Recovering From a Broken Window

Broken windows can happen because of severe weather, clumsiness or even a break in. No matter the reason, if you find yourself with a broken window, follow these important actions for a quick recovery.Action One: Record the Broken WindowTaking pictures or a video of the broken damages will not be the first thing on your mind, but it is the first thing you need to do. Creating this record will help you later down the road with any police reports you may need to file or homeowners claims you may make.Take pictures and video of where the glass used to be, where the glass ended up, and if possible, what broke the glass. If you think it’s relevant to the broken window then record it.Action Two: File the Broken Window DamageFiling the damage means file a police report if the broken window is related to a break in or vandalism and a homeowner’s claim if the damage is above your deductible. Once you have filed the report or claim, ask the person you are talking to if it is okay that you clean up the damage. They will either give you the go ahead or tell you to hold off until they can get an officer to your home or a local claims adjuster to you.Action Three: Clean Up and Secure the Broken WindowOnce you have been given the okay, clean up any broken glass first. When you are cleaning don’t focus only where the glass seems to be concentrated. Glass is notorious for travelling long distances when it breaks, so clean up the whole area to get up any stray glass that you may not have seen.Once all the broken glass is cleaned off the ground, out of the window sill and out of any other part of the window, secure the hole where the glass was. Use a board or a piece of plywood to cover the hole and screw it in to the wall to create a secure cover.Action Four: Replace the Broken Window As Soon As PossibleAs soon as you can, contact a professional to come out and replace the broken glass. In most cases you will just need the glass replaced and not the whole window unit. But a professional can assess the damage and let you know what you need to do.Ideally, having two or three different professionals come out to give you their estimates will help you choose the best one to replace your broken window. To learn more, schedule a free in-home consultation today.