It’s the middle of summer and the last thing you want to do is clean up a shattered shower door. Unfortunately, it happens to the best of us. If this happens to you, don’t worry – I am here to help!
When your shower door shatters and spreads, first you need to keep yourself calm and wear safety equipment. Then, remove the large shards with gloves on hand. Collect off the glass pieces on one side with a broom and scoop them up with a dustpan. To get rid of the remaining tiny particles, you can use a damp towel, vacuum, or duct tape. Lastly, clean the area with soap and water.
Further, in this post, we will discuss the reasons why a shower door shatters. Then, I will walk you through the steps on how to clean up the shattered glass so that your bathroom can be back to normal in no time!
What causes a Shower Door to Shatter?
Everything happens due to a cause; so does the shower door. Here’s the list of possible reasons that are responsible for causing the trouble.
It is Hit too hard
The most common reason is that the door was hit with too much force. This can happen if someone accidentally bumps into it or if something falls and hits the door.
Due to temperature changes
Another reason why your shower door may have shattered is because of a temperature change. If the door is exposed to extreme cold or heat, it can cause the glass to shatter.
Manufacturing defect
In some rare cases, the shower door may have shattered because of a manufacturing defect. If this is the case, you should contact the company that made the door and see if they will replace it for you.
Incorrect Installation
Lastly, if the shower door was not installed correctly, it may also cause the glass to shatter. This is usually not the case, but it’s something to keep in mind.
How to Clean Up Shattered Shower Door?
Now that we have gone over what can cause a shower door to shatter, let’s talk about how to clean up the mess!
Take Safety Precautions
Before you start cleaning up the glass, it’s important to take some safety precautions.
Get out of the messed-up area carefully. Then, come back and make sure that you are wearing gloves and long sleeves to protect your skin from cuts.
Remove the Biggest Shards
The shower door is usually built from tempered glass, which explodes into several tiny pieces. However, if your door is made from frosted glass, it may break into big shards and small pieces.
With your gloves on, remove the big glass pieces from the area so that you don’t accidentally cut yourself. You can throw collect them in a plastic bag and dispose of them later.
Use the Broom and Dustpan Combo
When the glass door explodes, you know that the glass pieces will scatter throughout the bathroom. They might be in the sink, in the bathtub, and on the floor.
Take a broom, and try to pile up all of the glass pieces on the side. Start by sweeping the glass into a pile and then use the dustpan to scoop it up.
I know that the broom will not be able to catch all of these glass pieces. However, you will be able to remove up to 80 to 90% glass chips. The remaining can be removed by using the following methods.
Get Rid of Small & Tiny Glass Pieces
Now, you need to get rid of the very small particles, that the broom couldn’t pick.
- Use a Wet Towel
The first method is to collect these small particles with a wet towel. Simply dampen a towel with water, then run it over the floor, sink, and bathtub one by one. The damp cloth will automatically attract small pieces of glass on its surface. Once you are done, drop them into the garbage can.
- Use Vacuum
Another option to pick small pieces of glass is vacuuming the area. This way you don’t have to wipe off all the water accessories with your hands.
- Use Duct Tape
Duct tape can also be of great use when you are dealing with glass chips. Both masking tape and duct tape can accomplish the task. But duct tape is frequently chosen since it is thicker and gives more protection.
Wrap the adhesive tape around the gloved hand with its sticky side out. Then, run your hand over the small glass stick to the adhesive. When you are finished, carefully take the tape off and discard it.
Clean the Area with Soap and Water
Once you have gotten rid of tiny fragments, it is important to clean them with soap and water. This will help to remove any germs or bacteria that may be on the floor.
FAQs
Now, let’s answer some frequently asked questions regarding cleaning up the shattered glass door.
What is the Shower door made of?
Most shower doors are made up of tempered glass. However, the doors made out of frosted glass are also available. If you are to choose between these two; tempered and frosted glass, choose the former one since it has more strength.
What is the best way to clean up the glass mess?
The best way to clean up the glass is to use a broom and dustpan combo to remove the big pieces and then use a wet towel to pick up the small shards.
How does the shower door shatter in the first place?
Glass is a brittle material which means it will shatter to pieces when hit hard. So, if your door was hit with too much force it will surely break into pieces. However, it can also happen due to a change in temperature or a manufacturing defect.
Can all vacuum cleaners pick up glass pieces?
Not all vacuum cleans can handle glass chips. Certain vacuums can pick up tiny shards of glass, while others may not be able to remove bigger bits of glass effectively. To make sure your vacuum is able to clean up after shattered glass check with the manufacturer’s manual.
How to prevent a glass door from exploding?
To prevent your glass door from exploding.
- Use it gently
- Avoid slamming it hard
- Add a safety film to the glass
- Add a rubber film on the edges
- Keep an eye on the door cracks and chips, and act promptly
Final Words
If your shower door shatters, it can be a daunting task to clean up the mess. However, it’s important to take some safety precautions before you start and then follow these mentioned simple steps to get the job done.
Do you have any more tips for cleaning up a shattered shower door? Let us know in the comments below!
Amos Christen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Drexel University — Philadelphia, PA. Since 2003, Amos has worked with top interior design professionals in this area, including architects and interior/graphic/lighting designers. As a skilled interior designer, Amos Christen is highly versed in fine arts and crafts and uses that to supplement his main area of expertise. He often publishes articles related to home décor on several websites, including Sprucetoilets.com, Sprucebathroom.com, and Mybesuitedhome.com. He also contributes to leading interior design magazines.