In Rapid City and throughout the Black Hills, hailstorms can arrive quickly and leave behind more damage than many homeowners realize. While a shattered window is obvious, even small chips, cracked seals, and impact damage can create bigger problems in the days and weeks that follow.
If your home was hit by hail, the most important thing is to act quickly. Taking the right steps immediately can help prevent additional damage, simplify the insurance process, and ensure your home stays secure and weather-tight.
At Hagen Glass, we’ve been helping Black Hills homeowners protect and improve their homes since 1994. Here’s what we recommend doing after a hailstorm damages your home’s glass.
Start With Safety and Prevent Further Damage
Once the storm has passed, your first priority should be keeping your family safe and minimizing water intrusion.
Broken glass can be deceptive. Even if a window appears mostly intact, impacts from hail can weaken the glass and create hidden fractures that may spread later. Keep children and pets away from affected areas, and avoid touching or pushing on cracked glass.
If rain is entering through broken windows or damaged patio doors, move furniture, electronics, rugs, and valuables away from the affected area as quickly as possible. Every minute that water enters your home increases the risk of damage to flooring, drywall, insulation, and trim.
Temporary protection may be necessary until permanent repairs can be completed. Depending on the damage, this could involve covering openings with plywood or weather-resistant materials to keep the elements out and your home secure.
Take Photos Before You Begin Cleanup
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make after a storm is cleaning up before documenting the damage. Before removing broken glass or making temporary repairs, take photos of everything. Capture wide shots of your home’s exterior, then take close-up images of damaged windows, patio doors, sidelights, skylights, or other impacted glass.
Be sure to photograph any interior damage as well, including wet flooring, stained drywall, damaged furnishings, or other signs that water entered the home. These photos can be incredibly valuable when filing an insurance claim and may help ensure all storm-related damage is properly documented.
Look Beyond the Obvious Damage
Not all hail damage is immediately visible.
As you inspect your home, pay close attention to:
- Small chips or star-shaped impact marks
- Hairline cracks in windows or glass doors
- Fogging or moisture between insulated glass panes
- Damaged screens and bent window frames
- Misaligned patio doors
- Leaks or water staining around windows
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that a window can sustain storm damage without completely breaking. Sometimes the insulated seal fails, allowing moisture to develop between panes. Other times, glass may crack weeks after the storm due to temperature fluctuations and stress from the original impact.
If you’re unsure whether damage requires repair or replacement, a professional inspection can provide clarity.
Contact Your Insurance Company Promptly
If hail has damaged your home’s glass, don’t wait too long to start the claims process. Most insurance providers expect homeowners to report damage promptly and take reasonable steps to prevent additional losses. Contact your carrier as soon as possible, explain the situation, and ask about their specific claim requirements.
Keep records of:
- Photos and videos of the damage
- Temporary repair expenses
- Emergency service invoices
- Notes from inspections
- Communication with your insurance representative
Having organized documentation can make the process smoother and reduce delays.
Should You Repair the Glass or Replace It?
One of the most common questions homeowners ask after a hailstorm is whether damaged glass can simply be repaired. The answer depends on the severity of the damage.
Minor chips may sometimes be repairable if the glass remains structurally sound and the insulated seal hasn’t been compromised. However, replacement is often the safer long-term solution when cracks are present, the seal has failed, or the surrounding frame has also been damaged.
At Hagen Glass, we help homeowners evaluate all available options. Our goal is never to recommend more than you need, but we also want to ensure your home remains safe, efficient, and properly protected from future weather events.
A Storm Can Be an Opportunity to Upgrade
When replacement is necessary, many homeowners choose to improve their home’s performance rather than simply replacing damaged products with similar materials.
Hagen Glass proudly offers both Minnkota Windows™ and ProVia® windows and doors, giving homeowners high-quality options built to perform in the demanding conditions of western South Dakota.
Manufactured in the Dakotas, Minnkota Windows™ are designed with durability, energy efficiency, and ease of use in mind. Their unique tilt-turn operation provides excellent ventilation, simple cleaning, and outstanding performance during harsh Black Hills weather. Many homeowners also appreciate their low-maintenance design and customizable appearance.
For homeowners looking for premium performance and long-term value, ProVia® products offer an excellent solution. These American-made windows and doors are custom-built for each project and engineered for energy efficiency, durability, and lasting beauty. With strong warranties and a variety of customization options, ProVia® products are a popular choice for homeowners rebuilding after storm damage.
If you’re replacing a single damaged unit or considering a larger upgrade, our team can help you find the right solution for your home and budget.
Work With a Local Team You Can Trust
When storm damage happens, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by cleanup, insurance paperwork, and repair decisions. That’s why working with a trusted local company matters.
As a family-owned business serving Rapid City and the Black Hills since 1994, Hagen Glass has built a reputation for quality workmanship, exceptional customer service, and professional installation. We understand the unique weather challenges homeowners face in our region, and we’re committed to helping you restore your home with confidence.
Schedule Your Storm Damage Inspection
If your windows, patio doors, entry door glass, or other residential glass were damaged during a recent hailstorm, don’t wait for a small problem to become a larger one. The Hagen Glass team can assess the damage, help you determine whether repair or replacement is the best option, and provide the documentation you need to move forward with your insurance claim.
Contact Hagen Glass today for a free estimate and inspection, and let our experienced team help you protect your home and “Experience the Quality.”
