicone seal for oven door seal	388
197	Silicone cord for jewelry (used to create bracelets and necklaces). Available in glossy and matte finishes	70
198	55
199	Silicone seal used in a machine for the production of PP/PE bags	220
200	The seal is manufactured in 5m sections; other multiplicities must be agreed upon upon application.	220
201	180
	202-1	10x10x4	108
	202-2	12x12x5	154
	202-3	14x14x6	210
	202-4	15x15x7	231
	202-5	16x16x8	260
	202-6	18x18x9	325
	202-7	20x20x10	400
	202-8	22x22x11	481
	202-9	24x24x12	575
	202-10	26x26x14	650
	203-1	10x10x4	105
	203-2	12x12x5	148
	203-3	14x14x6	197
	203-4	15x15x7	217
	203-5	16x16x8	236
	203-6	18x18x9	302
	203-7	20x20x10	372
	203-8	22x22x11	451
	203-9	24x24x12	540
	203-10	26x26x14	600
204	480
205	Frost-resistant silicone seal for refrigeration tunnel	75
206	Silicone seal for vacuum sealing. At the request of the client, it is joined into a large diameter ring.	295
207	Silicone seal for the oven. Manufactured with a hardness of 80 Shore. At the request of the client, it is joined into a ring for subsequent installation on the door leaf.	200
208	Profile for sealing rings on hatches of food tankers. The seal is inserted into the groove and pressed against the hatch. We produce both by the meter and in a joined version.	300
209	Frost-resistant seal for freezer compartment	370
210	140
211	30
212	250
213	260
214	Heat-resistant seal for ALUS equipment	230
215	Seal for the spray booth (yarn dyeing). At the client's request, the profile is joined into a ring.	285
216	Autoclave lid seal. Working environment - steam up to 200oC. At the client's request, the profile is joined into a ring.	310
217	Seal with groove for air supply. At the client's request, the profile is joined into a ring.	260
218	Autoclave lid seal. The profile is joined into a ring with a circumference of 5000mm	490
219	An analogue of the Italian seal, at the request of the customer we join it into a ring.	1850
220	The heat-resistant profile is designed for gas boilers. Application temperature +300oС	145
221	250
222	75

Distinctive advantages of silicone seals

High heat and frost resistance (from -60 oC to +315 oC)

Environmental safety (silicone is inert)

High resistance to ozone, sunlight and solar radiation

High mechanical strength, elasticity and durability (at least 7 years)

Excellent electrical insulating and dielectric properties - no less than 20 kV/mm

Silicone seals are 10 to 20 times more gas permeable than organic rubber seals

Good chemical resistance to many aggressive environments (salt solutions, alcohols, phenols)

Resistance to physiological fluids, sea and fresh water (including boiling water)

Services

Prompt production of a die (for further production of a seal), in the absence of one in our assortment.

Responsible storage of the customer’s dies (for the manufacture of a special, specific seal)

Joining the seal into a ring

Docking the seal into oven frames

Providing samples for testing

Delivery throughout Russia by transport and courier companies.

Types of materials

One of the main characteristics that should be taken into account when choosing a seal is the material used to make the profile (usually rubber, silicone, PVC, thermoplastic elastomer), since each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Rubber seals

Rubber compressor

Rubber shower fittings are the simplest and most inexpensive option. In terms of durability and abrasion resistance, it is inferior to modern materials, and in addition, it can accumulate dust and dirt, but it is not without some advantages. Rubber does not allow water to pass through, is resistant to humidity, most chemicals and can withstand temperature changes from -50 to +100 degrees.

Silicone fittings

Sealant (silicone) for glass in the shower cabin

Silicone products have good performance properties, including strength, resistance to high temperatures, durability and elasticity. They are resistant to mechanical damage, do not crack or cause metal corrosion, fit well to the cabin structure, ensuring its tightness, but are more expensive than rubber fittings.

Important: when choosing a silicone sealant, you should pay attention to the absence of toxic substances in the material, otherwise they will cause fumes that are harmful to health.

