Bathroom mirror woes

Rosa_Damascena

As part of my big build last year, I had a new bathroom built. Its been in situ for all of 8 months and has never been used so there has been no moisture in the air.

I nipped in today to give it a quick clean and was disappointed to find some staining on the mirror. I've tried to remove it but its clear the problem is not surface, but behind the mirror and it is spreading to etched areas. The mirror is bonded onto the tiles with adhesive. Realistically, what are my options to get it looking pristine again? I know what the nuclear option is but don't want to have to think about that just now (invisible shards of glass terrify me).



The rest of the bathroom is pristine.

grumbler

The only option is the one that terrifies you.

When replacing, make sure that the back side and the edges are sealed reliably, and not just with grout. For the back (and partly for the edges)  I'd use some sort of sticky plastic film, e.g. vinil)

Rosa_Damascena

grumbler said:

The only option is the one that terrifies you.

When replacing, make sure that the back side and the edges are sealed reliably, and not just with grout. For the back (and partly for the edges)  I'd use some sort of sticky plastic film, e.g. vinil)

I think I'm going to go with a modern bathroom mirror and 2 screw fittings.

Aside from prying the mirror from the wall and containing the glass, I know I need to pay attention to the tiles underneath so they don't crack (they are porcelain so have a bit more tolerance than ceramic). Any tips on removing lingering adhesive?

grumbler

Rosa_Damascena said:

grumbler said:

The only option is the one that terrifies you.

When replacing, make sure that the back side and the edges are sealed reliably, and not just with grout. For the back (and partly for the edges)  I'd use some sort of sticky plastic film, e.g. vinil)

I think I'm going to go with a modern bathroom mirror and 2 screw fittings.

I wouldn't rely on the word 'bathroom' and still would take extra measures to protect the the mirror layer behind and on the edges.

Aside from prying the mirror from the wall and containing the glass, I know I need to pay attention to the tiles underneath so they don't crack (they are porcelain so have a bit more tolerance than ceramic). Any tips on removing lingering adhesive

What sort of adhesive is it? Typically they use double-sided sticky foam pads/tape and some sort of silicone around. Both can be just scraped from the tiles.

When removing, some of the sticky foam pads (if any) you can try cutting them from the sides with a long thin flexible blade, possibly with a hacksaw one or with a steel ruler.

davemorton

Cover the glass in gaffa tape so that if it breaks, you dont get shards of glass all over.  Perhaps try warming the mirror with a heater, then using dental floss in a sawing motion behind it to cut the adhesive. 

grumbler

I agree - heat gun is a good idea if it's foam pads that hold the mirror. Worth trying before using any gaffa tape.

Eldi_Dos

To stabilise the mirror for removal you could get wallpaper paste and newspaper and build up a couple of layers on mirror then get piece of cardboard cut to size and paste on, this might make it easier to handle if cracked when removing.

For cutting adhesive behind mirror, do you know any fishermen who would have high breaking strength fishing line that you could use with a couple of wooden dowels to cheesecut behind mirror.

Moss5

Why not buy a larger mirror to hide the unsightly one?
I have a heater-mat behind mine, to provide a steam-free area and a strip lamp above.
Guest hate it because it does not hide the ageing process.
Young girls love it. Ideal for 'selfies'

sew_what

I'd go back to your supplier- the mirror should not be like that after only 8 months!

Rosa_Damascena

Moss5 said:

Why not buy a larger mirror to hide the unsightly one?
I have a heater-mat behind mine, to provide a steam-free area and a strip lamp above.
Guest hate it because it does not hide the ageing process.
Young girls love it. Ideal for 'selfies'

The mirror is actually the perfect size for the space. Bigger can't be done.

koalakoala

Is it faulty? I’ve had bathroom mirrors for years and never had a problem