When Your Windshield Is Damaged: Do You Need A Repair Or A Replacement?
Posted on: 12 May 2017
Share
When your auto glass gets chipped or cracked, you'll want to bring in your car to get looked at right away. Even when a crack is small, they can spread easily if the crack is all the way through the glass. Small chips in your glass may not be a big deal, but in the right spot they can inhibit your vision of the road. If you have any concerns about the structural integrity of your windshield, a mobile windshield repair company will be able to tell you if your windshield can be repaired or if you need a completely new windshield. Your windshield is an important part of your vehicle and it's important that you drive around safely.
Small Cracks Spread Quickly
If you have a tiny crack in your windshield, a quick repair may be all that you need. If you ignore the crack for too long, the action of driving down the road can cause the crack to spread. Once the crack gets too long, your entire windshield will need to be replaced. If the crack is in your line of site, it doesn't matter how small it is, it will need to be fixed immediately.
Cracks Can Spider Out
A crack in your windshield that begins to spider out, resembling a spider web, means that you'll need to replace your windshield. Once the crack goes beyond one line, it's no longer possible to fix the crack effectively. In addition, if you try to drive your car around with a crack that is like a spider web, you are risking your safety. While the windshield may not shatter, the glass may come into your car and onto you from the slightest jarring.
A Chip or Two May or May Not Need to Be Addressed
A tiny chip in your windshield can usually be ignored. If the chip is larger than a nickel, you may want to have the chip looked at. If it isn't bothering your line of sight, you can likely get away with not having the chip fixed. If there is more than one chip and they are within inches of one another, you'll need to have the chips repaired. While chips don't always pose a hazard, several in close proximity can significantly weaken your windshield.
If you have some slight damage to your windshield and you aren't sure what to do, your safest bet is to bring your car in to professionals like FB Glass to be assessed for repair or replacement.