One of the types of silicone sealing profiles is magnetic seals. They are produced in the form of strips of a certain shape, which are equipped with magnetic elements along their entire length. These seals are installed on the cabin doors to securely lock them in the closed position. When purchasing magnetic products, you must take into account that each of them is designed for doors that close at a specific angle (90, 135 or 180 degrees). If none of the profiles fits, it is recommended to purchase fittings with a latch, the angle of which can be adjusted independently.

Magnetic seal for shower cabin

Silicone magnetic seal

It should be noted that installing a magnetic seal on the ends of the door necessarily requires the presence of hinges without fixation and a closing mechanism. If the design is equipped with hinges with a closer and a fixed “zero” position, then a so-called thrust profile can be used to protect against leaks. It serves as both a stop for swing doors and protection against splashing water.

Profile for fastening shower glass to the wall

PVC seals

PVC profiles have almost the same advantages as silicone ones. Most often they are installed on moving parts of the cabin to ensure a tight fit. Seals made of polyvinyl chloride are not subject to deformation under the influence of high temperatures, are safe for health and do not change color during operation. A wide range of PVC seals allows you to select a product of the desired width with any cross-section.

PVC seals

Thermoplastic elastomer profile

Thermoplastic elastomer is a synthetic polymer material of the latest generation. Under normal conditions, it has the characteristics of ordinary rubber, but when the temperature rises, the products soften and resemble thermoplastic. The material has a smooth surface and a uniform structure, and after deformation it regains its original appearance. Thanks to this, sealing profiles made of this polymer are durable (the average service life is 10 years), are not subject to cracking or mechanical damage, and are practical to use. The only drawback of profiles made from this material is the high cost.

Thermoplastic elastomer seals

Important: sealing profiles for shower cabins can be soft or hard, and experts recommend using products made in the form of soft tubes. They adhere much better to the joints of the structure, ensuring complete tightness.

What is needed to organize internal sewerage

The internal sewer system collects wastewater from throughout the house and discharges it into the riser.

Sewerage accessories include:

• water seals connecting plumbing fixtures to the pipeline;
• a pipeline that discharges wastewater from the floor into the collector;
• ventilation tube;
• actually, the riser itself;
• sewer bed - a horizontal section of the pipeline through which wastewater flows further from the riser.

When laying pipes, you will need such shaped elements as revisions, tees, elbows, plugs, etc. Without them, it is impossible to ensure drainage according to all the rules.

Shaped elements

Shaped parts for sewerage can otherwise be called connecting parts; they are produced in the following configurations:

coupling - a short piece of pipe with sockets on both sides. Used to connect 2 parts of the pipeline;

adapter (reduction) – used to connect pipes of different diameters. Reduction can be coaxial or eccentric;

tee - this element is indispensable in situations where you need to create a branch extending from the main sewer system, for example, when laying out floors with your own hands;

revision - the same tee, only the outlet is closed with a plug, and the branch itself is small. Used when the sewer is clogged to clean it;

crosspiece - the purpose is the same as that of a tee, but with its help a more complex unit is organized;

• elbow
  (bend) – used when turning the pipeline;
• non-return valve
  - necessary in emergency situations, thanks to it wastewater will not flow back in the event of a malfunction of the drainage system;

plug - during repairs, used to block the sewer.

Sewer fittings are a vital element when laying out the system. Without them, it is impossible to install pipes across the floor or connect them to the riser.

Features of connecting plumbing fixtures

The connection of any plumbing fixture must be organized so that unpleasant odors from the sewer do not leak into the room. The simplest method is to connect through a water seal (or siphon).

The siphon looks like an ordinary pipe in the shape of the letter S, thanks to the water plug, protection against odors is guaranteed. If you do not plan to live in the house regularly, for example, in a country house, then you can consider other methods of protection against odors (dry sewer siphon).

Sewer repair

When repairing the above elements will not be enough. In particular, when replacing a section of a pipeline, sewer pipes will be needed.

