PRODUCTION PROCESS

 

We at Waterdam Enclosures are committed to providing you with Top quality products at competitive prices. All of our tub enclosures and shower doors are made with the utmost care to provide our customers with years of trouble-free service.

Let us take you the general process used to make a typical tub enclosure or shower door:

Step 1: The process starts with your order. When you place your order for one of our shower doors, we note the style and model you desire, the color and dimensions needed, and the quantities you want. Your order is then entered into our computer system where exact measurements for your particular shower door or tub enclosure are figured. A listing of all necessary parts is printed and sent to the plant for assembly.

Step 2: Next, the glass for the door is cut to size and heat tempered for your safety. The tempering process is in accordance with federal standards for product safety (Consumer Product Safety Code 16CFR1201 II). It is much stronger than regular glass, however it is still breakable. Avoid striking it with any sharp or hard objects. Such damage can cause either immediate, or delayed breakage (usually at a time of temperature change). If your glass does break it will break into many very small pieces. This is somewhat startling, but substantially safer than when regular, (annealed) glass, breaks. These small pieces sometimes cause superficial cuts but never cause the severe injuries or damage that can occur with regular glass.

Step 3: The aluminum for your shower door is then cut to size. Each piece of aluminum is then inspected for scratches or imperfections. For framed doors, glazing vinyl is placed around the door glass and the aluminum is hammered onto the glass with a mallet for a snug, watertight fit.



Step 4: All necessary screws, door hardware and vinyl are counted, placed into a bag and sealed. Each door header, wall channel and other aluminum extrusions are carefully wrapped in paper to protect the metal finish from scratches. Next, all necessary components for your shower door are gathered together and double checked. The door and hardware are then carefully boxed for shipment.



Step 5: Your shower door order is then placed on one of our trucks or a common carrier for delivery/installation to your home/company

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CARE & MAINTENANCE

 

Care of Aluminum:
The aluminum in your shower door is durable and resistant to water damage. It is advisable, but not necessary, to wipe it dry with your towel after your shower. It should be cleaned at least weekly with a soft damp cloth to remove any buildup. If you have hard water and need to use a mild detergent or a stronger cleaning agent, be sure to rinse it off thoroughly. BEMA (Bath Enclosure Manufacturing Association) endorses the use of Comet Nonabrasive Bathroom Cleaner for the safe cleaning of glass and anodized aluminum.

Never use an abrasive cleaner of any kind. Although anodized aluminum is exceptionally resistant to corrosion, discoloration and wear, its natural beauty can be marred by harsh chemicals, abuse or neglect. Such conditions usually affect only the surface finish but do not reduce the service life of the aluminum. Many glass cleaners can damage the anodized surface of the aluminum if allowed to remain on the metal for any length of time.

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When you use harsh abrasive cleaners or steel wool, you cause the protective anodized coating to break down. When this happens, you will lose the shiny coating and the bare aluminum will be exposed and, as a result, will corrode. This corrosion is sometimes called "white rust" because it looks like white rust. While "white rust" is not pleasant to look at, it will not affect the durability or safety of your shower enclosure. Removing "white rust" once it appears is not easy. It is best you prevent damage of the aluminum by taking care when you clean your shower enclosure by using a nonabrasive cleaner (like comet Nonabrasive Bathroom Cleaner) and a soft, damp cloth. This will help protect the anodized coating and prevent corrosion of the aluminum.

Care of Glass:
The glass can be kept clean with Comet Nonabrasive Bathroom cleaner or any glass cleaner you use elsewhere in your home. Rinse off any glass cleaner that gets on the aluminum as soon as possible to avoid damage to the anodized surface. Your glass is tempered safety glass, manufactured in accordance with federal standards (Consumer Product Safety Code 16CFG1201 II). It is much stronger than regular (annealed) glass, however it is still breakable. Avoid striking it with any sharp or hard objects. Such damage can cause either immediate or, delayed breakage (usually at a time of temperature change). If your glass does break, it will break instantly into numerous, very small pieces. This is somewhat starling, but substantially safer than when annealed glass breaks. These small pieces sometimes cause superficial cuts, but never cause the severe damage that can occur with non-tempered glass.

Never lift the shower door panels (on frameless units) by the "through-the-glass" towel bars (see picture to the right). This can cause the glass to break by putting too much pressure on the holes in the glass. Also note that leaning too hard on the towel bars can also cause the glass to break. Instead, lift the door panels by gripping and holding the glass itself.

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