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networkn

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#225681 30-Nov-2017 10:47
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So sound asleep last night, we were woken to HUGE noise from our ensuite, the sound of glass breaking, metal crashing. 

 

Apparently, our glass framed shower, 9 years old, decided to spontaneously explode into a billion pieces. There is Glass EVERYWHERE. Mostly it's shattered like a windscreen, but strangely there are also *many* tiny shards all over every surface, in the towels, clothes and even under the ensuite door and carpeted area leading to the wardrobe.

 

 

 

We have contacted our insurance company. They are perplexed. Unsure if they will cover it.  Assessor coming out. 

 

The concern is the cleanup, which will need to be handled by a professional. I even found a shard of glass in my electric toothbrush head!

 

The assessor says no-one will be able to guarantee all the glass is cleaned up, but that seems crazy, I imagine there must be companies who do this all the time and have good methods? 

 

I am yet to contact the manufacturer. I think all the glass, even the door and other wall which haven't shattered will need to be replaced as it's likely they have been compromised and the same thing could happen at any time. I read a few horror stories on the net this morning. 

 

Anyone got any advice? 

 

 

 

 


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Oblivian
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  #1910958 30-Nov-2017 10:52
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That can't be well tempered glass. The idea is it's not meant to splinter if someone falls through it like your windscreen 0.o

 

Have heard of it happening however, usually when its not sealed into the framing with silicone or similar for flex and the framing warps over time pushing 1 corner to stress point in temperature shifts (like the old hole punch in the corner of a frame trick)




wellygary
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  #1910960 30-Nov-2017 10:53
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If you are worried about the future of any replacement,  get them to replace any flat sheets with Laminated safety glass (not toughened)


MikeB4
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  #1910967 30-Nov-2017 10:57
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This happened to my wife while she was staying in a hotel in Auckland. We had an oven door do the same.




networkn

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  #1910993 30-Nov-2017 11:20
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I think we are going to insist that the remaining shower panels be replaced. Apparently, the stress on the remaining pieces will be significant and likely the same thing will happen again at a later date. Does that seem consistent with reasonableness?

 

Shower manufacturer has said that shower has been discontinued 5 years ago, so they can't supply an exact replacement, so the whole shower will need to be removed and replaced with a current model anyways.

 

 

 

 


smalltrader
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  #1911016 30-Nov-2017 11:49
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Toughed Glass exploding spontaneously is actually more common that people like to believe. There are many examples on Car Sun Roof/Moon Roof (Hyundai, Kia, Mazda and many more), Oven Door and Coffee Table Top exploded spontaneously. A search on Google will show you many examples. 

 

Apparently Toughed glass are inherently stressed but what I can't understand is it has been around for many dozen of years, what hasn't the manufacturing process been sorted for this problem.


Wade
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  #1911023 30-Nov-2017 12:00
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Most likely cause is nickle-sulfide inclusion, chances of it happening to other panels is very slim

 

 


networkn

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  #1911030 30-Nov-2017 12:06
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Wade:

 

Most likely cause is nickle-sulfide inclusion, chances of it happening to other panels is very slim

 

 

 

 

Well, they were all produced at the same time using the same process presumably. Not worth the risk I would have thought. Had my kids of been in it, would have been serious injuries!


 
 
 

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pom532
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  #1911031 30-Nov-2017 12:07
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Happened to my parent's shower. I think they covered something like this on Fairgo sometime recently.


networkn

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  #1911034 30-Nov-2017 12:08
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pom532:

 

Happened to my parent's shower. I think they covered something like this on Fairgo sometime recently.

 

 

Do you recall what recourse was available? I mean, I don't really care, so long as insurance covers it, but if it won't, the repair bill could be 5K.

 

 


Stu

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  #1911035 30-Nov-2017 12:09
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Yes it is rather common, and insurance companies are aware and shouldn't muck around with sorting it out.




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Hammerer
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  #1911040 30-Nov-2017 12:12
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smalltrader:

 

Toughed Glass exploding spontaneously is actually more common that people like to believe. There are many examples on Car Sun Roof/Moon Roof (Hyundai, Kia, Mazda and many more), Oven Door and Coffee Table Top exploded spontaneously. A search on Google will show you many examples. 

 

Apparently Toughed glass are inherently stressed but what I can't understand is it has been around for many dozen of years, what hasn't the manufacturing process been sorted for this problem.

 

 

AFAIK, the problem is not the fault of the manufacturing process. Even if toughened glass is manufactured perfectly, it can still explode because this is an unavoidable result of having different pressures in the interior (less compressed) and exterior (more compressed) of the glass.

 

Exploding dinnerware and cookware/ovenware are the most common events because there are a lot more of these items and they are also exposed to temperature changes that increase the likelihood of failure.


cadman
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  #1911043 30-Nov-2017 12:14
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wellygary:

 

If you are worried about the future of any replacement,  get them to replace any flat sheets with Laminated safety glass (not toughened)

 

 

Laminated glass lets moisture in the edges of the lamination point and it shows. Stick with toughened.


cadman
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  #1911045 30-Nov-2017 12:17
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pom532:

 

Happened to my parent's shower. I think they covered something like this on Fairgo sometime recently.

 

 

That was an oven door, if it's the episode I'm thinking of.

 

It happens. An inclusion in the glass is usually the cause. Replace it and forget it. It's really no big deal.


Stu

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  #1911050 30-Nov-2017 12:20
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There's also been an exploding shower door looked at. There was an explanation but I don't recall it.




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cadman
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  #1911056 30-Nov-2017 12:31
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Stu: There's also been an exploding shower door looked at. There was an explanation but I don't recall it.

 

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/exploding-shower-glass-fears-raised-after-separate-cases

 

I haven't watched 'Fair Go' regularly for years. They dumb it down far too much and many of the stories are just about people simply lacking any common sense and being naive.


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