Many years ago, there is still no way to repair a chipped or cracked windshield which immediately requires replacement. Nowadays, you don’t need to worry when there are damages in the windshield since there are plenty of windshield repair professionals that can fix it at a much lower price than replacing it. However, there might be cases that are difficult to decide whether your car needs a windshield replacement or a simple repair will do. Here’s how to know what your vehicle needs.
How to Assess Windshield Damage?
One of the first things that can help in deciding what to do is to assess the damage on your windshield. Generally, small chips or cracks can be easily repaired by a professional but it must be done immediately to prevent it from spreading across the windshield. A quick way to know if it’s still safe to just have it repaired is to hold a dollar bill on the damaged portion. If the bill can still cover it, then it’s fine to be just repaired. However, deep or wide cracks need a windshield replacement but there are exceptional repair shops that still offer repairs even the damaged area is already wide. Also, if your vehicle has multiple windshield damages, it is best to consider replacing it. Take your vehicle to windscreen repairs Rockingham shops for a full assessment of what it really needs.
Types of Windshield Damage
Windshield damage is caused by different things – from small falling debris to pigeons bumping into your car, there are actually countless ways of it being cracked or chipped. These are the most common and the easiest types of damages to repair.
- Partial and Full Bulls-Eye – This type of crack is caused by circular objects hitting the windshield. It can be a full or just a partial circle.
- Crack Chips – These are small cracks on the windshield that are sized smaller than a quarter-dollar coin.
- Star Break – This kind of crack looks like a star. It is formed when branches of cracks spread from the centre of impact, forming a star-like shape.
- Pit – This kind of damage looks like a crater after being chipped.
When to Consider Windshield Replacement?
There are instances when repairing the windshield is not advisable even if it is only a simple crack. Cracks longer than 18 inches and chips deeper than 2 inches calls for a replacement. The damaged location is also considered when assessing the vehicle. Damages located along the driver’s line of vision and near the edge needs replacement because it compromises both the driver and the passengers’ safety. Windshield replacement usually takes an hour to be finished so there’s no need to worry about leaving your vehicle for a long time. Make sure to choose an expert repairman to be assured of high-quality service.
The windshield is one of the parts of our vehicle that keeps us safe as we drive. Keeping it at good condition helps us stay safe while on the road.