Removing an internal glass window

lynnemcf

I have an internal glass window above the door to my upstairs toilet. The house was built in 1913 and has been pretty much left alone except for paint. Thus, there are a zillion layers of paint on and around the window. I managed to get the "beading" off one side of the window, but the glass still will not budge. It seems to be "glued" in with pink paste/cement. I fear that my only option is to smash the glass, and would like advice on how best (and most safe) to do this. I thought about criss-crossing the glass with parcel tape (like I have seen on old war movies!) then taking a hammer to it. BTW its not safety glass, its swirly patterned glass.

leveller2911

Hi Lyn, it might be beaded both sides,if so try taking this off too.You could also try using a stanley knife and "Break " the putty joint.If its not beaded then your best bet is to do like you say.Use masking tape,wear safety goggles,gloves and break it.

I would suggest putting toughend glass back too..Its called a "Borrowed light" BTW

lynnemcf

Thanks for the advice ... beaded on the one side only. Its also a VERY high ceiling at that point, so I am on the top step of my ladder. I'm putting in a stained glass window that i am making in a class. So my borrowed light will be yellow, orange and blue!

leveller2911

Don't do it on your own, make sure someone is there to steady the step ladder.Bet you get a great sense of achievement making your own.......Go Girl.....:D Ive always fancied having a go at stained glass making, love the way the light plays on the colours ......

ormus

cover the whole glass pane in tape, not just criss cross.
you never know how its going to break.

vaio

And break it with a hammer taped to a broom handle, that way when it breaks you are a brooms length away standing on the ground rather than close up and balancing at the top of the steps

ormus

last time i did a similar window i put an old blanket/curtain up on the other side and a bin down below.
that way most of the glass bits fell right into the bin. virtually no mess to clear up.

chrisg1985

That's a right git to get out I must admit. As far as smashing it is concerned the best thing to do buy yourself a cheap tile/glass cutter from wilkinsons for 99p or bring one home from your class. Score the glass lots of ways so that when you do break it you can be sure you can break the glass into lots of little pieces rather than a few big nasty shards. Please note you will need to hit the other side to what you have scored for this to work properly.

Obviously when you strike the glass start at the top to avoid the glass being able to guillotine your arm!

lynnemcf

vaio wrote: »

And break it with a hammer taped to a broom handle, that way when it breaks you are a brooms length away standing on the ground rather than close up and balancing at the top of the steps

That's a great tip, thanks.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Board over it.

OddjobKIA

Step by step

Put HUGE old sheet on floor as far is it will stretch in all directions..put empty cardboard box of to one side

Cover whole area of glass with tape

Use step ladder. ( they are desigend to be used by one person you wont need second helper).

Provide your self with some basic saftey items for EYES AND HANDS..and aslo feet the thickest sole shoes or boots you have

Gently tap glass at top corner with hammer untill it breaks.

repeat systematiclly untill all galss is broken.

push out with hammer OR VERY CAREFULLY with gloved hand and let FALL onto sheet.

USe old chisel or if not a flat head screwdriver and carfully scrape out all the little bits onto the floor ensuring it is clear.

remove step ladder from sheet pick up sheet from edges and corners folding into a centre to collect peices of glass. place sheet and glass into a cardboard box and seal up box with tape..dispose of sensibly.