Residential Glass Repair in Perth: Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Glass is a common feature in most Perth homes. It's used in windows, doors, balconies, pool fences, mirrors, shelves, and more. However, glass can easily crack, break, or shatter due to various reasons. When this happens, it not only looks unsightly but can also be a safety hazard.

Fortunately, there are glass repair specialists in Perth who can assess the damage and repair or replace the glass for you. This article will discuss some of the common glass issues in Perth homes and how a residential glass repair company can fix them.

Causes of Glass Damage

There are several factors that commonly cause glass breakage or cracks in Perth homes:

Extreme weather events like hailstorms, heavy winds, etc. Perth's variable climate makes glass vulnerable to weather damage.

Accidental human impact from stones, balls, etc., especially in doors and windows facing the backyard.

Minor movements or vibrations in buildings over time stressing the glass panels.

Manufacturing faults in glass like nickel sulfide inclusions. This causes spontaneous breakage later on.

wiring issues leading to differences in thermal expansion and contraction.

Common Glass Repair Issues

Here are some typical glass damage issues that Perth homeowners often have to deal with:

Cracked Window Panes

A small crack may seem harmless initially. But it weakens the glass structure and can spread leading to the entire window shattering later. Getting minor cracks repaired prevents more extensive damage.

Broken Glass Doors

Sliding doors and entrance doors with broken glass are unsafe and must be repaired immediately. Exposed broken glass edges also increase the chances of injury.

Splintered Shower Screens

Shower screens, made from toughened glass, can get chipped or splintered over time due to hard water stains or hitting by bathroom products. Damaged screens must be replaced.

Mirror Chips

Chipped mirrors may seem purely aesthetic issues. But they can fall off completely and injure someone. It's best to get minor mirror chips fixed.

Wired Glass Repair

Wired glass is used as a safety glass to prevent shattering. But the wired core can corrode over time. This glass must be entirely replaced even if the damage seems minor.

How a Glass Repair Specialist Can Help?

Instead of replacing entire glass panels or doors, a residential glass repair company can fix these issues efficiently. Here is how:

Assessment

They assess the type of glass, extent of damage and best repair approach - whether to repair, replace glass or install security film.

Crack Injection

Using specialized resin material, narrow cracks up to 300mm are injected and bonded. This prevents spreading.

Edge Grinding

For minor chips or splintered edges, precision grinding and polishing give clean smoothed edges.

Obscure Film

Etched safety films can be installed on damaged glass to hold fragments together preventing shattering.

Laminated Glass

For severely cracked glass, laminated glass that sandwiches a resin interlayer between two glass sheets offer safety and security.

Glass Replacement

Damaged wired glass or extensively broken glass panels are replaced entirely by glass repair professionals. They can source compatible replacement glass suited for doors, windows, mirrors, etc.

Tips to Prevent Glass Breakage

While some amount of glass damage is inevitable, there are ways you can minimize cracks, chips or breakage issues. Here are useful tips to prevent common glass issues in your Perth home:

Outdoor Protection Use secure screens/grills – Install outdoor security screens or grille gates over doors and windows to prevent accidental damage from balls, stones, etc. Ensure screens are firmly fitted.

Strategic landscaping – Carefully trim trees/plants to maintain safe distance from the house. Falling branches can damage glass during storms. Remove sharp gravel beds near glass doors/windows.

Parking care – Open car doors cautiously when parked facing house glass panes. Repeated banging of car doors can stress the glass.

Indoor Care Prevent vibration– Place soft pads beneath appliances on glass shelves to absorb vibrations during use. Don't slam doors/windows that can vibrate nearby loose glass accessories.

Temperature regulation– Avoid putting hot pans directly from stove onto glass dining tables. Rapid temperature shifts create thermal stress on glass. Maintain cooling/heating gradually.

Protect glass edges – Install clear corner guards on sharp glass table edges or shelves at child level to prevent chips if struck accidentally. Use padded cushions/tape on glass furniture edges.

Avoid harsh cleaning – Don't use abrasive scouring pads, blades or powders to clean glass surfaces as they weaken surface. Use soft cloths with mild cleaner instead.

Kid-proofing – Ensure wandering kids don't access rooms with floor-length glass doors/partitions alone. Curiosity can lead to accidents. Use safety films on such glass panes.

Choosing a Glass Repair Service

With many options for residential glass repair in Perth, choose a provider carefully based on:

Relevant Experience

Select companies specializing in residential glass repair jobs with 5+ years’ experience. They must be familiar with properties of different glass types – float, annealed, toughened, laminated, etc.

Skilled Technicians

Well-trained glaziers and specialized glass builders must be competent in techniques like crack repairs, edge grinding, glass slicing, obscuration, etc. needed for damage restoration.

Safety Standards

The company must adhere to Australian safety guidelines regarding glass materials, durability, human impact resistance, fragment retention films, etc. They must know suitable glass for different applications like windows, doors, shelves, pool fences, balustrades, mirrors, etc.

Quality and Warranties

Opt for companies that source good quality glass materials from reliable vendors and offer warranties of at least 2 years on new glass installations. Warranties must cover glass performance, durability as well as workmanship.

Insurance Coverage

Reputed companies carry public and employee liability insurance besides workers compensation coverage for client protection as well as safety of their own repair staff.

Range of Services

Choose providers offering comprehensive glass requirements beyond just repair – like custom mirrors, shower screens, splash backs, balustrades, pool fencing, window films etc. Some even provide emergency replacement services.

Final Words

Minor glass chips, cracks or breakages left unaddressed can lead to injury risks and property damage later. There are experienced residential glass repair companies in Perth that can assess and fix these issues through crack repair, edge grinding, safety films or glass replacement. Getting glass damage issues fixed promptly is highly recommended.