Tips For Handling Broken Windows
A broken window can be one of the more common sources of damage that a home can experience. When your home suffers a broken window, it can be easy to not know the steps you should take when addressing this damage. In order to prevent the problems that can arise when you have a broken window, you should be using several tips to ensure you are following the right steps.
Seal The Broken Window
After you notice the broken window, you will want to immediately seal it. This is necessary to prevent moisture, insects and small animals from getting into the house. When you are sealing the window, you will want to use a thick piece of plastic and tape it into place. In order to prevent the wind from easily blowing the plastic out, you should make very small slits in the plastic to allow pressure to equalize. You will need to be very careful to avoid cutting yourself on the shards of glass that may have been produced. To help you avoid this type of injury, you should sweep any glass from under the window and wear thick gloves.
Document The Damage
Many homeowner insurance policies will cover the costs of repairing a broken a window. While you may think that filing a claim for this type of damage will be unnecessary, repairing a broken window can be surprisingly expensive, and it can not be delayed for long. To help ensure that your claim is processed in a timely fashion, you should take photographs of the damage so that you can easily submit proof of damage to your insurance company. When taking these photographs, you should attempt to include the source of the damage if this is possible.
Leave Replacing The Glass To A Professional
You might be tempted to try and replace the broken glass without hiring a professional. While replacing a broken window may seem easy, it can be surprisingly difficult to do correctly. When this repair is not completed correctly, moisture can seep through small gaps that may be present and you may compromise the appearance of the window. Furthermore, you may find that it is extremely difficult to have the glass cut to the correct specifications. Retaining a professional residential glass repair service will allow you to avoid these problems. If you are worried about this being a major or stressful repair, it should be noted that most professionals will be able to remove the broken glass and install the new glass for basic windows in less than an hour.