defrocked warped primitive finds it easier to pull out than to put in

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1158199

Oh my.

CTyankee (26,347 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

getting rid of glass shower doors

Is this a relatively simple thing to do?

My husband is recuperating from spinal surgery (his second in two years) and his occup. therapist is recommending we get rid of the glass shower doors and giving him a transfer bench. Is this something that a good handyman could do? I do not have the skill myself nor do I have anyone in my family who is that experienced.

If it is a simple job, really just removing the frame and carefully carrying out the doors, then perhaps my son could help out even without much mechanical expertise (he is a prosecutor!).

Is it more complicated than what I think it is?

The defrocked warped primitive, she with the face like Hindenburg's:

Warpy (61,926 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

1. I've had to pull mine out several times to regrout the tile underneath, paint it, and fix the shower door arrangement. I've often toyed with the idea of getting rid of them completely, but it's just so convenient to squeegee them off after a shower and have that as the only necessary maintenance rather than having to cope with a shower curtain covered with limescale and worse.

The side posts are screwed into the wall surface and once you pull them down, you'll have to fill that surface. The problem is getting anything but white to match correctly and that's what a professional can do for you.

Other than that, it's just a question of lifting heavy doors off the track, popping the top off (I tap it with a rubber mallet), and unscrewing the sides. The bottom track is usually sitting on a bed of caulk, so once you manage to chivvy it off with a thin blade scraper, you'll have to gently scrape the residue off the tub. It's not difficult.

They're actually easier to pull out than they are to put in.

CTyankee (26,347 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

2. Thanks. I think this is a bit beyond us so maybe my handyman can do it...

I was afraid of the caulk residue as that looks just awful. But perhaps this guy could do a good job of it so it doesn't look weird...

FSogol (10,908 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

3. A razor knife and some solvent can remove the caulk residue.

Some rubbing alcohol can remove mold and clean the surface. You'll need a piece of trim or rubber grommets to cover holes under the frame. You could also just fill the holes with grout. Probably an easy job for a handyman.

CTyankee (26,347 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

4. Can one strong guy do this or would it take a couple of people?

FSogol (10,908 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

5. Hard to say over the web.

Tempered glass is heavy, so the answer would be: probably.

NEOhiodemocrat (653 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

7. I took mine out years ago

It was an easy job, I think you could do it yourself! Especially if your son can help with the hauling the doors out. Mine were not especially heavy and the small amount of grouting left on the wall where the frame set in was very easy to remove with a putty knife and some elbow grease. I did it just because I was tired of them and was a 50 something year old lady with no experience and no problem. I wouldn't pay much to have it done, that is for sure.

CTyankee (26,347 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

8. I would probably screw up too much! That's just me, not a very technical person in any way!

However, I have other talents...

At this point and at my age it will have to be farmed out. Hopefully, it won't cost an arm and a leg but we set aside money now for just such expenses, as we age (we are a bit too old to try doing this).

The old dude:

Stinky The Clown (44,419 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

9. An easy way to cut through the caulk holding the tracks in place . . . .

If the installer used a lot of caulk, removal could be a really tough job. That caulk is tenacious! It is almost impossible to cut it, given the width track covering it. Pulling the track up is also close to impossible as that stuff is strong, too.

The old Mafia hitmen used to use a little device called a garrotte. It looks like this.

after which a photograph of one of the tools of the old dude's trade

You can fashion one from some galvanized wire and two small lengths of wooden dowel. Cut the wire about 24" to 30" long. Wrap each end around the dowels, to make handles. (See the picture.)

In practice, get a path cleared so you can get the wire between the rail and the tub or wall, and into the caulk. Then just saw back and forth with the wire, cutting through the caulk.

[zeitgeist]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1158199

Oh my.

The defrocked warped primitive, she with the face like Hindenburg's:

The old dude:

Then too you can leave the frame in place and just use the xfer chair over it and use a friction mount shower curtain.  When you no longer need the chair just put the doors back.  (Which is what we did for my mother (may she rest in peace) years ago. 

That said I may replace the doors and tub with one of the step in sitz tubs my own use in the future.  They are no panacea as they take time to fill and empty leaving one waiting inside as this occurs I would suppose. (and they are 'spensive)   

[BEG]

Warpy (61,926 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

1. I've had to pull mine out several times to regrout the tile underneath, paint it, and fix the shower door arrangement. I've often toyed with the idea of getting rid of them completely, but it's just so convenient to squeegee them off after a shower and have that as the only necessary maintenance rather than having to cope with a shower curtain covered with limescale and worse.

