If you suddenly hear a loud crack or look out the window and notice a large line in the glass, you may have a sinking feeling in your chest. Having a broken window isn't something you need to deal with as a homeowner, but luckily there are things you can do if it happens to you. What can you do if your windows are cracked? Can you fix the problem yourself or do you need to hire a professional to help you?
If you've noticed that you have a cracked window, read on to learn more about what it may have caused and how to quickly repair or replace your windows.
What caused the broken window?
As you can imagine, there are a number of things that can lead to a broken window. However, it is important to narrow down the events to prevent them from occurring again in the future. This way you can also find out whether your window needs to be replaced or whether the damage can be remedied by a temporary or permanent fix. Most windows are very durable, so you may be able to find out how they cracked based on the size of the crack. There are many things that can cause a broken or cracked window, including thermal fluctuations, drastic changes in the printing system, and things that hit your window. Knowing these three common causes can help prevent the crack from ruining your window.
Temperature stress
A temperature stress crack begins small and becomes larger as it extends across the glass. You can usually find them at the edge of a window. The most common reason for a stress crack is temperature changes. If there is a large temperature difference between your house and outside, your window pane will be stressed. Another reason for general stress cracks (not temperature-dependent) can be that the window slams shut or the window falls.
Force or impact
An impact fracture occurs when a person or object hits the glass by the window. This could be something like hail, stones hurled at the window or a stray baseball. This breakage occurs when a sudden force hits the glass and changes the structure. You can see from the appearance whether your window tear is such an interruption. If it spreads in a star pattern that goes away from the point of impact, it is an impact break. During this type of break, you need to speak to a window specialist about whether your window can be repaired or whether a window change is required. It is not a good idea to remove the broken window without help as there is a risk of injuring yourself with broken glass.
Printing system change
This is the least common type of crack and generally occurs suddenly. A pressure crack forms on double windows. If the printing system changes drastically due to the weather, a crack may form in the window. Placing your window in your house can increase the risk. If the windows are too high or too low, a pressure crack can occur. A crack of this type usually looks more curved, which is a telltale sign that it is a pressure crack. If your window cracks in this way, it is recommended to complete the window replacement, as a repair may not be a permanent solution.
Do you need to replace the entire window?
As you may guess, depending on the severity and type of crack, whether you need to replace the window or not. This is why it is so important to know the difference between the types of window cracks and how these cracks occur at all. If your window cracks due to changes in temperature or a drop in force, you may be able to have the window repaired by a specialist. However, if your window is cracked due to pressure changes, replacing the entire window is the best option.
A crack that is smaller than 30 cm can be professionally repaired with a permanent repair. Cracks larger than 30 cm or chips larger than a quarter are likely to result in the entire window glass pane having to be replaced. If you have no experience with window repairs, you should probably hire a professional to assess window damage. Otherwise, you can make mistakes yourself that can cost you more later.
Replace or repair: you decide
If you are dealing with a broken window, it is better to take action sooner rather than later. Otherwise there is a risk that the crack will become larger and deeper and the repair costs will increase. Nobody wants to deal with a broken window, but now that you understand what caused the crack, you're better prepared to deal with it. Are you looking for other tips you can use around the house? Would you like to learn more about DIY and home improvement? If so, visit our website to see what changes you can make to your home today!
