Glass pool fences and balustrades get their hardest use in summer, just when they need to look their best. A few minutes of care each month keeps the glass clear and, more importantly, keeps the barrier safe. Here is what we suggest for Penrith homes.
Cleaning without damaging the glass
Pool water, salt and sunscreen dry on the glass as white spots. Rinse the panels with fresh water after heavy pool use, then clean with a soft cloth or squeegee and a mild glass cleaner. Avoid scourers, steel wool and abrasive powders, which scratch the surface. Clean in the shade if you can, because cleaner dries too fast in direct sun and leaves streaks.
Stainless steel spigots and hinges
Brown spotting on stainless steel, often called tea staining, is common near pools. It is surface staining, not structural rust, and comes off with a stainless steel cleaner. Rinse the hardware when you rinse the glass, and check that spigot covers are seated properly.
Check every panel is firm
Push gently on each panel. It should not move in its spigots or channel. Any movement means a fixing has loosened and should be tightened before the panel is knocked or leaned on. On balustrades, which are typically 13.52 mm toughened-laminated glass on residential balconies, check the handrail or top fixings as well.
Look closely at the edges
Pool fences are usually 12 mm toughened glass. Toughened glass is very strong, but a chip on the edge weakens it, and a damaged panel can break suddenly. If you find a chip or crack, keep people clear of the panel and have it replaced. We match replacement panels to the existing run, so you are not left with an odd panel.
The gate is the part that fails most
Most pool fence problems are at the gate. Test it every few weeks:
- Open the gate fully and let go. It should swing shut and latch on its own from any position.
- The gate must open outward, away from the pool.
- The latch release should be at least 1.5 m above the ground.
If the gate drags, bounces off the latch or needs a push to close, the hinge tension or alignment needs adjusting.
AS 1926 points to keep an eye on
Pool barriers in NSW are built to AS 1926. The ones that change over time are easy to miss:
- The fence must stay at least 1.2 m above the finished ground level, so watch for raised garden beds or mulch.
- Gaps under the fence and between panels must stay under 100 mm.
- Nothing climbable, such as pot plants, chairs or a barbecue, within 900 mm of the outside of the fence.
We cover the full requirements in pool fencing and balustrade compliance.
When to call a glazier
Call us for a chipped or cracked panel, a gate that will not self-close, or any panel that moves. We repair and replace glass pool fencing and glass balustrades across Emu Plains, Mulgoa, Orchard Hills and Western Sydney. For a sense of our balustrade work, see the stairwell glass at Leonay Golf Club. Call 02 4722 2787.
