Remember that time you had your glass shower door installed? I bet you do! Any time you stepped in, you probably couldn’t stop appreciating the enhanced aesthetic appeal it gave your bathroom.
But with time, your once pristine shower glass began to lose its appeal. Maybe it is a crack or slight discoloration, your glass shower door is no longer the perfect bathroom addition it once was.
Sometimes, fixing your glass door might be all you need. But other times, a glass door repair may be a waste of your time and money. So, what exactly should you look out for to know when it is best to replace your glass shower door?
The Appearance of Cracks or Chips in the Door
As you probably know, glass is susceptible to cracking and chipping. The primary cause of cracks in glass doors is thermal stress. The alternate heating and cooling of steam in the bathroom cause the glass to expand and contrast. This may eventually lead to a crack. Cracks and chips can also arise when a hard object hits the glass, probably due to an accident.
When the cracks are still small, glass technicians can fill them up. But if these small cracks and chips are neglected, the damage slowly begins to expand to other parts of the glass. And if it becomes severe enough, the glass door could shatter.
Once you have large cracks and chips in your glass shower door, your best bet is to replace your glass door to avoid the risk of breakage and injury.
Outdated Design
When did your install your current glass shower door? 20 years ago? If it has been that long, it is probably time for a change, unless you would rather live in the “Stone Age”. I know that when you installed it, it was probably what was in vogue. But today, it is history.
And you know what? An old-fashioned glass door in a stylish bathroom can detract from the overall aesthetics. So, to keep up with the trend, you might need to update your glass door with a new one. Asides from giving your bathroom new life, it will also increase your home’s resale value. A win-win situation!
Discolored Glass
Part of what’s special about a new glass shower door is how it sparkles under the light. But over time, the glass can become discolored. And the result is a cloudy or grungy look.
Glass discoloration is usually caused by excessive moisture in the bathroom. This water bonds with soap particles to form mold and dirt that will gradually accumulate on the glass. That’s why you have probably heard a thousand times why it’s important to clean your shower glass with a squeegee after every shower.
Anyways, as the mold and soap scums stay for longer on the glass, they evolve into tough stains. And if you have hard water running through your shower, the buildup can be quicker due to mineral deposits. All of this eventually leads to discoloration.
You can use some cleaners to remove the buildup. But sometimes, the buildup is too thick that no amount of cleaning would remove the discoloration. When that happens, installing a new glass shower door is the only way to restore the sparkly touch to your glass door.
Rust on Hardware
Glass is not the only component in your shower door. Even a frameless glass shower door comes with some metal fittings, like handles and hinges. These metal fittings are susceptible to rust when exposed to water.
As the rust builds up, it weakens the door’s fit over time. The framing can become too weak that it can no longer support the weight of the glass door. If this happens, the glass door could fall and shatter.
To prevent this, when you start to notice red and brown patches along with the hardware fittings on your door, it’s prudent to invite a glass professional for an inspection. Depending on the severity of the issue, you might need to replace your glass shower door.
Leaks
One of the primary functions of a shower door is to keep water inside the shower. If you start noticing puddles on your bathroom floor, it’s an indication that the gaskets and seals might be out of shape. This could, in turn, result in serious issues like flooding or damaged floors. What’s more, it poses a significant slipping hazard.
Repairs to fix leakages can be costly, depending on the specific scenario. However, replacing your glass shower door is a great way to avoid costly repairs.
If you are in or around the Salt Lake City area, and are in need of glass shower door installation, recommendations or general information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us here. We look forward to working with you on your next project.
