Removing folding bath/shower doors

Clive

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Mar 18, 2010, 9:36:03 AM3/18/10

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Hi,

I need to remove a 4-piece glass folding shower door that is fixed
vertically next to the bath. On the wall is a vertically channel into
which one side of the folding door is placed. Three screws were fixed
through the channel into the door frame. I removed these screws and
the door would not come out. I have taken a very sharp craft knife and
slid it several (5?) times between the channel and the door frame.
There initially felt some resistance to the knife which I guess was
some kind of glue or mastic. Now the knife runs pretty freely between
the channel on the wall and the door frame. I still cannot pull the
door out. I have tried to level the door out from the channel at
several places. The door moves slightly in the channel but then moves
straight back into place once I stop levering. Is there some other
“trick” I need to remove these doors? I want to preserve and reuse the
doors rather than wreck them as this is a remedial bathroom make-over
due to falling tiles rather than an expensive revamp.

Regards

Clive

Peter

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Mar 18, 2010, 3:35:23 PM3/18/10

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"Clive" <clive...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:a60b31ee-15a9-4ff2...@g26g2000yqn.googlegroups.com...

Hi,

Regards

Clive

Look down into the top of the channel, is there a screw holding the channel
and the door edge together?

Peter

The Medway Handyman

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Mar 18, 2010, 4:53:27 PM3/18/10

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I've fitted quite a few shower screens & they all seem to use the same
fixing system - screws from the inside as you describe. I haven't come
across any other system.

I reckon someone has overdone the silicone and used it on the rear of the
channel. Silicone can be surprisingly strong. I think the clue is the
frame moving back into place.

--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

Lobster

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Mar 19, 2010, 3:56:58 AM3/19/10

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I agree on both counts (from my own experience). If this is the case I
think your chances of dismantling it intact will be virtually nil, I'm
afraid. I can't think of any way you could cut a seal within the
channel at the back, if you can't lever the door out without breaking
something.

David

The Medway Handyman

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Mar 19, 2010, 4:25:51 AM3/19/10

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If the OP can prize the top away & pour some silicone eater down the
channel? Might take a few attempts.

Clive

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Mar 23, 2010, 6:07:08 PM3/23/10

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>
> > I reckon someone has overdone the silicone and used it on the rear of the
> > channel. Silicone can be surprisingly strong. I think the clue is the
> > frame moving back into place.
>
> I agree on both counts (from my own experience). If this is the case I
> think your chances of dismantling it intact will be virtually nil, I'm
> afraid. I can't think of any way you could cut a seal within the
> channel at the back, if you can't lever the door out without breaking
> something.
>
> David

That all makes sense. I suppose its all a balance about fixing
something securely in the hope you won't want to remove it intact in
future.

I have chiseled right up to the tiles behind the fixing then I will
tile up to the channel , then mastic the edge between old and new
tiles. Should all be invisible and avoid the risk of breaking the
glass doors. they are deeply unattractive but another thing I can't
afford to replace.

Clive