Glass – in windshields and car and home windows, patio doors, and even on patio furniture – is vulnerable to a multitude of threats. Storm damage, falling branches, even errant baseballs can all damage or even break glass on and around your home. It’s no surprise, then, that yard work can be a dangerous task. Extra care when mowing the lawn can prevent injury and glass breakage in your auto and residential windows.

How Do Lawn Mowers Cause Window Breaks?

Throwing your lawn mower through a window after the twenty-third attempt to pull-start it isn’t the only threat to your auto and residential glass. In fact, the greatest threat comes from rocks, dog toys, balls, and other projectiles launching from your mower deck through the discharge chute – at up to 232 miles per hour! At those speeds, projectiles can cause serious injury to people and pets as well as damage to glass surfaces like windows on your house and car. 

A lawn mower’s rapidly spinning blades are designed to cut your grass evenly and do the work of keeping the lawn at an even height for you. But when the blades encounter anything other than grass, they don’t stop! Whatever is underneath your mower will be ejected from your lawn mower’s discharge chute – shooting out the side.

Even from a distance, that kind of power at the right angle can shatter even thick plate glass and double-paned windows. 

Who is Responsible for Glass Damage from a Lawn Mower?

Typically speaking, the operator of the lawn mower is responsible for any broken windows or other broken glass caused by a lawn mower accident. If you hire a landscaping company or other business to cut your grass and their equipment causes a window break, they are generally liable for the damage. If you’re cutting your own grass and a flying projectile crashes through your windows (or a neighbor’s), you’re most likely going to be responsible for paying for the damage. Sometimes, insurance will cover the cost of fixing windows – but that depends on your coverage! Considering the deductible on your insurance policy and any increases to your homeowner’s policy, it might be more cost-effective to fix the window entirely out of pocket.

How to Prevent Lawn Mowers from Breaking Windows

If you’re reading along and becoming increasingly terrified of mowing your own lawn – don’t worry! We have some tips for preventing damage to your home and auto glass:

• Check Your Lawn for Potential Projectiles Before You Mow. Walk your yard before mowing to remove any rocks approaching the size of a ping pong ball from your grass. Pick up any dog toys, balls, or other potential projectiles and put them somewhere they won’t cross paths with your lawn mower.

• Mow Regularly. Keeping your grass short not only makes for a neat, orderly yard, but it also prevents hidden dangers from flying up and into your windows. Mowing regularly will prevent your grass from becoming thick and causing extra wear and tear on your mower, too.

• Make Sure Your Lawn Mower’s Discharge Chute Has a Guard. Almost every lawn mower comes with a guard for the discharge chute. Sometimes, macho men remove the guard to prevent thick grass from getting caught up or blocking the discharge. Don’t! The guard gives grass and other discharge direction and will help guide it down to the ground around your lawn mower.
• Consider Bagging Your Grass. Using a bagging attachment with your lawn mower also gives grass and other debris a place to go – up into the bag! This will not only protect your home and auto glass but can also keep your yard neat and clean after a mow.

Hiegel Glass Can Fix or Replace Any Broken Window

If you’re reading along here because your lawn mower caused a broken window, you’re in luck. Hiegel Glass has been helping families like yours with standard and custom windows for decades! Our professional glaziers can fix any broken window – or other glass breakage. Call or visit us today for a free quote on window repair or replacement!