There are often situations when part of the old pipe is rotten or simply cracked; in this case, it will be necessary to replace not the entire drainage system, but only a small section. In order to connect the new pipe to the existing drainage system, pipes are used.

Externally, the sewer pipe looks like a small section of pipe, on one side it is smooth, and on the other there is a socket. Accordingly, on the one hand, the connection is made using a socket method, on the other - in a joint, using a coupling.

Sometimes, when repairing an old cast-iron sewer, it is necessary to join plastic and cast-iron pipes. At the same time, to achieve the required tightness, one sealant is not enough. First, you will need to insert a rubber cuff into the cast-iron socket and then a plastic pipe into it.

Tightness of the junction of plumbing fixtures and pipelines

A sewer seal is used to reduce the likelihood of leaks in the area between the plumbing fixture and the pipeline. Externally, the cuff looks like a rubber ring that is placed over the joint.

To achieve greater elasticity, the cuffs do not contain polymers; only natural rubber is used for their production. True, during operation, because of this, it is necessary to use lubricant so that the rubber does not crack.

If you plan to use a rubber cuff, you will also need lubricant for sewer pipes. If you try to insert the end of the pipe into the cuff without lubrication, the rubber can be easily damaged. And after installation, the cuff must be periodically lubricated.

As for the specific lubricant, there are many options, some prefer to use automotive lubricant, which is used for rubber inserts in car doors in the winter. But even ordinary plumbing lubricant can keep the rubber safe and sound.

Seal dimensions

The thickness of the glass panels of the shower cabin can vary from 4 to 12 mm, respectively, the seals also have different thicknesses (usually 8-12 mm). Separately, it should be said about drippers, that is, seals that are installed on pallets. In this case, the height of the strip is 11-29 mm, so it should be selected depending on the design features of the plumbing.

Silicone seal for shower door. Length 183 cm

Silicone seal for shower door, length 200 cm, angle 45 degrees. Glass 6 mm

When choosing seals for shower cabins, you should make sure that there are no folds, cracks or other defects on the surface of the product, and that the profile of the fittings exactly fits the place where it will be installed.

What types of cuffs are there for sewer pipes?

This is predominantly a round wide o-ring, sometimes with a corrugated part. The cuffs are internal and external. Internal ones are used to connect socket structures, external ones - for smooth pipes (in addition to the seal, a coupling is installed).

Sealing cuffs with corrugated part

Cuffs are most often made of rubber - an elastic material that fits tightly, providing a reliable flexible connection. The shape of a part depends on its function.

Rubber cuffs

Eccentric cuff

The eccentric cuff consists of pipes connected to each other with an offset, that is, the centers of both parts are in different planes. Traditionally, the part is called a cuff, but this is a special shaped part for connecting to the toilet network. It is equipped with O-rings and does not require the use of sealant (with the exception of connection to an old cast-iron riser, when sealant is used for greater reliability, given the difference in materials).

Unfortunately, due to too much displacement of the connected elements, it is not always possible to use the eccentric cuff (although some craftsmen manage to insert one into the other, building a strange structure) - in such cases, the toilet is connected using a corrugation.

Eccentric cuff

The parts come in different configurations, but sometimes such a displacement is required that connection with their help is impossible - in such cases a corrugation is installed.

Pleated cuff

The corrugation is similar to an eccentric cuff, but the implementation of the displacement is different - it is achieved through a flexible corrugated sleeve, and not by positioning the parts relative to each other. Thus, the displacement can be large, but it is necessary to set the desired bending angle of the corrugated part so that the drains flow freely (otherwise blockages are inevitable).

Connection via corrugation

The main advantage of corrugation is flexibility. Thanks to this property of the part, it is almost always possible to connect a toilet to the sewer without errors. The main disadvantage is the short service life. Due to the same flexibility, the walls quickly wear out and the part becomes unusable. When choosing corrugation, you need to give preference to thick-walled, reinforced.

