Discovering a broken window after a break-in is stressful. Your immediate priorities are safety, security, and contacting the police and your insurer. Here's a step-by-step guide to what you should do and how the repair works.
Immediate Steps After a Break-In
Do not touch anything until the police have attended and confirmed it is safe to do so — disturbing the scene could compromise fingerprint or forensic evidence. Once the police have attended, call your insurer and make a note of the crime reference number. Do not attempt to clean up broken glass without thick gloves and sturdy footwear. Document the damage with photographs before boarding up or clearing up.
Boarding Up the Window
Once you have police and insurer sign-off, the priority is to secure the opening against further entry and the weather. Use thick plywood cut to size and secured with screws into the window frame or the surrounding wall, or heavy polythene sheeting for a short-term overnight fix. The Glass Guardian offers emergency boarding and glass replacement services and can attend quickly to make the property secure again.
Insurance and the Repair
Most home insurance policies cover glass breakage as part of a break-in claim. Keep all receipts and invoices for emergency work, as these can be included in your claim. A UPVC specialist will measure the opening, supply a replacement sealed unit to the correct specification, and fit it — usually within a day or two of ordering the glass. In most cases the frame is retained; only the glass unit needs replacing.
Upgrading Security After a Break-In
After a break-in, it's worth reviewing the security of all your windows and doors. The Glass Guardian recommends upgrading to anti-snap euro cylinders on all external doors, fitting window locks on any windows that lack them, and checking that all multi-point locking systems are functioning correctly. We can assess and upgrade your UPVC security across Birmingham and the Black Country.
Need a UPVC Repair in Birmingham or the Black Country?
The Glass Guardian provides fast, affordable UPVC window and door repairs across Birmingham, Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton, and the surrounding area. Call for a free quote.