Whether a tree branch shattered the backdoor during a storm or the neighborhood kids broke one of your windows during one of their games; a broken glass window or door is a dangerous situation that should be handled with care. As soon as it happens, you should move everyone away from the site and only approach the wreckage yourself fully protected. As you wait for the experts to arrive, you shouldn’t tape up the frame yourself or slam any nearby doors. If you’ve been wondering ‘broken window what to do,’ you should read the following article.
If a window or glass door breaks, move everyone away from the glass, put on thick gloves and closed-toed shoes, take photos, and call a professional glass company. Cover the opening only if there is no loose glass hanging in the frame. Precision Glass & Mirror offers 24 hour emergency glass services for Houston-area homes and businesses. Call (713) 534-7627.
Shattered Door Or Window? Immediate Steps To Take
A broken window or door doesn’t just expose your living space to intruders and burglars; it also makes you vulnerable to injuries. This is why it’s important to act carefully. You should call in professionals to handle the disaster and vacuum the area carefully to catch all the shards. If you’re trying to figure out what to do when a glass door breaks; this is your broken window safety checklist.
Read carefully as we explain.
Clear The Area
It’s important to remember that shattered glass travels long distances across hard surfaces, so get children, pets and the rest of your household to a different room to prevent injuries.
Was It a Break-In? Call 911 First
If you think someone broke the glass to get inside, do not enter the room and do not touch anything. Go to a safe place and call 911. Let the police check the area first. Your insurance company may ask for a police report, so do not clean up until the police say it is okay. After that, follow the steps below.
Gear Up
If you want to get a better look at the mess, you can’t just walk right up to it. Instead, you should put on closed-toed boots and thick work gloves while you assess the disaster and figure out broken sliding glass door what to do.
Window Glass vs Door Glass: Why the Break Looks Different
Older single-pane window glass usually breaks into large, sharp pieces. Glass in many doors is tempered safety glass. It usually breaks into many small chunks instead of long shards. Small pieces can still cut you, so treat all broken glass as dangerous. Tell the glass company which type you have, because it helps them plan the repair.
Document The Damage
We need evidence of the shattered door or window to show the professionals. So, grab your phone and record the whole room. Take detailed pictures from different angles, and save them with time stamps.
Call Professionals
The best advice we can give you on what to do when a glass door shatters is to get in touch with a professional glass contractor. You should share the pictures you took to help them assess.
What to Tell the Glass Company When You Call
Have this information ready so the call is quick:
- What is broken: a window, entry door, sliding door, or storefront.
- The rough size of the opening.
- Whether the frame looks bent or damaged.
- Whether the opening is open to the outside, and whether rain is coming.
- Your photos of the damage.
Also ask if they can secure the opening for you until the new glass is ready.
Contact Insurance Providers
Regardless of the reason behind the incident, your property was damaged. So, it’s a good idea to share your evidence with your insurance company to get the claims process started as soon as possible.
Sweep Carefully
The next thing you might want to know is how to dispose of broken glass. If you’re confident and careful enough, get a dust pan and mop and gather all the larger shards so that you can put them into a puncture-proof bag.
Vacuum Thoroughly
Tiny glass pieces are pretty hard to just sweep away. So if you want to know how to clean up broken window glass safely, you should vacuum the floors, furniture and window sills. Shine a flashlight to catch tiny broken shards.
Cover Opening
The next thing we should address is how to cover a broken window temporarily. If the broken glass isn’t in danger of being jostled, you should take a thick plastic sheet and tape it to the frame of the glass window or door.
Plastic Sheet or Professional Board-Up: Which One Do You Need?
- Small window, no loose glass in the frame, dry weather: a thick plastic sheet can work as a short-term cover.
- Large window, glass door, sliding door, or storefront: ask a professional for a board-up. Plastic is not strong enough.
- Any security worry: plastic keeps out some wind and rain, but it does not stop someone from getting in. Call for a board-up.
- Glass still hanging in the frame: do not tape or push on it. Keep people away and call a professional.
Window Or Door Trouble: What Not To Do When Glass Shatters
So you now know the answer to a ‘broken door or shattered window what to do’. Is that all, though? Not quite. Aside from all this, there are a few things that you should avoid at all cost during the first few hours of an incident like this:
- Jostle The Frame: That frame has glass pieces hanging from it and disturbing them could destabilize the panel or lead to further injuries. So, stay away.
- Duct Tape: Don’t apply strong adhesives directly onto the edges of the broken glass to avoid damaging the frame. Experts know how to board up a broken window correctly.
- Slamming Doors: Avoid slamming nearby doors and windows to prevent vibrations from worsening the situation.
- Attempt DIY: Even if you think you can, don’t try to fix your door or window yourself. This will lead to injuries and may nullify your warranty or insurance.
What Happens After You Call a Glass Company
Here is what a typical glass repair visit looks like, so you know what to expect:
- They ask questions. They will ask about the glass type, the size, and the damage. Your photos help.
- They secure the opening if needed. This protects your space while you wait for new glass.
- They measure. New glass is cut to fit your opening, so it has to be measured first.
- The new glass is ordered or made. The wait depends on the glass type and size. Ask for a time estimate.
- They install it. Ask who will clean up and take away the old glass.
If the frame is bent, rotted, or damaged, the frame may need work too. A professional should inspect it. For help with cost, read our window glass replacement cost guide.
If Glass Breaks at Night or on a Weekend
Do the safety steps first: clear the area, keep people and pets out, and cover the opening if it is safe to do so. If the opening is large, or you feel unsafe, call an emergency glass service right away. If the opening is covered and secure, you can wait and call in the morning. Precision Glass & Mirror lists 24 hour emergency services. Call (713) 534-7627 and ask what is available for your situation.
Broken Glass at a Business or Office
For a business, broken glass is a safety and security problem. Keep staff and customers away, take photos, and call a commercial glass company. If you manage a storefront or office, see our commercial glass services.
Conclusion
The answer to the question ‘broken window what to do’ is a multi-step process. You should get everyone to a different room; you should take pictures and reach out to glass repair techs immediately. When you have a broken glass door, what to do is to put on safety gear and try to sweep up the shards. Avoid jostling the frame or DIYing a fix in such situations. We hope this article helped you understand what to do after a window breaks. For more queries, please ask us.
FAQS
what is the price of emergency glass door repair?
Experts can charge you $150-400 for emergency repairs.
How long does glass window repair take?
Depending on the window type, it can take 20-60 minutes.
What happens if the window frame is damaged too?
Replace the whole thing to avoid drafts and safety risks.
Can broken window glass be repaired?
In most cases, no. Broken glass is replaced with a new piece cut to fit. If the frame is in good shape, often only the glass needs to be replaced. A glass professional can check this for you. See our guide on repair or replacement for foggy windows if your glass is not broken but has moisture inside.
Should I vacuum broken glass?
Sweep the large pieces first with a broom and dustpan. Then use a vacuum for the small pieces. Do not run a vacuum over large shards, and check the filter afterward.
Does homeowners insurance cover a broken window?
It depends on your policy and what caused the damage. Take photos and contact your insurance company soon to ask.
Can I wait until morning to call a glass company?
If the opening is covered and secure and no one is in danger, you may be able to wait. If the opening is large, or you feel unsafe, call right away.
Need Help With Broken Glass?
Call Precision Glass & Mirror at (713) 534-7627 or contact our team to describe the problem. You can also read what customers say on our reviews page.