Hi, I need to lift a panel up about a cm. The screws are loose but the glass is stuck to the rubber/plastic packer. Any ideas on how to remove/loosen it etc. Thanks
Hello @ADV
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's fabulous to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about your glass pool fencing.
In order for us to give you a comprehensive recommendation, would it be possible for you to take a few photos of the spigot and the entire assembly of your glass pool fencing? This will give our members a chance to assess the fittings. We can then make suggestions on how to proceed.
Sometimes what happens is that the fittings move or the spigots installed are just slightly off and now you have a very tight-fitting piece of glass that won't move. Please note, it is important that the glass be supported from the bottom when loosening the spigot fittings. A piece of timber with a towel on top should support the glass and prevent it from sliding down further.
Under no circumstances are you to hit, tap or force the glass into place. I strongly recommend having a second set of hands to give you a hand when adjusting the glass panel.
We look forward to seeing your photos.
Eric
Photo attached below. Basically the ground has dropped by about 10mm and the rough plan is to lift the glass level. The issue is, the screws are loose but we can't move the glass. Any ideas on how to free it ?
Thank you very much for posting that picture of the spigot. I suggest using WD-40 275g Multi-Use Smart Straw to lubricate the joint between the rubber and the glass. However, please keep in mind that both sides must be removed and the glass panel must be taken off so that the rubber and the glass can be washed with soap and water. The WD40 must be washed off otherwise the glass will slip down again.
If the glass panel is still stuck despite using the WD40, I'm afraid it's time to call in a glass pool panel specialist. They will probably have tools and methods that will allow them to remove the pinched glass.
Let me call on our experienced members @TedBear and @JoeAzza for their recommendations.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Hi @ADV, I agree with EricL's suggestions for separating glass from spigot.
An alternative approach if you can lift the tile on the far side of the one attached to the spigot, could be to lift the glass with spigot & tile attached... using a soft timber strip with a groove cut along (or add thin strips to either side of the top) to sit under the glass edge so you have something to lever up against that isn't glass. Use wedges to keep it at the correct height. Then pack under the tile, using a spade with a straight blade, until it's sitting firmly in place.
(That method is used to correct train line sleepers, when there's no power equipment at hand. It is very effective. ) It may take a while, but probably not as long as you'd imagine.
Thanks mate. I think I know what you mean. I've actually dug under the paver to see if I could get a jack and lift the paver/spigot etc together.
Just in case it was unclear, I am suggesting to lift the glass (& spigot) by levering it up from the tile next to the one with the spigot. Then packing under the pivot-tile from 2 sides. I hope that's what you got from the idea.
Hi @ADV,
It's possibly not the rubber holding the panel in but the compression plate squeezing it. Have you removed those screws entirely? The rubber and panel should be easily removed when the screws are not compressing the internal plate. In fact, until you start tightening the screws, the rubber and panel loosely sit inside the spigot. Even if the rubber has bound to the glass surface, it should come out with the panel with no problems.
There's also a good chance that the internal compression plate has rusted in place, and even though you've backed the screws out, the plate can't retract into its recess. Have a look at this video on installing a glass pool panel to see what I mean. I don't think any of this information will probably help tremendously, but it might give you some avenues to explore. The first would be removing those screws completely to ensure they are not inhibiting the plate's retraction.
Mitchell
Hi mate, yep the screws are completely out.
That's a bummer, @ADV. Have you tried early on in the morning when the rubber hasn't been heated by the sun and become sticky?
Nope, good idea, will have a go in the morning.
Hi @ADV ,
@EricL idea using WD40 is good, just to add to this, try running a fishing line between the glass panel and the rubber support, this should free up the seal between the glass and rubber, this will also tell you if there is another obstruction as suggested by @MitchellMc
Thanks mate
Love the fishing line idea @JoeAzza! Dental floss will work in a pinch, too.
If you haven't removed car badges with fishing line before @ADV, the process works best if you keep the line taught and use a sawing action.
No luck yet. Tried the fishing line and it catches at the height of the first screw, almost as if there's something in there. I pushed a sharp thin knife down the spigot and it hit the same thing at the same height.
Hi @ADV
I suggest getting an extra pair of hands to hold the glass up from the bottom while trying to do the fishing line technique. I suspect that the spot you're hitting is the holding point of the glass. It might be necessary to relieve the pressure being exerted on it by having an extra pair of hands. I propose doing a combination of the WD40 and fishing line to make the line pass through easily between the spigot and the glass panel.
If you need further assistance, please let us know,
I suggest checking for the possibility of a protective sleeve running through the spigot and the glass.
If so, you'll need to make or find a wooden punch at the right diameter to push it out.
