Do you have a chip or crack in your windshield? No matter how small, any blemish on your windscreen should be attended to immediately to prevent spreading and further damage.
For any type of chip or crack in your windshield, the damage will need to be assessed to answer the big question: Repair or Replace?
Obviously, you will want to try to fix any windshield issues with a repair if at all possible, as it is much less involved and expensive.
How Do I Know if a Repair or Replacement is Needed?
That all depends on the size and nature of the chip or crack on your windshield.
In most cases, it is best left to the professionals to decide. The integrity of your auto glass is a huge factor for staying safe in your vehicle.
Depending on the model and make of your vehicle, the strength of your windshield is responsible for providing anywhere from 45% – 75% of the structural integrity of your entire vehicle, should you get in an accident.
If you do happen to get into a collision and your car rolls, the windshield is relied upon to handle around 60% of the weight to keep the cabin of the automobile intact.
For the continued safety of you and your passengers, it is recommended to visit a reliable and speedy auto glass service, like Valvoline Express Care in Brampton.
Factors to Determine Repair or Replacement
To make an informed decision about which route to go to fix the blemish on your windscreen, it is important to consider several factors.
Some elements to consider about the chip or crack on your windshield, are:
- Size
- Depth
- Duration
- Location
Size
The first factor to examine is the size of the chip. Auto glass repair is becoming more efficient and effective all the time, so bigger chips are now being able to be properly fixed with a repair instead of a replacement.
The general rule of thumb is that if a chip is bigger than a toonie, a replacement will likely be required. Cracks longer than 7 or 8 cm will also probably demand a full replacement.
Superficial chips or small cracks that don’t penetrate to the inside of the glass can often be fully repaired without having to replace the glass.
Depth
Most windshields are made up of 2 or 3 layers. Some windscreens are double-paned glass, while others have three layers. Two layers of glass sandwiching a layer of plastic.
In either scenario, if the crack penetrates the inside layer of glass, it is time for a replacement.
Location
The location of the chip or crack is also critical for deciding on repair or replacement.
If a crack extends to the edge of the auto glass, then that windshield’s days are finished. There is too much risk to the structural integrity of your vehicle for cracks that hit the edge of the window.
If the crack or chip is directly in the driver’s line of vision, then a replacement is recommended. Most repairs end up leaving a little bit of distortion which can impair a driver’s ability to clearly see everything on the road in front of them.
Also, some cracks may interfere with one of the car’s automatic systems or sensors. If this is the case, then it is replacement time.
Duration
The longer a chip or crack has existed in your windshield, the more likely a replacement will be needed instead of a repair.
It is best to take care any windshield issues promptly, before the situation gets out of hand.
Auto Glass Repair and Replacement for your Safety
The number one concern for any nick, break, or slinter in in your windshield is safety. Safety for you and your passengers, and also for other drivers and pedestrians in the area.
The Uni Glass windshield replacement experts and repair experts at Valvoline Express Care have been fixing windshield issues in Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon, and Vaughan for decades.
Stop in anytime for damage assessment.