What to do if your window gets broken
Have you discovered a cracked or broken window? Then you need to get it repaired as soon as possible so as not to leave your home vulnerable to the elements. Fortunately, there’s some emergency DIY work you can undertake while you wait for the glazier to stop any cracks from getting bigger or a howling gale ripping through your living room.
What’s the damage?
First, take a look at the damage. If the window pane is cracked, you’ll need to make a temporary seal to keep out the wind and the rain. Duct or packing tape makes a good quick fix when applied on the inside and outside of the window – be careful not to apply too much pressure so you don’t make the damage worse.
However, if the entire pane has been smashed and there’s a gaping hole, you’ll need to google ‘emergency glaziers Leicester’, or similar, and try to secure the window while you wait for help.
Secure your window
Never attempt to remove the glass from a window frame without using protective gloves and eyewear. Now either pick out the individual pieces or cover the glass completely with masking tape before carefully knocking it out with a hammer.
Now you need to cover the window opening. Thick packaging plastic or a heavy duty bin liner is ideal – simply staple or tape into place. If you’ve only broken one pane of a double glazed unit you can stuff the gap with bubble wrap or an old duvet for extra insulation.
Board it up
If the pane is particularly large, it may be better to board the opening up temporarily. You can do this yourself or contact an emergency glazier who offers boarding up services like https://www.nanduglass.co.uk/boarding-up/, particularly if the property will be empty until you can get a proper repair or replacement window.
If you DIY it, you’ll need the help of a friend and a piece of plywood cut to size which you’ll then need to secure to the wall above, below and around the window. You’ll need 2-inch screws to secure the window at 12 to 16-inch intervals. If you do decide to do the repair yourself, make sure you take photos of the damage before you start work. That way you’ll have a record should you decide to claim on your household insurance.
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