Safe Guide to Cleaning Up Broken Glass at Home

Why is Cleaning Broken Glass Properly Important?

Glass is beautiful and multi-functional, but it’s also breakable. Whether you’re at home or at work, glass breakage can be both complicated and dangerous. Maybe you slammed the storm door too hard, or baseball made contact with your window. Maybe there was a break-in at your store, and now the glass from the display window seems to be everywhere. No matter the cause of the breakage, you should have three priorities: safety, thorough clean-up, and quick replacement.

Step-by-Step Cleanup Process

What is the best way to clean up broken glass? First, make sure you have the right tools for the job. Wear sturdy rubber gloves, and gather a broom or brush, dust pan, a sturdy cardboard box, a screwdriver or putty knife, and a shop vacuum.

Start by securing the area, having everyone not involved in the cleanup leave, for the sake of safety.
The next step should be sweeping as much of the glass as possible, removing glass shards with the broom or brush and dust pan.
Dispose of the fragments in the cardboard box.
Run the shop vac, especially if the area is carpeted, to make sure all of the glass has been removed.
If the glass is from a window or door, clear the remaining glass from the frame carefully, using your gloved hands and a screwdriver or putty knife. If a piece won’t budge, remove the molding first.
Once you have removed all of the glass, use the shop vac to collect any stray shards from the channel where the glass was installed.
Tape a piece of cardboard over the broken window, if this is feasible.
Have the window replaced as quickly as possible.

Disposal Tips for Residential Glass Clean-Up

Once you have the glass in a box, what do you do with it? Ideally, recycle it. If this is not possible, make sure it is secured in a puncture-proof container, and label it clearly as broken glass before disposing of it. The most important thing is to prioritize safety for anyone who might handle the glass.

Preventing Future Residential and Commercial Glass Breakage

Sometimes, glass breakage is unavoidable. Here are some common causes of door glass breakage, and steps you can take to prevent them.

Accidents are a major cause of breakage, both of door glass and window glass. Whether it’s a commercial or residential property, accidents happen, and can cause damage as small as a crack or as devastating as a completely shattered piece of glass. To prevent this, create protective barriers in “danger zones” like high-traffic areas, and have tempered or laminated glass installed, so that it’s better at avoiding damage.
Weather, especially in areas with frequent severe weather like hurricanes, can damage doors and windows. What’s more, UV radiation from the sun can weaken the glass, so that when a storm hits, it’s more easily damaged. Weatherproof films can help reinforce glass, and using storm-resistant glass is even better.
Poorly installed glass is prone to breakage. Always hire professional glass installers to put in any glass, and choose durable framing materials as well as sturdy glass.
Wear and tear, along with structural shifting, can weaken glass over time. Pay attention to your glass, cleaning it with non-abrasive cleaners and looking for signs of early wear. If your door or window frames seem like they’re shifting, call a professional.
Vandalism is often a cause of breakage, particularly in commercial properties. To combat this, install security systems to deter burglars, use shatter-resistant or laminated glass, and reinforce glass doors with protective grilled or security films.

Preventative Maintenance: Avoiding Causes of Door Glass Breakage and Other Mishaps

Of course, prevention is better than repair. When you take care of your glass doors and windows, they will be less likely to break. The first step is to have them professionally installed, using modern, sturdy materials. Then, periodically check them for minor issues, before they become something larger. Weather proof them against extreme temperatures, humidity, and storms, and always clean them with soft cloths and mild detergents, taking care to clean the frames and seals as well.

For Residential and Commercial Replacement Door Glass, Contact Baker Glass

While you are cleaning up the mess, make a call to Baker Glass for a quick replacement of your broken glass. Since 1993, we have been serving Northeast Florida, providing fast, reliable glass services for residential and commercial properties. For customers needing windshield replacement, we have eight service vans ready to provide reliable on-site services in Jacksonville and throughout the surrounding areas. If you need commercial or residential glass replacement or new glass installation, our team is here to help, using innovative technology to provide the services you need. Businesses needing frameless glass entryways, glass partitions, glass storefronts, or window tinting can rely on Baker Glass to provide professional glass services to turn your business into an inviting, relaxing place. No matter what type of glass service you need, contact us to get started.