How to Remove a Broken Glass Door Knob
A broken glass door knob can be a pain to remove from the door, but with careful preparation and patience, the task can be done without causing harm to the body. Be very careful when dealing with broken glass shreds and fragments, as they may cause bodily harm when not handled properly.
Tools and Materials
- Flathead screwdriver
- Tweezers
- Protective gloves
- Paper towel
- Penetrating oil
- Tape
- Broom
- Dustpan
Step 1 – Clean up the Broken Glass Fragments
Inform your household that the area is off-limits, most especially to young members of the family, for a few hours. Visually inspect where the broken pieces of the glass are located. Sometimes, the fragments can go two meters away or further from the door depending on the impact. Wear protective gloves before proceeding.
Clean the fragments with a broom and a dustpan. A vacuum cleaner can get the job done as well. Let the device suck up all the pieces of glass on the floor. Clean the floor again a second time to ensure no pieces of broken glass are left behind. Sprinkle baking soda or baby powder on the floor if preferred so that the smallest glass pieces do not stick to the broom.
Step 2 – Remove Broken Fragments from the Knob
If there are still pieces of the glass clinging to the knob, use a pair of tweezers to gently pull them out. Work one piece at a time to ensure that the fragments do not fall on the floor. Place the pieces in a can or bottle and throw them away in the trashcan.
Step 3 – Tape the Knob
Get a thick tape and wrap it all over the glass part of the knob. This will keep the sharp edges of the cracked knob from causing further injury. Be sure to wrap the tape a couple of times, especially on the part where the sharp edges are located.
Step 4 – Remove the Cover Plate
Locate the screws on the cover plate and remove them one by one. If there are no screws, locate a small indentation at the side of the cover plate. Insert the flat edge of a screwdriver into the hole and pry the cover plate off. Do the same with the other side of the door.
Step 5 – Remove the Knob Completely
There should be a small screw securing the knob to the stem. If the handle has a protective cap, remove the cap with the screwdriver to reveal the screw. If the screw is too tight, spray a bit of penetrating oil into it so it loosens the threads. Do the same with the other side of the door knob. Wait for 15 minutes.
Loosen the screw but do not remove it. When the screw is loose, pull the handle off. Remove the handle on the other side. Remove the rod or spindle through the hole in the knob. Thereafter, remove the other parts of the knob one by one from the door.
