Avoid a Shattered Shower Door With These 4 Steps
Over the years, the news has been filled with headlines regarding the seemingly spontaneous shattering of glass shower doors. Families across the world have complained that the glass shatters out of nowhere, leaving them or their children covered in cuts and scratches. This is usually because the glass used is subject to a lot of internal pressure. Fortunately, there's no need to panic if you have a glass shower door. There are multiple steps you can take to drastically reduce or even eliminate the chances of your shower door shattering. Here are 4 tips you should follow.
Repair Cracks and Chips
The first thing you need to do is have any cracks or chips in your shower door fixed immediately. Any damage like this can weaken the integrity of the glass, leaving it vulnerable to breakage or shattering. As soon as you notice a chip or a crack, call in a reputable emergency glass repair contractor to assess the problem. They'll be able to let you know how severe the damage is. A minor defect can often be patched up, but more serious damage may call for replacement of the door itself.
Install a Film Covering
Film coverings are one of the best ways to stop a glass door from shattering into tiny, dangerous pieces. This transparent covering can usually be installed by your glass repair team and turn your regular door into a laminated glass door. It's important to note that lamination will not make your door immune to breakage; strong knocks will still damage the glass. However, if the glass does happen to shatter, the film will contain all the pieces and hold them together. This prevents any injury from occurring and keeps everything neat while you wait for a replacement door to be installed.
Look Out For Attachment Issues
Anything that's attached to your glass door can cause it to shatter. This includes hinges that anchor the door to the wall and fixtures such as towel racks. If these become loose, the integrity of your glass will be weakened. Over time, this puts more and more pressure onto the door until it eventually shatters. Make sure you keep an eye out for any issues with the door attachments. Regular inspections will help you catch the problem before it gets serious.
Always Be Careful
You need to remind yourself and your kids of the ABC rule: Always Be Careful. Don't slam the shower door and avoid knocking it with things like shampoo bottles or shower heads. The less unnecessary pressure you put on your glass, the less likely it is to break.