The neighbourhood kids were having a great time playing baseball outside your house. The batter swung — it was a home run — but then THAT sound broke through the jubilant cheers!
Now the fun is over and you have to deal with the aggravation of a broken window. Follow these 5 steps to quickly and safely manage the problem.
Assess the Mess
Take photos of the damage, before, during and after the clean up — this may be helpful when making an insurance claim.
Next survey the scene before starting your clean-up. Is your window cracked or partially broken, is the glass unstable? This can be dangerous — extreme caution is necessary when attempting to remove or secure broken glass that may fall unexpectedly.
Is the window fragmented? Shattered glass can spray farther than you might expect, so it is important to cordon off the space surrounding the breakage to protect everyone from pieces of stray glass. Keep children and pets away from the area.
Before you begin the clean-up, protect yourself by wearing safety glasses or goggles, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, heavy work gloves, and sturdy boots or closed-toe shoes.
Pick up the Pieces
Start by picking up the largest pieces first. Wrap them in newspaper or a cloth before placing them into a cardboard box. Remember to look for glass shards or fragments behind and on top of furniture and in between cushions as well as on the floor.
When you have finished collecting the big fragments, you can use a broom to thoroughly sweep the area for any stray shards. Sweep slowly and carefully to avoid scattering bits of glass into the rest of the room. Next use your vacuum to remove any small pieces that remain. Finally, wipe the hard surfaces and the floor near the window with a damp paper towel to remove tiny splinters and glass dust. You may need to repeat this step as tiny glass particles may be nearly invisible.
Finally, wrap all the shattered glass pieces in a cloth or several layers of newspaper and place in a cardboard box. Tape the box closed and label it “Danger – Broken Glass”. Deposit the box, the vacuum bag, broom and paper towels safely in the garbage.
Secure the Window
If the pane is mostly or completely gone you will need to protect your home from the weather and/or intruders. The best way to do this is by covering your window or window frame with a piece of plywood that is a bit larger than your window. A heavy tarp or a thick plastic sheet is the next best option if plywood is not available.
To prevent injury when securing the window, you may want to remove any large shards of glass that remain in the window frame. Make sure to wear gloves and carefully snap off the jagged pieces. Dispose of the broken glass safely as in the step above.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Whether your window was broken as a result of a friendly ball game or a spring wind storm, your homeowner’s policy may cover the cost of your replacement window. Call your insurance company; they can help you file a claim and answer your questions about your coverage.
Call Your Window Professional
Talk to your EuroLine Window sales consultant to help you decide on your best replacement options. There are many features that you may want to consider when you are ready to replace your window, including laminated safety glass and tempered safety glass. We can answer all your questions and help you make the best choice for your needs. Ask us about energy efficiency, privacy, colours and glass options, too. We love to talk about windows!
Check out the links below for more information:
How to Safely Dispose of Glass Garbage
Watch our “Break-In Test” video
Visit our Products page for information about our windows, doors, accessories and options
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