Power Out, Window Smashed: A GTA Homeowner’s After-Storm Checklist

The power just came back on, or maybe it hasn’t yet. Either way, you’ve stepped outside to find a tree branch through your living room window and glass scattered across the floor. Following a clear storm damage checklist for Ontario homeowners in the first hour matters more than most people realize. Rush in without checking for hazards, or skip the photos before cleanup starts, and you could end up with a denied insurance claim or a real injury on top of a broken window. Once you’ve checked for hazards and documented everything, calling a trusted board up window service GTA homeowners rely on is the next step to secure your home fast.

Storms in southern Ontario have gotten more frequent and more damaging in recent years, and insurers are paying out record amounts because of it. That means the choices you make in the next 24 to 72 hours (what you check, what you photograph, who you call) can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of stress. Here’s exactly what to do, step by step.

Is It Safe to Go Near a Broken Window After a Storm?

High winds and falling branches can damage the equipment that connects your home to the power grid, and this kind of damage is often invisible until someone looks closely. The Electrical Safety Authority recommends checking whether your electrical mast has pulled away from the wall or the meter base before assuming it’s safe to restore power. Always treat a downed line as live, and stay at least 10 metres back. If you’re running a generator, keep it outdoors, away from windows and vents, and never wire it directly into your home’s electrical system.

What Storm Damage Should You Photograph Before Cleanup?

Photograph and video every damaged window, door, wall, and roof section before you sweep up a single piece of glass. Insurers and disaster assistance programs need this evidence, and it’s much harder to prove damage after the debris is gone.

Take wide shots of each room and close-ups of cracks, holes, and water intrusion. If food spoiled during the outage, photograph it before tossing it out, since food-loss claims often require proof. Save every receipt for emergency repairs like board-up services or hotel stays, because these costs are often reimbursable through your insurer’s additional living expenses coverage or through provincial disaster assistance if it’s activated for your area.

Understanding Your Wind and Hail Deductible

Many Ontario home insurance policies renewed since early 2026 carry a separate wind and hail deductible, and it’s often much higher than people expect. Instead of a flat $1,000, it might be calculated as a percentage of your home’s insured value, sometimes 1% to 5%.

This shift is happening because storm claims across Canada have grown sharply. Insurance Bureau of Canada data shows insured losses from severe weather nearly tripled between 2016 and 2025 compared to the decade before. Before you file a claim, pull out your policy’s declarations page and check the actual deductible that applies to wind and hail damage, not just the number you remember from years ago.

How Do You Safely Board Up a Broken Window?

Clear loose glass carefully, measure the window opening (adding a few extra inches on each side), cut plywood to size, and screw it into the surrounding frame. Wear gloves and eye protection the entire time, since glass can hide in places you don’t expect.

If the storm is still active or the window is high up or hard to reach, boarding up yourself isn’t worth the risk. Heavy-duty plastic sheeting and duct tape can work as a short-term seal against wind and rain until a professional arrives. Board-up is meant to be temporary. It protects your home overnight, but it’s not a fix, and leaving a boarded window too long invites moisture damage and drafts. This is exactly where a board up window service GTA homeowners can call any hour, like J&R’s window glass repair across the GTA, fits into the picture: secure the opening fast, then schedule the permanent glass replacement.

Avoiding Storm-Chasing Contractors

After every major Ontario storm, out-of-town contractors show up offering fast repairs and demanding payment upfront. Don’t sign anything on the spot. Verify that any contractor is properly licensed and insured, and check reviews or a business bureau listing before handing over a deposit.

J&R Window & Door Services has been serving Brampton and the GTA since 1988, with every technician licensed and insured in Ontario. Local, established companies are far easier to hold accountable than a crew that’s already left town by the time a problem shows up.

When Should You Call a Professional Instead of DIY?

Call a professional if the window frame is damaged, if you have multiple broken windows, or if the damage involves hail and you need documentation for a claim. These situations go beyond a simple board-up and often affect your home’s structure or your insurance payout.

A cracked or bent frame can compromise the seal around a window, creating security and energy-efficiency problems that plywood alone won’t solve. Wide-spread breakage can also signal roof or siding damage that needs a full assessment, not just a patched window. And when multiple windows are involved or hail is part of the story, having a licensed technician document and repair the damage properly makes your insurance claim much smoother.

Conclusion

A storm can turn your home upside down in minutes, but a clear plan keeps you safe and protects your wallet. Check for hidden electrical hazards first, photograph everything before cleanup, and know your actual deductible before you file a claim. Board up broken glass carefully as a stopgap, not a long-term fix, and skip any contractor who showed up out of nowhere.

Frequently Asked Questions