As a homeowner in Perth, you need to have a clear idea about the importance of your bathroom shower screens. They are responsible to keep your bathroom away from flooding.
Due to the same reason, you need to be aware of when to repair or replace your residential shower screens as well. Read on and let’s explore more on when you should do it.
Assess the Extent of Damage
The first step is to thoroughly inspect your existing shower screen and identify any issues. Some common problems include:
- Cracks or chips in the glass
- Corrosion around metal frames
- Leaking water or gaps allowing drafts
- Loose, damaged, or missing sealant
- Worn out rollers or guides
Minor chips and cracks may be repairable depending on the type of glass used. However major cracks that span large sections of the screen mean a replacement will be needed. Check if the metal frames show extensive corrosion as this can weaken the integrity of the entire unit.
Also examine the seals around the edges. If there are gaps letting water escape, this indicates the seals need replacing at a minimum. Severe leaks usually warrant complete shower screen replacement.
Evaluate Your Budget
The cost to repair vs replace can sway your decision. Prices vary based on the complexity of your shower stall design. But as a general guideline for a standard shower screen in Perth:
- Glass repairs: $100 – $300
- New seals: $150 – $350
- Full shower screen replacement: $500 – $1500+
While a replacement screen is more expensive upfront, it can be a smarter long-term investment if your existing unit is very old or damaged. A new shower screen will provide many extra years of life.
Consider Ease of Access
Some shower screen installations are simpler to remove and replace than others. If yours is tiled-in with no removal access, this significantly raises replacement costs to break tiles and re-tile. It may be more sensible to repair what you can in this scenario.
But if your shower screen in Perth can be easily uninstalled intact, replacement becomes a much simpler job. This favours replacement over ongoing repairs.
Check Warranties
See if your existing shower screen might still be under warranty. Most warranties cover 5-10 years for the glass seal failure, hardware defects, or leaks. If so, replacement under warranty is the best option.
For older shower screens with no warranty, replacement gives you the benefit of new product warranties. Many Perth shower screen suppliers offer 5-10 year guarantees on materials and workmanship.
Evaluate Age and Wear
Generally, most shower screens should last 10-20 years if properly maintained. But neglect, heavy use, or low-quality materials can shorten lifespan.
Examine your shower screen carefully for signs of advanced age like worn out rollers, corroded frames, blobs of old re-applied sealant, and recurring leaks. If your screen seems to be failing despite repairs, its time is probably up.
Consider a Style Upgrade
When weighing up shower screen repair versus replacement, also think about whether you’d like to upgrade the style for better looks. Perhaps you’d enjoy a clearer glass, a frameless design, or matching metal finishes to the rest of your bathroom accessories.
Installing a replacement screen is the perfect chance to gain these style improvements over your existing model.
Check Safety
Safety is paramount with any bathroom installation. If your shower screen is showing definite signs of premature failure despite repairs, replacement is the wiser choice.
Weak glass, leaks causing slippery floors, loose frames, eroded seals, and other issues raise safety risks over time. Replacing your worn shower screen reduces hazards.
Think About Resale Value
Bathrooms can heavily influence the resale value of Perth homes. If selling might be on the horizon, view shower screen replacement as an investment into improved value. Modern designs and glass shower screens appeal to buyers versus older acrylic screens or shower curtains.
Consult the Experts
Seeking professional advice can help decide between shower screen repairs or replacement. Describe the issues you’re facing to Perth glaziers and screen installation specialists. Ask for their recommendations based on your shower stall design, extent of damage, budget and goals.
Most will offer free quotes for repairs versus new shower screen installation. This allows you to accurately compare costs with their professional insight.
Consider Eco-Friendly Options
When replacing your shower screen, you may want to explore eco-friendly options available today. Many Perth suppliers now offer products made from materials designed to lower environmental impact.
For example, some companies manufacture glass shower screens using a mixture of post-consumer recycled glass. This reduces landfill waste and energy used in production.
You can also find shower screens with water-saving functionality like low water-use shower heads, self-cleaning glass, or systems recirculating shower water back into your home’s supply. Installing one of these eco shower screens conserves water – a particularly important consideration for Australian homes.
See if any local Perth glaziers or shower screen companies offer renewable, recyclable or water-efficient products fitting your budget. An environmentally friendly replacement screen helps lower your carbon footprint over many years of use. So consider “going green” a worthwhile investment – both for your home and for the planet.
Final Words
Review all of the above considerations when weighing shower screen repairs against replacement. Minor damage may be fixable. But if your screen is elderly, failing despite repairs, difficult to access, or detracting from bathroom aesthetics, replacement often makes better financial and practical sense.
Seeking multiple quotes allows you to find competitive pricing from reputable Perth shower screen suppliers and installers. This ensures you receive the best quality product and workmanship for your budget.
Investing in a new shower screen can provide a safer, more waterproof, better looking bathroom for many years to come. So, if your existing screen seems to be on its last legs, replacement could add value, safety and peace of mind.
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