After a long, stressful day at work, nothing beats a nice, hot shower. But, as you are rinsing away the cares and tension of the day, your glass shower door shatters into what appears to be millions of tiny pieces. How did this even happen?
You can enhance the elegance of your bathroom design with the beauty of a glass shower door. A set of sliding shower doors, a swinging shower door, or a frameless glass shower are excellent ways to showcase your stylish shower.
However, like with any moving parts, these doors are not without flaws. The problem could be as simple as a loose screw or as serious as the glass shattering.
Hopefully, you will never have to deal with a damaged shower door, but if you do, it is important to know what to do and what not to do when dealing with a shattered glass door. Fixes can be simple or something more complicated. So, when working with glass, it is best to seek professional assistance.
Here are a few reasons why a glass shower door can break and what you should do if it happens to you.
Imperfections in the Glass
You may have heard about instances of glass doors shattering on their own. But what was the cause? In some circumstances, it can be due to the tempering process of the glass.
Nickel sulfide imperfections in the glass can cause spontaneous shattering. The inclusions can increase and produce stress over time, which can break under heat or other stress factors. However, these are rare situations that should not prevent you from installing a glass shower in your home.
Improper Installation
Glass shower doors can break when installed incorrectly. When you open the door, it may fall out of the hinges or slip off the track if not secure and in place. Damaged parts, like rubber stoppers or bottom runners, can also lead to the glass door breaking.
Regularly inspect your shower door glass to safeguard yourself and your family from the risk of shattering. You will need to ensure that the bolts and fittings on the frame and hardware are secure. Be sure to check the edges of your glass door for cracks or chips that could cause the glass to break.
It is also important not to slam your shower door and avoid using the towel bars or door handles as a safety grab. If you do this, you might put additional strain on the glass, weakening it.
Sometimes, It Happens
The tensile strength of a glass shower door gets altered during the heating process, which is also known as tempering. This provides the glass with more resistance to direct impact. But, it will also make it more vulnerable to a side impact.
To put it another way, if you dropped the glass door on its side, it would shatter in an instant. You probably haven’t dropped your glass shower door on its side, but it could have sustained damage by normal use.
This can result in minor glass fractures. While one fracture may not appear to be a lethal blow, many little cracks can develop over days or even hours, causing your glass shower door to shatter.
Imperfections, improper installation, and pre-existing damage can all cause your glass shower door to shatter. When having glass fixed or fitted, it’s always a good idea to go with a reputable and well-reviewed glass professional to guarantee the job is done right and the glass is of high quality.
Is a Tempered Glass Shower Door Safe?
In short, yes. Tempered glass is made to shatter into little fragments rather than large shards. This design is to protect the consumer by causing minimal injury should a shattering take place.
It is prone to breaking if pressure is applied to the edge of the glass shower screen or door. If your glass door does break, try not to panic. To minimize the risk of injury, avoid standing on the glass as much as possible, grab a towel, and exit the bathroom.
Remember, the design of the tempered glass is to break with minimal damage as a result. Tempered glass is also classified as a safety glass due to the heat treatment process. It’s the same glass that’s in your automobile and on your phone’s display.
When tempered glass cracks, it shatters into a slew of small fragments rather than in large jagged shards. Even if you get a few minor cuts and scrapes, it’s still better than the prospect of getting pierced by a large sharp piece of glass – especially when you are in the shower.
Steps to Prevent Breaking Your Glass Shower Door
There are a few steps you can take to help reduce the rare risk of your shower door shattering:
- Inspect the edges of your shower doors for any signs of damage on a regular basis
- Have safety film installed on your glass door
- Avoid slamming the shower door and be gentle closing it
- Have repairs made as soon as possible if you find chips or cracks in the glass
Get It Fixed
So, what should you do if your glass shower door breaks? If you’re in the shower when it shatters, put down a towel to keep from stepping on the broken glass. Get some help cleaning up the glass as soon as possible.
Once you’ve managed to navigate your way out of the danger zone, you need to call a professional. Your shower door can be replaced, so no need to worry about that. The glass pros know how to replace your door, and if you’re covered by a guarantee, it might not even cost you anything!
Leave It to the Professionals
It is best to leave your glass shower door repair or glass shower enclosure replacement to the experts. Don’t know where to find the nearest shower door professional? We can help!
We’re a group of experts who specialize in glass installation and replacement. We have the most competitive prices in Las Vegas, and we know that you will be pleased with our service, efficiency, and competitive rates. Contact us, or check out our Blog section for helpful information.