Windshield 101: Why You Should Always Repair or Replace a Cracked, Chipped, or Broken Car Windshield
If your car windshield is cracked or chipped due to flying debris or a minor accident, you may be tempted to put off making repairs. After all, you can still see through the windshield, and it still blocks the wind. Why spend the money? But you may not have considered some crucial details. For a start, in its now-weakened state, your windshield may not be able to protect you and your passengers from additional accidents. Plus, by delaying small repairs, you’re opening your car up to greater damage–and more costly repairs–further down the line.
Safety Considerations
You may think you can see clearly out of that chipped windshield, but what happens when a car, person, or other obstacle appears right in the broken spot? Your risk for automobile accidents is automatically higher when your windshield’s visibility is at all compromised. Additionally, a damaged windshield is weaker than a solid windshield and can shatter during a subsequent accident or if the car in front of you kicks up a rock into the glass. Protect yourself and your passengers from injury by calling in an auto glass repair specialist. This professional will be able to give you an idea of how serious the damage actually is, as well as an estimate for windshield repair costs.
Financial Considerations
Small cracks and chips in a windshield often worsen over time, due to the stress of continued car use and exposure to the elements. This means that what might start out as a small issue, inexpensive to repair, could quickly become a major and costly problem. If the damage is serious enough, windshield repair might no longer be an option; instead, you’ll have to replace the entire windshield. In addition to repair and replacement costs, keep in mind that, in some states, police officers can issue tickets for driving with a damaged windshield, because of the safety hazard. Avoid hefty fines by dealing with a broken windshield in a timely fashion.
Repair vs. Replace
Windshield repair specialists can fill small cracks and chips in the glass with an epoxy resin that is cured using ultra-violet light or sunlight. This resin should keep cracks and chips from growing over time as well as invisibly repair them. However, deep cracks and large broken areas cannot be fixed in this manner, which means that your best bet is windshield replacement. Unless you have extensive car maintenance experience, you should call a professional to complete this task. A properly installed, intact windshield is key to protecting you and your precious cargo from the elements, from flying debris, and in case of accident.
The money you’ll spend repairing minor windshield damage is nothing compared to the knowledge that you’re lengthening the life of your windshield glass, saving money in the long term, and ensuring passenger safety. The next time you’re tempted to put off making windshield repairs, think twice—and consider the real cost.
