Useful Information

USEFUL TIPS ON MAINTAINING YOUR GLASS SHOWER DOORS

Warning 1 – Closing The Shower Enclosure Door Properly

The hinges on frameless shower door enclosures are spring-loaded. Therefore, NEVER, at any time, allow the door to slam shut! Slamming the door results can result in one of two events:

1. The seals along the vertical edges of the door could be torn off, or
2. The door could slip past the seals and become stuck towards the inside of the shower enclosure

Either one of these two instances could necessitate costly repairs. You can avoid this situation by closing the door gently, and purposefully.

Warning 2 – Harmful Cleaning Agents

Although some tile and porcelain can withstand regular use of chemical cleaners such as the plethora of daily shower cleaners and/or deep-cleaning mildew cleansers on the market, much of the natural stone and marble, as well as the shower enclosure seals, perimeter sealants and metal components can be severely damaged by these products. Even the fumes from these chemicals can damage these surfaces and will VOID THE WARRANTY ON YOUR NEW SHOWER ENCLOSURE.

Please use only cleansers that are similar in chemical make-up to those that you would use on your own body, i.e. mild soap and water.

Remember this simple rule: If it requires no effort on your part, it is probably bad for your shower enclosure.

The bottom line is that daily squeegeeing and towel drying is the easiest and safest way to maintain the beauty of your shower over an extended period of time.

Shower Doors Are Not Watertight

Correctly installed shower enclosures are designed to prevent leaks under normal shower conditions. Both excessive water pressure and shower spraying directly at the door can result in leaks, as these situations are not normal to most shower enclosures. As well, cleaning your shower enclosure with the spray nozzle also produces excessive water pressure. If puddles of water collect on the floor outside of the enclosure clean it up as soon as possible or it could damage your flooring.

Note: Shower enclosures are not designed to hold water like a bath tub. Attempting to fill a shower enclosure to the top with water can damage the enclosure.

Maintenance Is Vital!

To keep the glass of your new shower enclosure crystal clear for as long as possible be sure to clean the glass with a squeegee and towel AFTER EACH EXPOSURE TO WATER. Waiting too long between cleanings allows water spots, mold, and other things to build up. Once these elements take hold THEY CANNOT BE COMPLETELY REMOVED FROM THE GLASS.

The picture to the left, taken in March 2007, is of Scott’s 1/2″ frameless glass shower enclosure. Although it was installed in August 2002, the glass remains spotless. Scott and Theresa practice what he preaches, strictly following the maintenance procedures outlined under the Daily Use Instructions below.

The First 72 Hours After Installation Of A New Shower Enclosure Are The Most Important!

The first 72 hours after installation of your new shower enclosure are the most important. Glass doors can become misaligned quite easily. Therefore, during the first 24 hours after installation, the door and/or glass panels of your new shower enclosure SHOULD NOT BE TOUCHED in any way, as opening and closing the door could result in permanent misalignment. This will not only cause potential leaks, but will destroy the appearance of the door, as it will not line up properly with the adjacent panels.

Following completion of your new shower enclosure both the sealant and the VHB tape (very high bond) used for the seals need to cure. This process requires 72 hours. During this time the door CANNOT be exposed to ANY liquid, including water, cleansers and even steam from a bath tub in the same room. Once the seals and sealant have cured however, the door will be ready for use.

When the 72 hour curing period has passed, clean the inside of the glass with paper towels and a glass cleaner that contains no ammonia.

Next, apply Invisible Shield Protector, supplied to you by CAFSD. Surface protection products seal the pores of glass, porcelain, ceramic, plastic, polished metal, fiberglass and marble, making these surfaces water, soil and stain resistant. This product is not a substitute for toweling or squeegeeing your shower enclosure after each use. But it does help to guard against the adhesion and build-up of dirt, grime, molds, mildew, rust and mineral deposits; thereby aiding with preventative maintenance, and reducing costly cleaning, repairs and replacement.

Your initial bottle of shower protector, available only through professional glazing companies, should last for several years. When it comes time to purchase another bottle, you can either contact CAFSD or purchase a similar product from a local hardware store.

Apply the protector once every one to three months. When the water no longer beads on the surface of the glass, this is a good indication that it is time to reapply the surface protector. Simply follow the directions on the back of the bottle–spray it on and polish it off.

The First 72 Hours After Installation Of A New Shower Enclosure Are The Most Important!

The best way to insure that your new shower enclosure remains looking like new for as long as possible is to follow these guide lines:

• Designate a soft, absorbent, “shower drying” towel and the best hand-held squeegee available. Keep these items in or near your shower.
• After showering, rinse down the glass & shower walls with water, then squeegee the glass and walls of the shower enclosure. Removing this excess water is the first step to preventing future problems.
• Get as much of the water on the floor as possible to go down the drain. You can accomplish this by using the squeegee on the floor of the shower and moving all of the remaining water towards the drain.
• Towel dry the small drops of water the squeegee left behind on the glass and walls especially off all horizontal surfaces.
• Lastly, leave the shower door in the open position. This will allow any moisture still in the shower enclosure to dry naturally over the course of the day. When it is dry, you can close the shower door and enjoy the beauty of your new CAFSD shower!
• I know this sounds like a lot of work, but it only takes 3-5 minutes per day. *Once a week, wipe the vertical seals on both sides of the door with a damp towel, by pinching it lightly and pushing towards the glass surface to which they are applied. Wipe the drip rail under the shower door with a towel, starting at the hinge-side of the door wiping outward towards the handle-side of the door. DO NOT WIPE UNDER THE HINGE ITSELF; WHICH MAY CUASE DAMAGE TO THE SEAL ATTACHED TO THE HINGE. Lastly, wash the glass once a week with a non-ammonia glass cleaner, such as “Lotus Glass Cleaner.”

Towel Bar Versus Grab Bar Warning

Towel bar and handle bars are not the same as grab bars. Grab bars installed in shower enclosures can aid people with getting in and out of the bath tub or shower. They have been specifically designed to bear a lot of weight. Towel bars and handle bars, on the other hand, do not have the same stability as grab bars and should not be used in the same manner, as they were not designed to support your weight.

Therefore, do not hang from or stand on towel or handle bars. If excessive force is used, these bars could snap off, shattering your shower door.

Please instruct your small children in the proper use of towel and handle bars.

Abrasive Cleanser Warning

Do not use abrasive or acid-based cleansers on your shower enclosure. These cleansers can scar the metal and/or glass. Although this damage may not occur with a single application, it is always best to use the appropriate cleansers.

Opening And Closing Your Shower Door Warning

Do not use excessive force when opening and closing your shower enclosure. Excessive force could shatter the glass of the enclosure.

Shower Enclosure Structural Warning

Do not hang from or stand on your shower enclosure. It is was not designed to support your weight.

Thunder Warning

On extremely rare occasions, the sound vibration accompanying a lightning strike can shake glass shower doors to the point that they either shatter by themselves or are shaken into the shower door frame and shatter on impact. For this reason, as a safety precaution, shower doors are manufactured out of tempered glass, which breaks into tiny pieces.

Glass Obscurity Warning



Changing your shower door glass post-installation is an expensive proposition! Therefore, consider all important factors when deciding on obscurity level. If you have a beautiful, private view through the enclosure window, consider having your enclosure made out of clear or Starfire glass. If you prefer privacy, perhaps an obscure pattern is more appropriate. If your shower enclosure is the showpiece of your master bathroom, art glass may be the way to go.