Repairing Stove Doors
The most common problem we encounter with stove doors is glass fixings shearing or seizing solid. So, what exactly do you do if your glass screws shear or you simply cannot undo them? Do you have to replace the door? Well a lot will depend on your manufacturer and the stove door arrangement. It also depends on your level of DIY skills. In this article we assess the common stove door problems and ways to overcome them.
The following advice is a guide only and is undertaken at your own risk. Safety equipment should also be worn at all times.
Help, I’m unable to undo the glass screws / nuts in my stove door.
It sounds obvious, but if you suspect screws / nuts are seized, soak in lubricating agent for 24 hours. Do this before applying serious force to the fixings. This will often be enough to release the screws or nuts. Don’t forget you may not need to undo all of them. For example, if one particular screw cannot be undone, by removing all the others you may be able to slide the glass in and out from under the remaining fixing. The following can also be tried; a gentle tap with hammer on the screw head or the top of the screw driver, or a pair of grips on the head of the screw. All these suggestions should be done under great caution and at your own risk. Heat treatment can be applied in conjunction with the above.
Villager Doors
Most Villager stove doors have a nut, clip and threaded stud arrangement. It’s very common for customers to sheer these studs in attempting to get the nut off. Again, before trying to undo the nut, soak in a lubricating agent for at least 24 hours. Ensure the agent gets in from all angles. You can also try a gentle tap with a hammer, a tool extender for extra torque, or heat application.
If this fails, you could try using a simple nut splitter tools. As the nuts are generally brass this should be no problem, provided you can access all around the nut. You can get replacement Villager clips and nuts here. If you shear the stud on the Villager door, then it will need to be fixed back on using a stud gun. Villager offer a repair service.
I have sheared the screws in the stove door, What should I do now?
Ok, so the screws have sheered, what do you do now? Well there are still a few options available to you, but you might need help. First check with the manufacturer or local stove shop, they may offer a repair service or at least point you in the right direction. Alternative options include an engineer or even a car garage as they have many of the tools needed for the job. If you are going to attempt to drill the screw out using a drill and screw extractor, ensure drill is in reverse as this may release the screw. Some doors can be drilled and re-tapped, but this obviously requires skill and the right tools.
Can I get a new door for my stove?
We would always recommend a repair over replacement. Stove doors are made to fit at point of manufacture, with slight adjustments made to allow for tolerances etc. A new door on an old stove is never guaranteed to fit and is often expensive. A poorly fitting stove door will cause issues with control and poor fuel economy. If your stove is old, it is likely that a door will not be available anyway, so repair is the way forward. Of course if the door is damaged beyond repair then a replacement can be sought.
Glass Fixings, screws and nuts.
Should you need replacement glass, glass screws, clips, fixings or any other spare part, take a look at our range of spares for all the leading brands of stove manufacturers. Simply click on your manufacturer and follow the links.
