This has got me beaten !!! Can you help please ?

[SteveC]

I've got an old well in one of the rooms in our house. It's covered by a heavy disc of glass (approx 50cm/20ins. diameter). The disc is actually made from 2 discs laminated together. One of the glass discs is about 30mm/1.25 ins thick the other about 12mm/0.5ins thick. The middle of the sandwich is a 2mm layer of plastic (with glue on both sides).

Unfortunately, over time the inner plastic layer has become discolour and mottled. So I want to separate the 2 discs and remove this layer. (I know this will weaken it but I think there will still be plenty of strength, when I rejoin the discs).

Is it possible to get the glass discs apart? I've tried various solvents, including meths and white spirit (UK names). I've tried tapping in wooden wedges. I've tried warming the glass. But I'm stuck. Nothing seems to have much impact.

Can you offer any advice ?

Thanks. Steve.

[Michael Bulatovich]

Picture?

[DanG]

Is this the type of thing that is absolutely irreplaceable? Proceed at your own risk!!

Laminated glass, highly similar, is cut, snapped, and then you pour lighter fluid in the crack and light it to complete the cut.

I would think lacquer thinner and a heat gun (wife's hair dryer????) would have the potential to work.

One man's idea, perhaps others will have more.

[Art]

Just a thought here - Put it in the oven on very low heat, maybe 150~190 for an hour or so. Then turn the heat up to about 225~250 for another hour. Then try to separate again if you can without toasting your fingers. Good luck.

I suspect the plastic is there to hold everything together if it breaks.

[Steve Barker]

Not helping your problem, but, You've got a WELL, as in water well, IN the house?

[Glenn]

I knew of a guy in KC who had one in his basement. He had the prettiest yard in town.

[SteveC]

Many Thanks for the various suggestions.

Yes the well is in the house. The house was built about 120 years ago. The well used to be outside but was built over when an extension was built. Then some years later our builders found it when they had to dig up the floor (They nearly fell in!).

This evening I tried Nitromors (paintstripper) but because it can only work on the edge of the plastic layer, it would take weeks to get anywhere. I like the oven idea to soften the glue, but the disc is far too big for my oven.

I think I may look up the firm we bought it from to see if they can help. It cost =A3400 12 years ago, so I don't want to buy a replacement.

Thanks Again Steve.

[Rudy]

find a flat shallow tub..something like a garbage can lid (NOT plastic)

Put the glass in there and pour/cover it with ACETONE and let it soak. It should dissolve the plastic over time

[DAC]

Is this somethig you HAVE to have visual access to all the time? The wells I've been around either work or the don't and one generally doesn't putz with them until the don't.

just asking...

DAC

[Chas Hurst]

Yes the well is in the house. The house was built about 120 years ago. The well used to be outside but was built over when an extension was built. Then some years later our builders found it when they had to dig up the floor (They nearly fell in!).

This evening I tried Nitromors (paintstripper) but because it can only work on the edge of the plastic layer, it would take weeks to get anywhere. I like the oven idea to soften the glue, but the disc is far too big for my oven.

I think I may look up the firm we bought it from to see if they can help. It cost £400 12 years ago, so I don't want to buy a replacement.

Thanks Again Steve.

You have piece of laminated safety glass. You will not be able to separate the two pieces. I suggest looking at a replacement glass for a round table, or a piece of polycarbonate plastic. Or another source for a laminated cover. 400lbs (don't have the right symbol on me keyboard) is way too much to pay for a piece that size.

[tmurf.1]

You should also have the house tested for radon gas.

[CWatters]

Replace the whole thing. If you are anywhere near Cambridge I recommend trying GoGlass in Cherry Hinton. They should be able to give you a quote for the right grade. I've recently had two frameless showers off them for our new house. Look great. If you don't want the edge to appear so blue ask about Optiwhite glass.

I wouldn't mess with the laminations.

What you propose would probably breach Building Regulations which could be an issue if you sell up. The press coverage around the introduction of Home Information Packs seems to be concentrating the mind of buyers. I've noticed an increase in the number of people on the forums saying.... "We're selling our house and the buyers surveyor has asked to if the xyz change/alteration/extension was approved by Building Control".