How to fill up a gap for a warped sliding door?

I think my melamine enclosure (REGRETS OMG) I have for my dumeril's is already warping a bit. I noticed just now that the right sliding door doesn't shut cleanly (it's lopsided), and there's a 1cm gap between the door and the wall on the upper half.

What can I use to fill up the gap and that is easy to work with? It probably should stick to the glass sliding door instead of the wall.


https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m%2Fhvqw5c.jpg

I feel for you melamine is some horrible stuff. I do not keep snakes in anything but tubs but I do have a lot of negative experiences with that material. Putting something on the glass would probably not resist pressure from the animal well. The only thing I can think of would be to bolt a piece of better material to the inside of the enclosure on that side with enough overhang to cover the gap. If the material is strong enough and bolted well, you may actually be able to pull the warp out over time by periodically tightening the hardware. It is not going to look good but there is probably not much else u can do outside of replacing the warped piece. If you do try the bolt method make sure you use some really good sized washers otherwise the bolts will pull through that wonderful material.

can you make a couple of good pictures of the unit itself ? And the door/wall ?

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

I feel for you melamine is some horrible stuff. I do not keep snakes in anything but tubs but I do have a lot of negative experiences with that material. Putting something on the glass would probably not resist pressure from the animal well. The only thing I can think of would be to bolt a piece of better material to the inside of the enclosure on that side with enough overhang to cover the gap. If the material is strong enough and bolted well, you may actually be able to pull the warp out over time by periodically tightening the hardware. It is not going to look good but there is probably not much else u can do outside of replacing the warped piece. If you do try the bolt method make sure you use some really good sized washers otherwise the bolts will pull through that wonderful material.

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It's terrible, I wish I did research on specific materials before getting it LOL. I just figured since I see melamine being used very often, it must be fine... but haha wrong.

I'm actually not sure what you mean by bolting on the inside to pull the wall in, though it sounds like a good idea.

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Originally Posted by zina10

can you make a couple of good pictures of the unit itself ? And the door/wall ?

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sure! I just drew that image, because taking a picture is more of a hassle haha. I'll post something.

I simple fix would be to measure and cut a slim piece of wood and either hot glue it or screw it into position - vertically . So say the Viv is 14" tall/high - you would need a piece of wood 14" by say 1" wide and maybe 1/2 of an inch thick ( approx the same as the warp ) and fix it inside of the viv front panel - vertically .

So the viv door glass slides up against the added piece of wood .


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Zincubus, thanks- I was thinking something like that. Where do I get a piece of wood that size? Or is there another material I can use?

Current makeshift fix lol...

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2Funnamed.jpg

And what it actually looks like. This is closed "shut". It doesn't go any further than that, because it hits the bottom corner.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...a%2Fsdfdfg.jpg

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

I simple fix would be to measure and cut a slim piece of wood and either hot glue it or screw it into position - vertically . So say the Viv is 14" tall/high - you would need a piece of wood 14" by say 1" wide and maybe 1/2 of an inch thick ( approx the same as the warp ) and fix it inside of the viv front panel - vertically .

So the viv door glass slides up against the added piece of wood .


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X2^^^^^. Lowes has 1x2's for cheap and they will cut & rip one so its 3/4 thick by your 14" high.. Drill 3 holes so it doesn't split and bolt/washer & nut it. You can spray it white too.


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How does the door fit on the other side of the enclosure?

I'm just wondering what is going on with it to have caused that. Wondering if both sides are beginning to lean to the right slightly.
That would also mean that the door isn't perfect on the other end, though.

If that is the case, I would want to look into straightening and stabilizing the enclosure somehow. Because whatever is going on, is probably going to keep happening. The gap will grow and eventually it will be structurally unsound. I wouldn't want it "giving out" while you aren't home.

You could get a level and try to find out where or what is leaning, try to fix that and add support to keep from happening again.

Thanks sully and zincubus, I'll look into doing this! I'm not handy with materials and stuff at all, but I think I can figure this out at least LOL!

Zina, weirdly the other door fits snug from top to bottom. So only something is happening with the right side, maybe a warped ceiling panel? I have no clue. You're right, that would be scary if the enclosure eventually collapses when I'm not home! :( I'll get a level and see if I can figure it out...

How do you suggest adding support? I don't know how this building thing works.

Well I'm rubbish at DIY but mine brain works kinda differently than most and I'm always able to find a quick and easy fix for anything that comes up .

Adding support to the whole structure is another quick fix ...

Just need some L shaped brackets ..... and put one on all eight corners .... 8 cost me about £6 a few months ago when I bolstered by big Boa viv .

You could easily get away with using just 4 though and put them on the two front bottom corners and the two front top ones .
These are similar to the ones I used although mine only had half as many screw holes - you only really need to be putting two screws on each face so brackets with four or six will be fine _ it's the shape that's important .

Hope that makes sense

..https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e431f7c25e.jpg


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Originally Posted by Mr Sully

X2^^^^^. Lowes has 1x2's for cheap and they will cut & rip one so its 3/4 thick by your 14" high.. Drill 3 holes so it doesn't split and bolt/washer & nut it. You can spray it white too.


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Sounds good ....

