Signs That Glass Shower Doors Need Attention
Everyday use can impact the quality of your glass fixtures. Keep an eye out for these signs that your glass doors need some attention:
Functionality Issues
Your glass shower enclosure should not be difficult to open or close. Pay attention to how the glass door feels as it swings open and closed. Is it harder to close than it used to be? Has it stopped swinging or sliding smoothly? Does it squeak or make noises that it didn't make when it was new?
Regularly using your shower will naturally expose the hinges of the door to water. Eventually, this exposure makes it likely for rust to build up in the hinges or rollers.
Evaporating water can also leave mineral deposits in the hinges, leading to similar results. If you don't have a water softener system in your home, calcium and magnesium can eventually cause problems with your shower. Hard water can create a gritty, grinding feel in the hinges and rollers. It can also make the glass difficult to clean, resulting in a spotted, opaque look.
Even if rust and hard water deposits aren't the problem, repeated use causes wear on the door's hinges or rollers. Parts that are manufactured with precision can still become loose over time, leading to uneven function and creating spaces for grime and mineral buildup.
Visible Damage
Your glass shower enclosure may be battered or stressed from everyday use. While gradual wear and tear are normal, sometimes the damage can affect the integrity of the glass. To be safe, examine your doors periodically for damage.
Glass expands and contracts as the environment warms and cools. If there are cracks in the glass, the stress produced by temperature changes can worsen the damage over time. Beyond a flawed appearance, cracked or broken glass often creates sharp edges that could injure you or your family members. It is best if you replace cracked and broken glass promptly.
Water Damage and Mold
A glass shower enclosure should keep water inside and away from the walls and other bathroom fixtures. As with the rollers or hinges of your door, sometimes the seals that prevent leakage can wear down. Failing seals can lead to discrete leaks and damage the walls or sub-flooring of your bathroom. If you notice water in places it shouldn't be, the source should be dealt with promptly. If left unchecked, water damage can lead to costly repairs.
Worse, wet areas in your bathroom can also become breeding grounds for mold. Many molds can harm you and your family and even lead to serious health issues.
Noticeable Blemishes
Even if your glass shower door isn't damaged or leaking, normal wear and tear can detract from the appearance of the glass. Cleaning your showers with abrasive cleaners or scrubbing pads can sometimes leave scratches on the surface of the glass. These scratches may cause the glass to lose its shine and retain dirt and other grime.
Grime can make the glass more difficult to clean and diminish the attractive finish of your shower. It may be time to replace your door if you notice deep scratching or patches where the glass isn't as clear anymore.
Outdated Style
People sometimes consider replacing their glass doors to modernize their homes. With trends and styles always changing over time, the look of your glass door might not match the style you want for your home. Replacing your glass door can help you achieve the look and feel you want for your living space.
Let Us Help
If you are facing any of these problems with your glass doors, we can help. Our professional technicians have years of experience with glass shower doors and enclosures at Allied Glass and Mirror. We will create a custom shower enclosure just right for your bathroom—even if the space is an unusual shape.
We are dedicated to providing our clients with excellent customer service from the moment you contact us until after your new shower is complete. With our fast service, upfront pricing, and industry expertise, you can be confident that you will be happy with your new shower door for years to come.