Applying a Quick Fix to a Broken Window
The sound of a window breaking in your home can be quite concerning. The breakage may have been caused by your kids playing baseball or by strong winds during inclement weather. Regardless of the cause, you often need to attend to a broken window immediately. Not only is a broken window a security concern, but it can also drive up your heating and cooling costs. Before a window repair technician arrives at your home, you may need to apply a quick fix to seal the window as soon as possible. Here's how you can get it done.
Examine the damage
Your first step is to carefully examine the damage on the window. A cracked window may simply need to be taped up for stability, while a broken window may require a plastic cover.
Make sure you have a pair of heavy-duty gloves (cotton or leather) before you examine the window. If the glass is cracked, apply gentle pressure on the cracked area. This is to ensure that the cracked portion doesn't fall off the frame.
If the cracked glass is loose and likely to fall off, you may want to consider removing the glass and covering up your window frame.
Use tape to cover cracked glass
If the cracked glass is stable enough not to fall off, you're in luck. Cut a piece of packing tape and place it over the cracked area, on both sides of the panel if possible. Make sure the tape is firmly stuck to your window.
Patch up small holes
If the window is broken, you need to temporarily cover up the hole with a plastic film. Use your gloves to remove any loose glass particles that may fall off. Next, cut out a piece of film and use it to cover up the broken patch. This should hold steady until a repair technician arrives.
If the windowpane is loose, consider removing it
If the window glass is loose and at risk of falling off, consider removing the entire pane of glass from your windowpane. This sounds more complicated than it actually is. Using your gloves and a putty knife, simply pry out the sealant material and loosen the glass from its frame. Use your knife and thick gloves to remove all glass debris from the window.
You can then use a clear piece of plastic to cover up the resulting hole. Cut the plastic to size and use tape to adhere it firmly to the frame. If you have a piece of plywood, it may work better to cover up the missing glass before a technician arrives to handle the glass window repairs.
