We all hope and pray that we never have to break a car window in a critical emergency. Regardless, it’s important to educate yourself on how to do this, so you can take action if necessary. Learn more about how to break auto glass during an emergency with this helpful information.
For help with auto glass repair in Baytown at any time, get in touch with our team.
What Type of Auto Glass Do You Need to Break?
Breaking auto glass isn’t as easy as it may sound, but it could be necessary in certain emergency situations. The first step in successfully breaking the glass is identifying what type of glass you are dealing with. Is it the tempered glass found in side windows and back windshields, or is it laminated glass found in the front windshield? The two types of glass break differently, with tempered glass shattering into small pieces and laminated glass breaking but remaining in one piece. Tempered glass breaks much more easily and quickly, while laminated glass can take more time and effort.
What You Need to Break Auto Glass in an Emergency
In an emergency, knowing how to break auto glass could be the difference between life and death. It’s important to remember that breaking a car window should only be done in extreme circumstances, for example, if someone is trapped inside a vehicle due to flooding water or a car accident.
You’ll need a specialized tool like a window punch or emergency hammer, if available. If not, try to use another metal item such as the prongs of a removable headrest, the metal tip of your seatbelt, a Yeti water bottle, or a common working tool such as a hammer or a heavy wrench. Wear a pair of glasses or sunglasses if you can to avoid injury from flying glass. Remember, breaking auto glass should be a last resort, so always call for professional help first if possible.
Technique for Breaking Tempered Auto Glass
Imagine you’re trapped inside a car on a steaming hot Texas day with the doors jammed shut and windows that won’t budge. The pressure inside the car is mounting as you become more desperate to escape. In this kind of emergency situation, knowing how to break the tempered auto glass can make all the difference. In newer vehicles, the driver and passenger windows may be laminated, making them much more difficult to break. However, the rear windows may still be tempered, so you may want to start with one of those first.
The key is to apply pressure in the right way with your tool. Aim for a weak point of the window, like where the door panel meets the glass pane. Use your tool to sharply hit the glass in one of the corners of the driver’s or passenger’s side window. You’re trying to create multiple small chips or cracks to weaken the overall pane of glass.
Starting with the edges, repeat this as you work your way around the windows toward the middle. Eventually, the entire sheet of glass should shatter, and you can kick it out of the way with your foot, or push it out with your hands well-wrapped in a coat or blanket.
During an emergency, it’s critical to remain as calm as possible. Remember, always stay level-headed and try different methods until you find one that works.
Remove All Broken Glass and Reset Alarms
with Baytown Auto Glass Repair
After the experience of going through an emergency requiring you to break your car window, no doubt you’ll want things to get back to normal as quickly as possible. A smashed car window is not only inconvenient, but it can also pose a safety risk if not handled properly. If you’ve experienced broken auto glass, you may still find tiny shards of glass everywhere in your vehicle, even after the initial clean-up.
That’s why it’s important to enlist the help of professionals to ensure that all remaining shards and debris are removed thoroughly. Even if you think you’ve gotten everything, there are often hidden pieces inside the door panel itself that can make the new window work improperly, or even cause it to crack. our Baytown auto glass repair experts are here to help. They will not only decontaminate the car from broken glass, but they will expertly replace your window.
Additionally, if your car’s alarm system was triggered by the broken glass, they can help reset it for you, giving you peace of mind knowing that your car is secure. Trusting the experts to tackle the job will provide peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is in top condition.
Baytown Auto Glass Repair to Restore Your Vehicle
Remember, a car window is designed to withstand force and breakage. Breaking auto glass isn’t easy, and it needs to be done carefully. It’s always best if someone else can help you, if possible. If you find yourself in an emergency situation like this, use what you have on hand to break the glass as safely as possible, and remove as much glass as you can.
For auto glass repair needs after an accident, Joey’s Glass can provide full-service auto glass repair for drivers in the Baytown area. Our expert technicians have years of experience in automotive glass repair and replacement. Simply contact us for an estimate or booking—we’ll be more than glad to help.