【Typhoon Home Guide】A Complete Guide to Windproofing, Window Leakage First Aid, and Broken Glass Insurance Claims

Taping Glass Windows

The most vulnerable part of a glass window is its exact center. As long as the tape covers the center of the glass during application, it can effectively reinforce the window's structure and enhance its load-bearing capacity, which is more effective than taping only the edges. Furthermore, the "asterisk" (米) taping pattern provides greater coverage than the "X" shape, offering more support points at the center of the glass. If the glass unfortunately shatters, the shards are also less likely to scatter everywhere, making this pattern more suitable for general household use.

Aluminum Window Waterproofing Inspection and Drain Clearance

Carefully inspect the edges where the glass meets the window frame, especially the internal and external rubber sealing strips. Touch the rubber strips to see if they have hardened, lost their elasticity, cracked, or even broken apart. Next, check the drainage holes at the bottom of the window frame; if they haven't been cleaned for a long time, they may be clogged with dust or sand, leading to water seepage. Since these drainage holes are very small, you need to look closely and can use a thin wire or a toothpick to gently poke into the holes to clean them. Additionally, look for water stains on the inner side of the window frame during heavy rain; if present, it means there is already a leak. If you cannot determine the exact location of the seepage, you should seek professional assistance.

Turning Off Air Conditioners on the Windward Side

When the motor inside an air conditioner operates, it draws indoor air into the unit and expels hot air outdoors to dissipate heat. If strong winds blow directly into the rear of the air conditioner, it may make it difficult for the fan to rotate, which can cause damage or even overheating over time. Although many modern air conditioners are equipped with wind-buffering backplates and overheating protection mechanisms, it is still not recommended to use air conditioners located on the windward side during strong winds. In the event that you must use them, you should pay close attention to the unit's condition during operation, such as whether there are any unusual noises or if the operating sound becomes significantly louder.

Staying Away from Doors and Windows

Avoid standing near windows and doorways on the windward side of the house. You should stay in a safe indoor area to prevent injuries from flying shards if the glass is suddenly shattered by strong winds. This requires extra attention for high-floor units and waterfront apartments.

Moving Outdoor Items Indoors

Many residential units in Hong Kong are equipped with balconies. If there are non-fixed items placed on the balcony, such as laundry racks or chairs, they should be moved back indoors before the typhoon hits to eliminate the risk of items falling from heights when subjected to strong winds.

A popular rumor suggests that opening windows during a typhoon can balance the wind force. In reality, doing so not only makes it easier for rain and strong winds to enter the interior but also increases indoor wind pressure, raising the risk of windows shattering. The correct approach is to close the main door as well as all interior doors—such as bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen doors—to "compartmentalize" the indoor space. This minimizes the rise in indoor pressure and reduces the risk of breaking glass.

What to Do with Window Sill / Window Edge Water Leakage?

Many people choose to stuff towels along window edges to absorb water and prevent leaks. However, the water-retaining nature of towels can easily cause walls to mold. To prevent seepage, you can roll up newspapers into thick strips and seal or wedge them tightly into the window gaps after closing the windows firmly. If newspapers are unavailable, plastic wrap can be used as a substitute. Additionally, you can open the window, place a plastic garbage bag over the gap where water enters, and then close the window to fill the gap, reducing the chance of water entering through the window.

Causes of Shattered Glass and Immediate Safety Procedures

According to the Hong Kong Observatory, there are three main reasons why glass shatters during a typhoon:

1. Hard objects blown up by strong winds strike the glass window, causing it to shatter.

2. The windward side of a building is directly affected by wind pressure (i.e., wind load) that exceeds what the glass window can withstand.

3. Due to the close proximity of buildings in urban areas, when strong winds pass through narrow channels, they accelerate due to the wind tunnel effect. This simultaneously drops the air pressure inside the channel, creating a suction force on the buildings on both sides, which may pull objects on the building surface (such as glass or air conditioners) outdoors. Furthermore, when strong winds blow past a single standalone building, a positive pressure zone is created on the windward side as the airflow decelerates. If there is an opening on the windward side of the building (such as gaps between windows), positive pressure will also be generated indoors, resulting in a pressure differential that increases the chance of glass shattering.

If a window unfortunately shatters during a typhoon, stay calm and do not panic. Immediately take elderly family members and children away from the area. Under safe conditions (prioritizing personal safety), remove any items near the window that could fall due to the wind, and then turn off or move away any electrical devices in that area (such as computers or televisions). Never use any objects to block the shattered window area. Afterwards, seal off the zone (such as closing the room door) to protect personal safety.

Finally, call the property management office immediately for assistance. (The management office will generally bring large barrier boards to seal the area, set up warning notices in the public space directly below the location, and clear the glass shards or cordon off the area after the gale passes).

Air Conditioner Leakage 

Window-type air conditioners are an essential home appliance for many households in Hong Kong. Since most window-type air conditioners are sealed with silicone gel along the edges of the unit, aging sealant can become a high-risk area for water seepage. This is especially true during typhoon seasons, when heavy rain combined with strong wind pressure means that even minor damage to the sealant is enough to cause severe water seepage. Moreover, water accumulated inside the unit can potentially be blown back into the house by the wind pressure. A simple fix is to first try closing the fresh air vent. If the situation is severe, you will need to find a professional to inspect it or even replace it with a new air conditioner.

Generally speaking, home insurance covers damage caused by typhoons. However, it is important to note that what we commonly understand as "home insurance" is actually a comprehensive combination of different coverages. Among them, home contents insurance targets the possessions inside the residence, such as jewelry, electronic products, and personal effects, covering losses resulting from incidents like theft, fire, flooding, and typhoons.

In addition, different insurance companies and various home insurance plans have varying scopes of coverage, and compensation claims are subject to maximum limits. Policyholders should also pay attention to the exclusions in the terms. For instance, certain valuable items like luxury watches and famous paintings may require an additional premium to be covered. Even if coverage is provided, there will be a cap on the insured amount.

Like many insurance policies, home insurance has a "waiting period." The insurance coverage will not take effect during this waiting period, so you should never scramble at the last minute to buy insurance right before a typhoon hits. Furthermore, there is a regulation regarding the "unoccupancy period," where properties left vacant for more than 30 consecutive days are not covered.

Third-Party Liability Coverage for Shattered Glass and Flying Aluminum Windows 

If a pedestrian is injured due to shattered glass or an aluminum window falling onto the street, and the relevant party files a claim against the property owner, the third-party legal liability under home insurance will come into play.

As for the repair costs of the window itself, does it fall under home insurance or fire insurance (building insurance)? This mainly depends on whether the windows are original or installed after moving in. Original windows are part of the building structure and are naturally covered by fire insurance. On the other hand, if the aluminum windows were replaced or installed during renovations after moving in, they fall within the scope of home insurance.

Is Damage to Furniture Caused by Window Seepage Compensated? 

When strong winds damage windows or torrential rain leads to water seepage, which subsequently ruins your furniture, appliances, or wooden flooring, home insurance will provide compensation. However, if walls become moldy due to long-term water seepage, or the bathroom's waterproofing layer ages and causes ceiling drips, insurance companies usually classify this as "wear and tear" or a maintenance issue and will refuse the claim. For more details on home water leakage compensation under home insurance, you can read: How Does Home Insurance Compensate for Leaks? A Complete Guide to Upstairs Leaks, Ceiling Seepage, and Burst Pipes.