Reinforced corrugation

Installation is theoretically simple (the parts are simply inserted into each other according to the attached instructions), but we do not recommend installing them yourself (unless you have the skills): the cuff functions normally under certain conditions (bending angle, slope, stretch length), and if they are not created, the system will not work will be disrupted (which can lead to floods due to blockages).

So you won’t be able to read a newspaper/memoir while sitting on the toilet, looking out of the window from time to time - or you’ll have to erect a plumbing miracle on a pedestal and screw a ladder to it (here it’s not far from the attic window).

On a pedestal

There is a solution to this problem as well - installing a pumping system that forcibly sends wastewater into the sewer system. However, such drastic changes will require permission for redevelopment, and this is:

• development of a project (yes, just to move the toilet a few meters);
• payment for the project;
• its approval by the authorities and everything related to it;
• payment of the approval fee;
• the commission accepting the transfer of equipment (they look at how far they have moved away from the project, if they have moved away);
• payment of commission fees.

We recommend using the cuffs exclusively for their intended purpose - for connection and nothing more.

Everything is easy in the text - the text cannot convey the effort made. However, we all know what is transported by sewer pipes (that is, what will flood an apartment/house when incorrectly installed cuffs cause a flood), and therefore, when it comes to sewerage, we strongly recommend that you contact specialists, even those with restless hands

Especially when it comes to cast iron risers: cast iron is fragile - it must be handled with extreme caution

How to install the seal?

When purchasing a new shower cabin, a seal is usually included in the kit and is installed during the assembly process. It is placed in the joints between the glass and the frame, after which it is well coated with sealant.

Seals are supplied complete with the shower cabin

After assembling and installing the cabin, it is necessary to additionally seal it around the perimeter - in those places where its parts are adjacent to the walls. When performing work, it is recommended to follow the cabin manufacturer’s instructions, which indicate how and in what sequence it is necessary to assemble structural parts and install seals.

How to install the cuff correctly

The easiest way is to connect a corrugated pipe to a plastic riser. This is due to the specifics of such a joint: it is quite easy to insert an elastic band into the socket, after which the tip of the flexible pipes is placed in the hole.

A more complex option is to connect a plastic riser to a cast iron one. This is due to the fact that for a high-quality joint it is necessary to almost perfectly clean the cast iron socket from old residues of sealants and other possible contaminants.

It is not particularly difficult to join the sewer section of pipes with the presence of internal sealing collars.

The uncut type pipe end easily and simply penetrates into the socket area, in which the seal must first be correctly placed. When a section of the highway is cut, then at its end it is necessary to make a cone-shaped edge, after which the elastic will easily take its place. Plain water can be used as a lubricant.

Risers with a diameter of 110 mm (it is best to buy those manufactured by Rossiya) are more difficult to connect, even if you moisten the joint with water. Therefore, to facilitate the installation of the connecting collar, it must be lubricated with automobile oil and other available lubricants that will facilitate the installation process.

Similarly, it is possible to install valves for differential pressure regulators.

Since our hardware stores have a sufficient number of connecting adapter sleeves for metal, polypropylene, and plastic, it is not particularly difficult to assemble the pipeline hermetically. You just need to correctly determine the internal diameters. After this, connecting cast iron to plastic, plastic to plastic, or making any other connection will not be a problem.

Rubber cuffs for sewerage can be made from different materials, and there are also different types of devices. Hydraulic seals are used in industry, for equipping sewage systems in private houses, cottages and apartments.

Cuffs for cast iron sewers are made of polyurethane and rubber compounds such as rubber, paronite, silicone and rubber. In production, only 100% rubber is used, no polymer is mixed. Thanks to this composition, high elasticity, strength and tightness of fastening with the connected parts are ensured. Polymer and rubber also provide resistance to increases and decreases in temperature, are resistant to aggressive substances, and can be used when exposed to acids and with increased rigidity of working resources.

The sealing cuff for sewerage also comes in different types:

• rod;
• piston;
• universal (for rods and pistons).