The side posts are screwed into the wall surface and once you pull them down, you'll have to fill that surface. The problem is getting anything but white to match correctly and that's what a professional can do for you.

Other than that, it's just a question of lifting heavy doors off the track, popping the top off (I tap it with a rubber mallet), and unscrewing the sides. The bottom track is usually sitting on a bed of caulk, so once you manage to chivvy it off with a thin blade scraper, you'll have to gently scrape the residue off the tub. It's not difficult.

They're actually easier to pull out than they are to put in.

First let me say I HATE regular shower doors that you use with a bathtub/shower combo. Second let me say that Warpy is an idiot and her house probably looks like Sherry's from Hoarders (see other DUmmie thread for reference).

Warpy, just use a liner (preferably a thick white fabric liner) with the shower curtain. Take it off every so often and wash it with bleach with your towels. It will look and smell brand new. Oh and I highly doubt you "squeegee" your shower doors, you just don't strike me as a clean person.

By the way, if you don't want to ever have to really clean you shower surround (I'm talking just the glass part), simply wipe the glass and the fixture off with your towel after every use. It takes seconds and your shower always looks clean. Using a squeegee is a PITA.

[BEG]

Then too you can leave the frame in place and just use the xfer chair over it and use a friction mount shower curtain.  When you no longer need the chair just put the doors back.  (Which is what we did for my mother (may she rest in peace) years ago. 

That said I may replace the doors and tub with one of the step in sitz tubs my own use in the future.  They are no panacea as they take time to fill and empty leaving one waiting inside as this occurs I would suppose. (and they are 'spensive)   

That is too easy of an answer for DUmmies.

[GOBUCKS]

I can't imagine asking the DUmpmonkeys for advice on bathing facilities.

[miskie]

I can't imagine asking the DUmpmonkeys for advice on bathing facilities.

Well, to be fair - the DUmmy is asking for advice on dismantling one, not actually using or installing one.

[zeitgeist]

I can't imagine asking the DUmpmonkeys for advice on bathing facilities.

Cue Startrek music, To boldly go where no DUmmy has gone before.

[shadeaux]

Come on now.  It's not that hard to remove the shower doors and frame.  I did it by myself in two houses.  I used a large thin bread knife to cut away the caulk on the bottom frame and scraped the rest away with a razor.

And the wonder why they're called DUmmies. 

[I_B_Perky]

CTyankee (26,347 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

getting rid of glass shower doors

Is this a relatively simple thing to do?

My husband is recuperating from spinal surgery (his second in two years) and his occup. therapist is recommending we get rid of the glass shower doors and giving him a transfer bench. Is this something that a good handyman could do? I do not have the skill myself nor do I have anyone in my family who is that experienced.

If it is a simple job, really just removing the frame and carefully carrying out the doors, then perhaps my son could help out even without much mechanical expertise (he is a prosecutor!).

Is it more complicated than what I think it is?

It is simple. Get a sledge hammer and start swinging until the hole is big enough. If that don't work, get 5 gallons of gasoline, spread liberally, and set it on fire. Problem solved, dumbass.   

[JohnnyReb]

It is simple. Get a sledge hammer and start swinging until the hole is big enough. If that don't work, get 5 gallons of gasoline, spread liberally, and set it on fire. Problem solved, dumbass.   

That is the preferred DUmmie method...and then let Home Owners Ins. clean up the mess.

All she has to do is lift up on the doors until the bottom clears the bottom rail then lean the door so the rollers on top don't catch again on the top rail and you have one glass shower door removed....repeat and now they are both off. Anyone but a woman with a worthless "(he is a prosecutor!)" son should be able to do that. ...and after that, just how much education does it take to operate a screwdriver?

[67 Rover]

First let me say I HATE regular shower doors that you use with a bathtub/shower combo. Second let me say that Warpy is an idiot and her house probably looks like Sherry's from Hoarders (see other DUmmie thread for reference).

Warpy, just use a liner (preferably a thick white fabric liner) with the shower curtain. Take it off every so often and wash it with bleach with your towels. It will look and smell brand new. Oh and I highly doubt you "squeegee" your shower doors, you just don't strike me as a clean person.

By the way, if you don't want to ever have to really clean you shower surround (I'm talking just the glass part), simply wipe the glass and the fixture off with your towel after every use. It takes seconds and your shower always looks clean. Using a squeegee is a PITA.

Rain-X "I use that s*it everywhere" to quote a very funny commercial.  But it works very well for mirrors and glass in the bathroom.