Shower glass shattered. Can tempered glass be polished like this? Is it still safe?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Shower glass shattered. Can tempered glass be polished like this? Is it still safe?

starcub

84 posts

Master Geek

# 239901 9-Aug-2018 22:36

One of my glass shower doors shattered spontaneously. My wife and son was there in the bathroom but luckily not inside the shower box.

Called AMI the next day and they send the job to Master Glaziers who then send the job to one of its local glass installer close to my home.

They came three times on different days. First time they measured the size. Second time they brought a piece of glass and tried to install it but told my wife they needed to polish the glass (probably due to wrong measurement?). The third time was today, they installed the glass.

But as you can see, looks like the glass edge has been grind and from what I've read you can not grind a tempered glass once it's tempered. The glass edge is burr and part of the glass isn't even straight!

As comparison, this is what the other edge look like on the same glass they just installed and all other shower glasses I have.

This is what Wikipedia says

"Tempered glass must be cut to size or pressed to shape before tempering, and cannot be re-worked once tempered. Polishing the edges or drilling holes in the glass is carried out before the tempering process starts. Because of the balanced stresses in the glass, damage to any portion will eventually result in the glass shattering into thumbnail-sized pieces. The glass is most susceptible to breakage due to damage to the edge of the glass"

Some people say you can polish tempered glass upto half the thickness of the glass (which is not a lot) and I'm not sure how much they have polished it.

So I'm not sure how safe the glass they just installed is and to me it seems like a ticking time bomb.

I'm gonna call them tomorrow and ask for a replacement. What do you think?

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

# 2070969 9-Aug-2018 22:53

It can be done, very carefully, for about 2-3mm (not cut, just polished), but whoever did that job shouldn't be doing it!

The way the toughening process works is by "shrinking" (heating and cooling quickly) one side of the glass causing tension. This is normally about 4-5mm in from the edge (more on thicker glass).

But seriously, I'd tell them that's not good enough and get it replaced.

Where are you? There's not too many places that do the actual toughening in NZ, and they're very, very accurate (I worked for one of them years ago).. If you ordered a piece 687 x 2023mm, you'd get that piece, or they'd re-cut and toughen it free.

So I'd be saying the glazier has stuffed up his measuring and is trying to "fix" it without being out of pocket.

andrewNZ

2130 posts

Uber Geek

# 2070974 9-Aug-2018 23:00

2 people support this post

Call and tell them that the results are totally unacceptable.

If they don't want to rectify it, or you don't want to deal with them again, call the insurance company instead.

Location: Dunedin

Oblivian

3363 posts

Uber Geek

# 2070975 9-Aug-2018 23:03

Funny. Hot topic of MoreFMs morning show today

A heap of them now. Seem to be all hitting the 8-10yr mark and BOOM. More so in CHC.

From memory, it's not the first thread here about them either. The ones with drilled holes in them likely more to do it as the locking points don't give for frame movement (errr. EQs). And the ones that have single edge hinges are like any window you hit with a hammer on the side of.

Batman

Mad Scientist
20924 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

# 2070999 10-Aug-2018 06:23

I had a shower glass that spontaneously shattered too. Again, luckily no one was in there at the time. Also heard of oven glass shattering spontaneously too.

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

E3xtc

651 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 2071019 10-Aug-2018 08:24

without a doubt - get them back to fix it; that is beyond unacceptable!

DaveDog

300 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 2071023 10-Aug-2018 08:52

Not good enough...

I'd be ringing AMI and simply telling them that the end results aren't good enough - you have good photos that clearly show it's not great and offer to send them those.

starcub

84 posts

Master Geek

# 2071054 10-Aug-2018 09:42

Just an update.

Have spoken with the glazier and they said they will come and take the glass on Monday but probably won't be a replacement of the glass...

They will try to polish it... He said you can polish the glass edge upto 2mm.

I told him I want a new replacement and he said they will see what the manufacture says about the existing glass.

Having gone through the glass shattering experience while in the bathroom, the last thing we want to see is a defected glass that shatters again. I have 2 young children and a pregnant wife in the house and I'd like to make sure the replaced glass is up to standard.

