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TUB / SHOWER ENCLOSURE / DOOR GLAZING CRACKED / DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE SAFETY GLAZETUB / SHOWER ENCLOSURE / DOOR GLAZING CRACKED / DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE SAFETY GLAZE: Glazing around showers and tubs are subjected to pressures from many sources. They expand and contract from hot and cold water, are bumped and pressed against almost daily, and the frames around shower and tub enclosure glazing materials are not particularly strong. We can expect to see cracked glass often, especially in older buildings. The glazing should be tempered or safety glass by today's standards but may not be. Tempered glass is identifiable by a manufacturer's mark usually found at one of the corners. Tempered glass can be broken but will break into small pieces which ordinarily will not harm you. Safety glass is not always identifiable. Safety glass is similar to automobile windshields in that, a thin layer of plastic is sandwiched between two layers of glass. Should breakage occur the plastic layer would help prevent the pieces from falling out. Safety glass can be cut with ordinary glass cutters while tempered glass cannot. It is possible the installer will have cut the mark off which would indicate the glass was safety glaze. If the glazing material is the type with wires embedded in the glass it should be considered relatively safe but it can be cracked leaving sharp edges. If the glazing is not tempered or safety glass you can be injured by glass shards in the event the glass is broken and you are standing nearby. Replacement of the glazing material is possible but replacement of the entire assembly may be more logical and cost effective. It is recommended that you contact a Shower Door Company for assistance unless you feel you are equipped to install one of the many available at Building Supply Outlets. It is recommended you review the enclosures and their installation to improve your maintenance knowledge. Water in basement and water in crawl space, are problems frequantly found during a New Jersey home inspection Make sure your home inspector has the experience necessary to assist you in evaluating these problems and cures.
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