In flats of this generation the bathroom was frequently tiled to about shoulder height with painted plaster above, which was normal at the time. That is fine until an enclosure has to land on it, because a glass panel taller than the tiling meets two different surfaces and they behave completely differently.
A panel that crosses the top of the tiling
Where a screen is taller than the tiled band, its upper fixings land in plaster rather than tile, and painted plaster in a bathroom is rarely as sound as it looks.\n\nWater has usually been reaching it for years at the top edge of the tiles.\n\nSo we sound that area before drilling and, where the plaster is soft, either bring the panel height down within the tiling or fix through to the masonry with a longer anchor. Fixing into damp plaster holds for a while and then does not.
Sealing at the top edge of the tiles
The junction where tiling stops is the weak point in these bathrooms, and adding an enclosure directs more water at it rather than less.\n\nSo it is worth sealing that edge properly while the work is happening, whether or not the glass crosses it.\n\nIt is a short job with the right sealant and it is the thing most likely to be causing the damp patch somebody has been living with above the tiles. We raise it because it is adjacent to our work rather than part of it, and it is cheap while we are there.
Deciding how tall the screen needs to be
A screen only has to be taller than the spray reaches, which is a little above head height, and in these bathrooms that is often within the tiled band.\n\nSo the honest answer is frequently a shorter panel than people assume they need, which avoids the plaster problem entirely.\n\nWe work out where the spray actually goes rather than defaulting to a standard height. It costs less, it fixes into sound tile throughout, and it performs exactly the same. It is worth asking before assuming taller is better.
How the job works
- Tell us about the jobSend a few photos, rough sizes and what you need. Use WhatsApp or the form. For a repair, a short video of the door moving helps a lot.
- We call you back in about 2 minutesWe confirm what you need and a time to visit. Where we can, we give you a rough price on the call.
- We come and measureWe measure the opening and check the walls, floor and ceiling around it. Anything made to size is made to these measurements, so they must be right.
- You get a written priceIt lists each item, with GST as its own line. If anything about the job changes, we tell you before we go ahead.
- We fit itYou approve the price and pay the advance. Our own team fits the work, checks that every door and window opens and closes properly, and clears up. Most jobs are done in 3 to 4 days.