I wondered if he could have a look around for a piece of white plastic now we know the Viv colour ... I keep loads of bits and pieces in the shed for jobs like this :)

Maybe find something from a window fitters place .


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Originally Posted by redshepherd

I just drew that image, because taking a picture is more of a hassle haha. I'll post something.

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You truly are an artist!! In today's tech world most would snap a pic, you drew it out. I honestly love that!!!! Keep the arts alive!!!


I think your best bet is adding a "scab" to the wall where the gap is. Get a piece of 3'4" scrap (Home Depot or Lowes often have some pieces kicking around) or something like it, maybe some "finish trim". I would bring the pic with you and they will most likely just get you what you need. Bring the measurements and they will probably cut it to fit for you. Then simply fasten it to the inside of the enclosure to block the gap. Liquid nail or hot glue and a few bolts/washers. Just choose the right length and finish to avoid any rough edges exposed to your snake. Using a few "L brackets" will tighten the enclosure up and prevent further movement, spreading gaps, etc...

^^ I think that's what I suggested using different words.
That's kinda funny !
LOL

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

^^ I think that's what I suggested using different words.
That's kinda funny !
LOL

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Yeah, we are on the same page!!

OK, now that I've seen the pic, my original idea will not work. From the pic I really cannot tell if it is actually warped or leaning. Put a straight edge on the outer side and see if there is a gap. If there is you are going to need to replace that side. I would try to contact the company that made it. They may send you the piece for free. If not you need to get a new one cut at home depot. Regardless if it is warped or leaning I would reinforce the entire enclosure with the brackets like Zinc said. If you don't think you can do it yourself, find someone that can and buy them lunch or something. I help out people with little stuff all the time, as long as I get food and or a six pack I call it even.

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Sounds good ....

I wondered if he could have a look around for a piece of white plastic now we know the Viv colour ... I keep loads of bits and pieces in the shed for jobs like this :)

Maybe find something from a window fitters place .


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He sure could, they make tons of plastic pieces for the bathroom. Everything from shower enclosure trim to different styles of drip edges. Good idea.


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I do a lot of fabricating of enclosures. I'd put money on it that the whole thing is leaning and creating a gap on both sides. don't store heavy things on top of such a structure! from the picture, the joint looks stressed. in this case, you need to use some kind of angle brace and square up the enclosure from the inside corners. use stainless steel everything, at least stainless steel bolts and washers (much better than screws on melamine, the washers distribute the pressure enough that the melamine is less likely to fall apart), if you can as regular steel will rust and look like crap in short order... been there, done that. the metal angle brace is a fine option but not likely available in stainless so you probably want to coat it with something so it won't rust, or you could go with resin, like trecks and cut a right triangle out of it and use screws and washers from the outside. melamine is wonderfully cheap but requires reinforcement of some sort.

Just replying quickly and I'll read and reply to all the suggestions later- the left side isn't leaning and doesn't have a gap. It fits snug with the side from top to bottom. So I'm figuring that only the right side of the top panel is curving for some reason.

If you suspect one panel is curving, put a straight edge up against it to test. I'm still with the people who suggest leaning. Do you have a t-square, or a framer's square? You can also measure the corners on the diagonal. If the structure has lost its ninety degree angles, the measurements will differ.

When Melamine warps, it tends to look swollen, and the seams split. It maybe that there is something going on from the inside, a join that wasn't sealed, and got wet?

Sorry I was out at lunch- thanks for the suggestions, I'll see what I can do! I'm assuming all the "he's" are supposed to be me? :D I'm flattered that I sound like a dude. LOL

I'll put a level on the left side, but I'm 99% sure it's a 90 degree angle, because the glass door has no gap when closed, not even a little bit (or else I would have noticed and posted about it too). And there's no way for glass to warp. I mean, I can take a pic for proof, but lol.

It sounds like what would work best is buying those L metal support thingies and putting it on the right side, and then filling up the gap with a wood piece. I assume putting it on the outside and not the inside, right?

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

You truly are an artist!! In today's tech world most would snap a pic, you drew it out. I honestly love that!!!! Keep the arts alive!!!

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thanks! It's more convenient for me, because I draw on the computer for a living.

If everything is square like you say, that means the side is warped. The brackets would reinforce and help the unit stay square. They will not fix the warp. You are probably going to have to replace the entire panel.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

Sorry I was out at lunch- thanks for the suggestions, I'll see what I can do! I'm assuming all the "he's" are supposed to be me? :D I'm flattered that I sound like a dude. LOL

I'll put a level on the left side, but I'm 99% sure it's a 90 degree angle, because the glass door has no gap when closed, not even a little bit (or else I would have noticed and posted about it too). And there's no way for glass to warp. I mean, I can take a pic for proof, but lol.

It sounds like what would work best is buying those L metal support thingies and putting it on the right side, and then filling up the gap with a wood piece. I assume putting it on the outside and not the inside, right?



thanks! It's more convenient for me, because I draw on the computer for a living.

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Not sure now :)

Your sketch looked as though the wood on the right side has warped outwards so the new piece of wood or plastic would go INSIDE so the glass door would slide up to it ...

That's how I interpretted the sketch anyway .

If the panel is warping inwards the piece would go INSIDE - as I see things .

Any luck fixing it?