Spring in Texas loves to bring with it wild weather, and thanks to tornadic winds which whip up during tornado season, it is not unusual for homeowners to wake up to the sound of breaking glass as windows are smashed by flying debris. As a first-time homeowner, you're not too sure what to do when you experience a broken window, so here are three steps you can take to minimize the damage while you wait for the glass glazing company representative to arrive and replace the broken pane.
1. Block The Area
The first thing you must do when window glass breaks is to block off the area before your children and/or pets come running into the room to investigate. When a glass window breaks inwards, the small glass shards can spread deep into the room and fall under furniture or bounce into carpet fibres, and then cut deeply into feet or paws. Either close the door to the room to keep onlookers out or find a way to block off the room entrance using a piece of furniture or a baby gate if you have one lying around.
2. Clean Up Glass
Once the room is blocked off, you can pick up the broken glass pieces inside your home. Before you do that, make sure you are appropriately dressed for the task. Put on closed-in shoes with thick heels, wear a pair of long pants to protect your legs, and grab some gardening gloves (if you have them) to protect your hands. Use a small brush to sweep the glass into a pile and gather it up with a small dustpan. Don't use a vacuum cleaner as the small pieces of glass can put holes in the machine's hose. The shards can also become embedded in the machine's filter and rip it.
3. Find Temporary Window Cover
If the window has broken in the middle of the night, chances are you need to wait until morning for the glass company to come out and repair it. In the interim, you need to place something over the window to keep the weather elements out of your house. If you have it, a thick piece of plastic taped over the broken window is your best option. If you don't have a plastic sheet, then cut up a cardboard box to fit within the window frame. A piece of plywood or even a bedsheet works better than nothing.
Now that you know what to do when a window breaks, it is not a bad idea to purchase a piece of plastic sheeting and some packing tape from your local hardware store. Having these items on hand just in case means you can protect your home while you are waiting for the glazing company to arrive. For more information, contact a company like Desert Empire Mirror & Glass.
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