Broken windows are not ideal for any Pittsburgh homeowner. They can cause many problems in your home: hazardous conditions, allow moisture and cold or hot air in, invite pests and rodents in, and overall make your home less safe and comfortable than it was prior to the window breaking. We are going to review some of the most common causes of a broken window, so you can be on the lookout and try to avoid putting your home and family at risk.
Common Causes of a Broken Window
While a broken window can be caused by a number of different things, we have compiled a list below of the most common causes of a broken window. By knowing what could cause your window to break, you can try to protect your windows from some of the hazards and keep a look out for signs that a break may be imminent.
– Accidents: Let’s start with the obvious. One of the most common causes of a broken window is from an accident. Whether it being a poorly thrown baseball or football, golf ball hit off course, or dad’s clippers, accidents happen. There are some accidents that you can try to avoid, and others, unfortunately, may just happen. One way to try to protect your windows, is to have a designated play area away from windows.
– Weather: Mother Nature throws a lot at our windows, and sometimes, if the conditions are just right, it can lead to a broken window. Hail, ice, and heavy winds are some ways that weather can cause window damage. Also, extreme temperatures, and temperature changes, can put stress on windows and frames which can lead to damage and a broken window. There is really nothing you can do to prevent a broken window caused by the weather, because it is likely an unexpected event. If you have outdoor furniture or other items near your windows, when strong winds are anticipated to come, move them away from your windows to try to keep them from hitting the window and shattering the glass.
– Burglary: While no one really wants to think about it, if someone wants to get into your home, one of the easiest ways for them to do so, is to break your window. If you notice a cracked or broken window and see no obvious reason for the break, you may want to check around for an indication of tampering. It’s also important to remember that a window that’s already cracked or broken can serve as an easy entry point for an unwanted intruder.
– Birds: Birds often don’t realize it, but it is common for them to fly right into a window. Birds see reflections of the landscape in our windows and end up flying directly into them, and with enough force, it can shatter the window. Unless you can control a bird’s flight path, this common cause for a broken window is one that is hard to prevent.
– Wear and Tear: Time, like with all things, can take a toll on your windows. Despite your best efforts to increase the longevity of your home’s windows, glass can deteriorate over the years. In areas with high humidity and extreme temperature changes, like Pittsburgh, glass can expand and shrink, putting a strain on your windows. If you know that your windows are past their prime, it may be time to look into how new windows can make a difference in your home and prevent unexpected breaks.
– Existing Cracks: This one goes right with wear and tear. If your window already has a crack in it, it is more likely to break. A crack, no matter how small, compromises the integrity and strength of a window, making it more likely to break. Cracked glass should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage and safety hazards for your home.
While you can be on the lookout for some of the most common causes of a broken window, and try to prevent them, sometimes a broken window just happens.
Residential Glass is your local glass repair team. Our experts repair glass windows and doors for homes throughout the Pittsburgh area. We’re known for our fast service, quality work, and, most importantly, our great glass.
Call us to get a free estimate. We’ll come out to your home to take measurements, board up your broken window, and provide you an upfront quote for our Pittsburgh window repair services.
