A broken window can be scary because they pose a potential safety threat and are a security compromise. Broken windows can also mean a decline in insulation, energy efficiency, and comfort. Fixing this problem as quickly as possible is recommended. You can visit this link to learn more about fixing your broken window.
But how do you deal with a broken window? Below are recommended steps to address the inconvenience.
Step 1: Clear the Mess
As earlier stated, broken windows are a safety concern for you and other household residents. The broken shards can pierce through the skin to cause deep cuts and injuries. Addressing the safety concern is the first step towards a safe home.
We recommend wearing protective gloves and boots before cleaning the affected area. You should also keep your sweeping equipment handy.
Start by picking the bigger glass shards from the floor with your glove-covered hands. Ensure you have a waste bin close by to dump the bigger glass shards. Once handpicked, get your sweeping equipment out to clean the affected area.
After cleaning, use your vacuum cleaner to clean the farthest areas around the impact point. Doing this will remove the tiny glass fragments that may have been dispersed across the room.
Are there glass remnants hanging around the window frame? You should remove these too. You can remove the glass remnants by laying protective clothes on either side of the window. Proceed to break the glass remnants by tapping gently with a hammer.
Please ensure that you’re lightly tapping the glass remnants away from you. This can minimize accidents and help prevent cuts.
Step 2: Secure the Window Opening
Window problems can happen at any time of the day or night. If yours has happened in the dead of night, you need a temporary solution until the repair technician arrives. We recommend securing your property by finding a temporary solution to the problem.
Failing to secure the broken window area can lead to heat loss and exposure to security concerns.
If the window is cracked, find plain cello tape or packaging tape to block the cracked areas on the window screen. To do this, we recommend cleaning the glass first to remove any dirt or debris. Ensure the surface is dry before layering the cello tape on it. You can do this for both sides of the window glass for improved protection until the repair technician arrives.
If dealing with broken glass, clear the area as described in step 1 to avoid further accidents. Once done, get a heavy-duty double-layered plastic to cover the affected area and to keep your home partly sealed. You can also use a thick trash bag to cover the affected window until the technician arrives.
Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Provider
As a homeowner, it is expedient to have homeowner’s insurance for common damages like this. Contact your insurance provider to report the damage and discuss the next steps.
Please note that the terms of your insurance and coverage offered by the insurer may differ. Be sure to read the terms of your policy to understand whether the insurance provider can help you in this situation. For the basic homeowners’ insurance policy, you may be able to claim damages if the glass break was caused during a break-in or due to an act of nature.
You may need to pay out of pocket to replace the window glass if you were responsible for the damage or if other factors not covered in your policy had caused the damage.
Step 4: Contact A Window Repair and Replacement Company
Window glass replacement requires experience and expertise. Installing the window correctly also requires technical and hands-on knowledge of how windows, window glasses, and window frames work. You stand a better chance of getting an excellent installation outcome when you contact a professional for your window replacement needs.
Professional window replacement contractors can remove any remnant of glass shards lodged in the window frame and upgrade necessary parts to ensure continued protection, insulation, and indoor comfort.
Need help with a broken glass window? Looking for a trained professional to replace your window? Contact a local repair or replacement professional.
Quick Window Repair Recap
Below are the three important steps to keep in mind if you’ve chosen to attempt a DIY window repair or replacement.
Step 1: Scrape Away the Putty Around the Broken Window Pane
The putty will usually hold the window glass remnant in place. Scrape the putty away to loosen the window and remove the broken shards. Ensure to wear safety goggles, hand gloves, and use appropriate tools.
Step 2: Remove Nails or Clips from the Window Frame
Using a plier, remove any clips or nails in the window frame. Doing this helps open up the two sides of the frame to dislodge the old and broken glass and replace it with a new one.
Step 3: Sand The Area and Insert the Replacement Window
Sand the four corners of your window frame to remove residue from the old installation. Once smooth, insert your new glass into the window frame and tighten the frame with your clips or nails.