Also, the rubber sealing cuff for sewerage can be internal or external. The internal seal is used in cast iron pipes to connect plastic pipes with different diameters. Also used to connect a corrugated hose to the drain of household plumbing fixtures (for example, connecting to the sewage system of a washing machine or dishwasher). The external seal, in turn, is used to connect to a socketless sewer structure.

There is also a three-leaf transitional sewer cuff, which facilitates the transition from a cast iron pipeline to a plastic one.

In what cases is it necessary to replace the seal?

Over time, even the highest quality and most reliable fittings become unusable and cease to fully perform their functions. If condensation begins to settle on the walls of the bathroom, and water flows out of the cabin, do not hesitate to replace the seal. Insufficient sealing of the cabin will lead to high humidity in the room all the time, and fungus and mold will appear (there is no point in fighting them, since they will appear again anyway). In order to replace fittings in a shower stall, it is not necessary to contact a specialist - you can do all the work yourself.

You can replace the seals in the shower stall yourself

How to care

The rules for caring for seals, regardless of the material from which they are made, are gentle cleaning with non-abrasive and non-aggressive detergents, as well as drying after taking a shower.

You need to check the ventilation system in the shower stall to see how well it works. If there is no good ventilation, then mold and fungus will develop on the inside of all small parts of the shower, including seals.

Sealing the shower stall is a must for those who want to enjoy water treatments at any time. By taking care of such simple things as high-quality finishing with seals, you guarantee comfort and long service life of an expensive shower installation.

Instructions for replacing the seal

To replace the shower cabin seal, you will need the appropriate fittings, a simple set of household chemicals (degreasers, solvent), as well as a special sealant, the choice of which should also be given special attention.

How to choose a sealant for a shower stall?

Sealant for shower cabin

In order for the seal to fit as tightly as possible to the structural parts, it is imperative to use a sealant during installation. There are several options for sealants that are used to treat shower enclosures. Polyurethane-based compositions are very popular today, but it is important to remember that some components can hopelessly damage an acrylic or plastic surface.

Helpful Hint: You can do a simple test before using the sealant. Apply a small amount of the composition to a regular plastic bag, then wait until it hardens. If the package becomes blistered or wrinkled, the material is not recommended for use on plexiglass or acrylic structures.

Another option is acrylic sealant, but it is not recommended to use it in wet areas. The optimal solution for shower stalls is silicone plumbing sealant. It not only seals all cracks and joints well, but also prevents the development of fungus and mold. The best composition for sealing a shower stall should contain at least 45% silicone rubber, the same amount of hydrophobic filler, a plasticizer, as well as special additives (fungicides, etc.).

Silicone Plumbing Sealant

Replacing the shower seal

In order for the seal to fully perform its functions and last as long as possible, it is necessary to correctly perform the work of replacing old or worn-out fittings.

Seal that needs replacing

Step 1. Remove the old seal. Usually this can be done by hand, but sometimes you have to use a knife (in this case the work must be done carefully so as not to scratch the cab panels).

The seal on the door glass is very easy to remove.

Step 2. The sealant on which the old seal was glued must be removed. The most effective and safe way is to use alcohol or alcohol-based solvents. The entire area to which the material is applied should be blotted with a cloth soaked in alcohol, after which it will become jelly-like and can be easily cleaned from the surface. If after this procedure yellow spots remain on the panels, they can also be easily removed with alcohol.

How to remove the seal at the junction with the walls

You can wipe the joint with the wall using an old toothbrush

Step 3. Rinse the treated surfaces well, treat with a degreaser and dry. In this case, it is unacceptable to use soap solutions, as they impair the adhesion of the fittings to the structural parts.

Wait until all surfaces are dry or dry them with a hairdryer

Step 4. First, the seal is mounted on the inside of the cabin. To avoid damaging the panels, their edges must be covered with masking tape or film.

On the left is a dismantled seal, on the right is a new one

Step 5. The places where the seal will be laid should be lubricated with a thin layer of sealant. Remove excess material immediately with a rag, otherwise it will be almost impossible to get rid of stains later.

