Issues with semi-frameless shower door

[jb1982]

Dear forum members

As per the attached photos I am having some issues with a semi-frameless shower door that was fitted by (highly competent) bathroom fitters.

I have checked the level of the side panels, and aside from minute bias towards the centre, which I believe is entirely due to the weight of the door in its current state pulling it inwards slightly, it is bang on level at the top and along each vertical – i.e. fitted as per instructions.

It therefore appears the top bracket is simply not sufficient to hold the weight of the door. Alarmingly, the bolts look close to shearing off and the guide has totally split at one end (it’s actually worse than the photos convey).

I have been in contact with the manufacturer (who shall remain nameless) but after nearly two weeks of email too and froing and failed phone calls, they are now saying it will take until the new year until they send someone to look at it. Considering the current state, I am very worried about it collapsing within days and at best causing a lot of damage, at worst serious injury. I can’t say I have been that impressed so far. It cost about £800 and has only been in use for just over a year (the guarantee is supposed to be 10 years).

Any advice/experiences with these sorts of doors?

I will keep you posted on any progress.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dan]

Other than taking it down I'm not sure what you can do. Might be over tightened and it's just taken a while to warp and whatnot with the heating and cooling of the metal.

You need them to come look at it though I guess so if you can leave it and avoid touching it and wait for them I'm sure they'll sort it.

 

[jb1982]

Thanks for you reply Dan. I think there was an issue from the start with it dropping slightly under the weight, it's just got worse over time until I suddenly realised it looks like it's about to completely break.

I guess one question is if I have to take it down for safety how heavy is the door likely to be? It's 10 mm and 2 metres tall so I am guessing this is not a one man lift?

I'd love to simply leave it for the manufacturer to assess it but it really is worrying me. To a lesser extent, but annoying nonetheless, we are also without the shower in the meantime.

 

[Dan]

They're not usually too heavy to be honest. But if you're worried, get the mrs or a friend to help or something. You might need somebody to steady it while you carefully unscrew everything so you have all the parts in tact to show the manufacturer or whatever.

I used to help my dad install windows a long time ago and those lads would carry large double glazing up ladders on their own. It usually isn't too heavy just awkward. It's reinforced with laminate too so if you dropped it I doubt it'd smash, might crack but not smash. Still, you don't want it to happen as you need to show people, but if it seems like it's dropping while you're undoing it, don't bottle it and run off letting it fall. It's toughened and laminated. It'd break your bath/tiles/floor before it broke its self usually.

 

[WetSaw]

Get some thick cardboard or dustsheets on the tray/tiles etc in case you have to put it down when you take it off.

 

[Chalker]

Is it from better bathrooms? If it is, they won't be sending anyone out. I refuse to fit anthing of theirs. Did two seperate bathrooms and had bother with just about everthing.

 

[One Day]

I just installed a load of "gubbins" from Better Bathrooms (oxymoron company name!)
I say gubbins - meaning - utter rubbish.
The quality was SO bad. I think they must share a factory with Kinder Surprise.

Having said that, I've also bad experiences with Porcelanosa's Noken range.
Everything mass produced is so profit-squeezed they use terrible fixings and fixtures, very low grade.

If it IS Better Bathrooms - my advice would be go straight down the legal route - trading standards / solicitors letter...

 

[Dumbo]

Is it a Merlin 10

 

[Qwerty]

It looks like a Merlyn copy to me. I've never seen any enclosure fail in this way. The sheer weight of the glass on the runners has caused the break. Bad design

 

[smokie899]

Fitted lots of doors to the stage were I was fitting them for two plumbers. Hate them, but love a challange.
Had to go out yesterday to help a one fit a frameless door after he give up after 4 hours lol.
From what I can see in pic 3 your door has dropped about 5-6mm this usually will happen if the plastic washer has not been fitted.
The washer would go into the frame or door hole so either can be connected togather. 1st it protects the glass from contact with the metal screw but it also fills the void where it fits so say screw/bolt is about 3 1/2 mm the hole is usually about 10mm that's 7 1/2 mm differnce and from what I can see would be about right in your case.
When the washer is not fitted and screw/bolt tightend the door will hold but then with time fall to fill the void where the washer would be.
The damage where the metal is shearing appears to be the door stopper. The damaged part might just be a cover which usually just hides screws/bolts and it may still be tight or need tightened.
They usually damage if you open/close the doors to a bit hard as many small knocks is a bad a a large knock.
If your door has dropped it may be out of line which means either top or bottom stopper will always take the brunt as both won't connect at the same time.
Again this would suggest the washer being left out and I've knowing them to be left out on purpose to get everything level/ flush.
If you take the door off a small plastic or hard resin washer should be where all holes in glass is, except handles as they are usually rubber. If not you have your problem which is not manufacturers fault but fitters.
If it's there I'm hiding lol

 

[smokie899]

It looks like a Merlyn copy to me. I've never seen any enclosure fail in this way. The sheer weight of the glass on the runners has caused the break. Bad design

Dont think its been caused by weight as its not weight bearing its only there for the door to stop.
On closer inspection from what i can see, i think someone may have pushed tge stopper bracket in, because it isnt making good contact with the the runner which the stopper is on, and cracked it. Ive worked with cheap ones and expensive ones and one things for certian, tgey are all made out of cheap alloy which bends, buckles, scratches and brake way to easy.
No matter how expensive they are.
Kno by experience

 

[Dumbo]

Dont think its been caused by weight as its not weight bearing its only there for the door to stop.
On closer inspection from what i can see, i think someone may have pushed tge stopper bracket in, because it isnt making good contact with the the runner which the stopper is on, and cracked it. Ive worked with cheap ones and expensive ones and one things for certian, tgey are all made out of cheap alloy which bends, buckles, scratches and brake way to easy.
No matter how expensive they are.
Kno by experience

I've got a merlyn 10 at home very similar design quadrant and it is very good . To be honest couldn't fault .