Everything You Need to Know About Fixing Cracked Windows in Rental Units

Windows keep your home’s interior temperature comfortable and help regulate the amount of natural light that passes into it. When one cracks or breaks, it can be a serious problem.

Here’s what to do if you notice a broken window in your apartment, and how to go about repairing it:

Who’s Responsible for Fixing It?

If you’re living in a rental unit, most of the repairs are the landlord’s responsibility. However, that is less likely to be the case if you directly caused the damage. For instance, if you’re playing with a soccer ball in your house and accidentally break a window pane, you will have to cover the repair costs. Keep in mind that the landlord must be able to prove that you broke the glass when they ask you to cover the repairs. This is important because some landlords could ask you to cover the cost of repairs when you didn’t cause the damage.

Repairing a Cracked Window

If you accidentally break your window, there are several ways to repair it yourself. However, it’s essential to note that not all broken window glasses are repairable. In most cases, window cracks can be improved, especially if they’re small. Once they start to get bigger, the chances of successfully repairing the crack start to shrink. To avoid such cases, it’s recommended that you frequently inspect your windows for cracks and minor dings you can fix within a short time.

The total cost of repairing a cracked window glass depends on multiple factors, including the size of the pane, the type of glass, and of course, the size of the crack. If you’re unsure of whether or not you can fix the crack in your window, you’ll need to consult an expert. While not all cracks are repairable, detecting them early on and correcting them will go a long way towards saving you money. Leaving the crack unattended for several weeks could result in the whole window breaking, so you’ll want to deal with this issue in as timely a manner as possible.

Before starting the repair process, the first thing you need to do is assess the extent of the crack. It would help if you also tried to establish the cause of the crack. This is important because the cause of damage could determine who covers the repair costs. Plus, it’ll probably help prevent window cracks in the future. Examining the shape and length of the crack is also very important. For instance, if the crack is in an area where damage risk is high, you’ll most likely need stronger window glasses to prevent future damage.

After thoroughly inspecting the damage, it’s time to start the repair process. Here are some of the easiest ways to repair a cracked window pane:

Epoxy

Using epoxy demands time but yields the best results. That’s because epoxy delivers the most robust seal and makes your cracked window look good as new. Best of all, epoxy doesn’t leave any marks behind that might alert visitors to prior damage. To use it, start by thoroughly cleaning your window, then filling the crack with epoxy. You may need to repeat this process a few times to ensure the crack is thoroughly sealed. After a successful application, scrape off the extra resin to leave your window in excellent condition.

Nail Polish or Glue

You can also fix your cracked window glass with nail polish or glue. Just remember that the type of nail polish or glue you use for this purpose is critical. This is because some types of glue aren’t effective for crack repairs and could leave your window more vulnerable to damage. It would help if you stuck to liquid nail polish that helps keep the broken glass together. Nail polish is primarily effective for this purpose because it’s made of sticky liquids. Once it dries, it holds your window in place. But whether you use nail polish or glue, you’ll want to make sure the substance you use is clear. This is important because using colored glue or nail polish can significantly affect your window’s appearance.

Tape

While fixing tape over the cracked area will significantly affect your home’s curb appeal, it does help seal the crack and prevent enlarging. Using tape to fix window cracks is by far the easiest method of doing so. If you decide to apply this method, use clear packaging tape. Alternatively, you can use clear adhesive tape that doesn’t cause unnecessary distraction.