I will insist on a new replacement...

trig42

Banana?
4856 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

# 2071072 10-Aug-2018 10:02

That is an awful job. Have you shown the pictures to your insurer? I would think they would force the Glazier to replace it.

starcub

84 posts

Master Geek

# 2071122 10-Aug-2018 10:16

trig42:

That is an awful job. Have you shown the pictures to your insurer? I would think they would force the Glazier to replace it.

I haven't talked to my insurance company yet. Just wanted to see if I can sort it out with the glazier first.

Have spoken with them this morning, they will take it away and try polish it again. So I may need to talk to my insurer about it...

starcub

84 posts

Master Geek

# 2071133 10-Aug-2018 10:17

blakamin:

It can be done, very carefully, for about 2-3mm (not cut, just polished), but whoever did that job shouldn't be doing it!

The way the toughening process works is by "shrinking" (heating and cooling quickly) one side of the glass causing tension. This is normally about 4-5mm in from the edge (more on thicker glass).

But seriously, I'd tell them that's not good enough and get it replaced.

Where are you? There's not too many places that do the actual toughening in NZ, and they're very, very accurate (I worked for one of them years ago).. If you ordered a piece 687 x 2023mm, you'd get that piece, or they'd re-cut and toughen it free.

So I'd be saying the glazier has stuffed up his measuring and is trying to "fix" it without being out of pocket.

North shore Auckland.

That's what I'd expect. Getting the exact size as you can't cut tempered glass once it's tempered.

Coil

6615 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

# 2071153 10-Aug-2018 10:59

starcub:

blakamin:

It can be done, very carefully, for about 2-3mm (not cut, just polished), but whoever did that job shouldn't be doing it!

The way the toughening process works is by "shrinking" (heating and cooling quickly) one side of the glass causing tension. This is normally about 4-5mm in from the edge (more on thicker glass).

But seriously, I'd tell them that's not good enough and get it replaced.

Where are you? There's not too many places that do the actual toughening in NZ, and they're very, very accurate (I worked for one of them years ago).. If you ordered a piece 687 x 2023mm, you'd get that piece, or they'd re-cut and toughen it free.

So I'd be saying the glazier has stuffed up his measuring and is trying to "fix" it without being out of pocket.

North shore Auckland.

That's what I'd expect. Getting the exact size as you can't cut tempered glass once it's tempered.

Tell them its either a new piece or to put the job on hold and go above and beyond them. If they are on this list https://www.masterglaziers.co.nz/master-glaziers-network then report them to there. Otherwise advise insurance then walk into small claims lol...

FineWine

961 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

# 2071260 10-Aug-2018 13:02

That is appalling workmanship.

I can feel a tribunal claim coming on.

If you are a member of Consumer NZ have a chat with them including the photos.

Their Consumer Guarantees Act page.

He is a link to their templates for letters-about-services

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DaveDog

300 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 2071285 10-Aug-2018 13:33

I'm not sure that you need to deal with the glazier at all... Earlier on you've said that AMI have organised them for you.

That being the case it may be easier for you do deal with AMI directly and let them deal with their supplier.

starcub

84 posts

Master Geek

# 2071347 10-Aug-2018 14:12

DaveDog:

I'm not sure that you need to deal with the glazier at all... Earlier on you've said that AMI have organised them for you.

That being the case it may be easier for you do deal with AMI directly and let them deal with their supplier.

Yes, AMI organised them for me.

I thought it was easier to contact them and let them rectify it but now I think I should've just called AMI...

If they want to be dodgy, they could have put the burr edge on the bottom which is covered and sealed by aluminum cover and lots of glue so I wouldn't even know this... Or they could take this glass and install to another person's bathroom...

I guess it's a good idea to always check the glass yourself before it's installed... since when do we need to do this in NZ...

andrewNZ

2130 posts

Uber Geek

# 2071494 10-Aug-2018 19:30

I'd be talking to the insurance company now.

These guys have already "polished" the edge once. If you are going to let them fix it: I'd be insisting on new glass, and the oppertunity to inspect it immediately before installation.

Location: Dunedin