What to Do If Your Shower Door Breaks

Shower glass breakage is alarming—and requires immediate, careful response. According to CPSC guidance, here's what to do and not do.

Immediate Safety Steps

According to FGIA and CPSC:

1. Don't Move (If You're in the Shower)

• Glass may be under your feet
• Wait for someone to bring you shoes or clear a path
• If alone, carefully assess before moving

2. Protect Your Feet

• Do not walk barefoot in the area
• Wear thick-soled shoes before entering
• Glass fragments spread further than expected

3. Stop Water Flow

• Turn off shower
• Don't let water spread glass fragments

4. Check for Injuries

• Tempered glass can still cut
• Small fragments may be embedded in skin
• Seek medical attention for any cuts

Understanding What Happened

According to CPSC, tempered glass breakage can result from:

Impact: Something hit the glass (body, door handle, dropped item)

Thermal stress: Extreme temperature differential (rare in showers)

Edge damage: Previous chip or damage propagated

Spontaneous failure: Nickel sulfide inclusion (rare but documented)

Improper installation: Stress from hardware or frame contact

Cleanup Process

According to FGIA cleanup guidance:

What You'll Need

• Heavy work gloves
• Thick-soled shoes
• Stiff broom and dustpan
• Wet paper towels
• Flashlight (to spot small fragments)
• Heavy-duty trash bags

Cleanup Steps

1. Put on protective gear
2. Remove large fragments carefully
3. Sweep thoroughly (twice)
4. Wipe with damp paper towels to catch small pieces
5. Use flashlight at angle to spot remaining fragments
6. Repeat wiping until no glass visible
7. Check drain for fragments

Often Missed Areas

• Inside tracks and channels
• Along baseboards
• In grout lines
• Behind fixtures
• On towels and bath mats nearby

Getting Replacement

According to FGIA guidance:

Temporary Measures

• Block off shower/tub use
• Use alternative bathing (other bathroom, gym, etc.)
• Don't attempt DIY glass installation

Professional Replacement

• Call glass company for assessment
• May need complete measurement for custom fit
• Typical lead time: 1-3 weeks for custom frameless
• Stock sizes may be available sooner

Insurance Considerations

• Document damage with photos
• Check homeowner's policy for glass coverage
• Deductible may exceed replacement cost
• Save broken glass marking if possible (shows compliance)

Preventing Future Breakage

According to CPSC and FGIA:

• Use quality safety glass (properly certified)
• Professional installation with proper hardware
• Don't allow objects to strike glass
• Maintain hardware to prevent stress
• Address any chips immediately

The Bottom Line

Shower glass breakage is serious but manageable with proper response. According to CPSC, the most important thing is protecting yourself from injury—then addressing cleanup and replacement carefully.

*For complete safety information, see: [Shower Door Safety](/guides/shower-door-safety)*