Squeeze out the sealant, guiding it along the seam

Distribute the sealant along the seams

Step 6. Place the fittings tightly in the prepared areas and press them well to the surfaces.

The seal is placed with a drip towards the cabin so that drops of water flow into the pan

Move the seal until it takes the desired position on the glass

Step 7 . After laying the seal inside the cabin, you need to seal it outside in the same way.

Step 8. After installing the fittings along the entire perimeter of the cabin, the connections between the panels, tray, floor and bathroom walls need to be sealed again with sealant.

After the sealant has dried (the time is indicated in the instructions for the material), you need to check the tightness of the seals to the cabin parts. To do this, direct a stream of water to the joints - if it does not seep through the circuit, it means the installation was done correctly. If leaks are detected, problem areas should be cleaned again and treated with sealant.

Seal on glass door

Installation of seal

Seal installation

When assembling and installing the seals, the cabin is assembled in the proper order, in accordance with the instructions for the shower box.

To replace the seal you will need:

• degreaser;
• stationery knife or blade;
• sealant;
• seal.

Experts advise choosing sanitary silicone sealant that consists of at least 45% silicone rubber. A good option is polyurethane sealant, but it can ruin an acrylic or plastic surface.

Instructions for replacing the seal:

1. The sealant is removed by hand or with a knife, being careful not to scratch the surface of the glass or plastic.
2. The seal at the junction can be removed with a scraper or razor blade.
3. Surfaces cleaned of sealant must be treated with a degreaser and dried.
4. First, the seal is installed on the inside of the cabin. Sealant is applied to the desired areas.
5. Place the seal on the desired location and press it.
6. Then the sealing profile is installed outside the cabin.
7. Remove excess sealant with a dry cloth.
8. After installing the seal, the junction points are once again treated with sealant.

The sealant dries from 1 to 2 days, depending on the thickness of the layer. After drying, it is necessary to check the structure. To do this, a stream of water is directed at the treated joints. If liquid does not leak anywhere, it means the sealing is done well. If leaks are noticed, the leaking areas must be resealed.

A few useful tips will help you install or replace the seal more efficiently and professionally:

1. Calcium deposits at the junction of the seal are cleaned off using table vinegar.
2. The sealant remains in the place where the seal was. It is removed with alcohol. After processing, the composition softens and easily comes off the surface. Yellow stains are also scrubbed off in the same way.
3. If the fittings are very hardened, they are heated with a hairdryer. Under the influence of high temperatures, the profile will become more elastic.
4. There is no need to heat the seal or bend it during installation.
5. The seal is installed first on the end of the panel, and then the rest is put on.

The drip tip should be directed towards the cabin so that the moisture flows back into the pan.

Types of seals

There are 2 types of sealers for sewer pipes:

• sealing;
• transitional.

The first option ideally seals sections of sewer systems mounted from pipes of the same internal diameters.

They, in turn, are divided into:

• internal;
• external.

The products differ only in the mounting method:

• internal sealing rubber bands can easily be placed in special socket sockets, which are also called docking extensions;
• external rubber sealing parts are put on the connecting pipe, sometimes with a clamp.

Adapter sleeves are necessary for connecting plastic risers of different diameters or for changing from one material to another: for example, from cast iron to plastic 50 or 110 mm.

In such cases, cuffs 40x20, 50x20, 50x32 are most often used. With the help of such rubber bands, you can efficiently connect drain hoses, ball valves of household appliances, appliances, devices (for example, a washing machine or dishwasher, shower stalls with bathtubs, sinks with PVC pipes, etc.).

When purchasing a plastic sewer pipe, the kit includes an internal rubber seal, the price of which is included in the total price. This type of sealant is a truncated cone, the wide end of which is inserted into the plastic. The tapered end is equipped with a hole, the diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of the corrugated drain pipe from household appliances or other household devices.

Cone-shaped rubber seal

The cast iron riser fits well with the plastic using a 124x110 cuff.

Any construction products: pipes, fittings, instruments, heating devices can always be purchased at a budget price in the Leroy Merlin network of construction hypermarkets.