Windshield Woes – When and Why You Need Replacement
Windshields are a safety feature. You can’t drive legally in most states if your windshield is damaged enough to impair your vision.
Your vehicle's windshield is a critical component of your safety on the road, and knowing when and why it may need professional replacement is essential for every driver. A windshield replacement becomes necessary when there is significant damage that compromises the structural integrity of the glass. This includes large cracks, deep chips, or damage that obstructs the driver's line of sight. Ignoring such issues can lead to more significant problems, as a damaged windshield is less effective in protecting you during accidents and can shatter more easily. Additionally, small chips and cracks can expand due to temperature changes or vibrations from driving, making it crucial to address them promptly to avoid a costly full replacement. A trained windshield replacement ocala fl technician will use the appropriate materials and techniques to ensure a watertight and airtight seal.
But, when is it time to replace a windshield? The location of a crack or chip will play a major role. The following situations are often the tipping point between repair and replacement.
Chips
Most of us know that you should get any chips or cracks fixed immediately to avoid the deterioration and eventual replacement of your windshield. After all, a damaged windshield can impair your visibility while driving and many states make it illegal to drive with a cracked windshield.
The good news is that if you have only small dings, the windshield can often be repaired instead of replaced. The repair process involves injecting epoxy that fills and seals the damage, allowing it to become invisible again. The injected resin is typically a clear UV-curable glass resin that replaces the original appearance and structure of the outer layer of your windshield. This is a very quick and easy process that a professional can do, though you may be able to find a do-it-yourself windshield repair kit for this purpose.
Windshields are made from two identical panes of glass pressed together, which is why they can withstand the kind of impact that can leave a chip. The two layers also help to prevent your car’s interior from becoming too hot or too cold – the kind of stress that can cause a crack in a window to gradually spread. If you let a crack in your windshield expand, the result can be that it runs across the entire length of the windshield and becomes more visible as you drive.
Luckily, most chips and cracks can be repaired with relative ease. This is because your windshield’s glass is laminated safety glass, which means that when it does break it holds together rather than shattering into granular pieces. Unlike side and rear windows, which are made of tempered glass that tends to shatter into shards when broken.
Generally speaking, any chip or crack that is not in the driver’s direct line of vision and is less than an inch in length can usually be repaired. If it meets these criteria, a technician will simply use an injector tool to seal around the area and then cycle between vacuum and pressure to infuse the adhesive and displace air. After a few minutes, the resin is dried and cured with UV light. It is then polished and cleaned, restoring its surface to a nearly invisible state.
If you notice any damage to your windshield, no matter how small, it's wise to consult a professional technician promptly. Windshields Direct LLC can assess the extent of the damage and recommend whether a repair or replacement is necessary, ensuring your safety on the road.
Cracks
Windshield cracks are one of the most common windshield problems. They often happen due to impact from debris on the road, but they also can be caused by sudden changes in temperature or vibrations that cause the glass to expand and contract.
Over time, these cracks can spread if the glass isn’t repaired or replaced quickly enough. If the cracks extend to the outer edges of the windshield, they can interfere with the structural integrity of the vehicle’s frame and can even compromise the view of automated sensors used for things like lane departure warnings.
Fortunately, most cracks can be repaired if the damage isn’t too severe. A technician can fill in the crack as long as it’s less than an inch in diameter and doesn’t have any longer cracks extending from it. Putting a piece of tape over the crack can prevent moisture from getting in and further damaging the glass.
In addition to the cracks that can be repaired, there are a few other types of damage that require immediate attention:
Rock chips: This is what we often think of when we hear the term “windshield chip.” Essentially, this is a small chunk of glass that comes out of the shield, usually from pieces of gravel or rocks hitting it. This can be fixed as long as the crack doesn’t extend too far into the plastic interlayer of the windshield.
Star cracks: These are small cracks that have legs extending from the point of impact. These can also be repaired, but if the cracks are too large or are in the driver’s line of vision, they will need to be replaced.
Stress fractures: These are cracks that extend beyond the chip or chips into the windshield’s body. While these can be repaired, they are often a sign of weakened glass and should be replaced as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
Regardless of the type of crack or chip, you should get it repaired immediately. In fact, it’s illegal in most states to drive with a cracked windshield.
Structural Damage
The windshield is a crucial safety feature for your vehicle. It protects drivers and passengers from flying debris in an accident, helps ensure airbag deployment, and increases roof strength during rollover crashes. Unfortunately, a cracked windshield can put you and your passengers at risk if not repaired in a timely manner.
Windshield glass is made from two layers of tempered glass fused together with a Poly Vinyl Butyral or PVB interlayer in between. It is a very strong material but can easily crack if exposed to extreme temperatures. This is why it’s important to avoid exposing your car to direct sunlight for long periods of time when you have a cracked windshield.
Oftentimes, what starts as a tiny star chip is no longer visible a few days later. But if left untreated, these cracks will continue to spread across the entire windshield. If your vision is obscured, this will not only put you at risk of a traffic ticket but can also be extremely dangerous for the driver and passengers.
Structural damage is another reason you should consider replacing your windshield as soon as possible. The windshield is a structural component of the vehicle’s cabin and can provide up to 45% of the overall strength during a front-end collision. If your windshield is compromised, this can lead to serious injury or death for the people inside the vehicle.
Ultimately, there are many factors that go into deciding whether to repair or replace your windshield. However, the most obvious factor is how the damage impacts your ability to drive safely. Other factors that come into play include the length, depth, and location of the crack. For example, damage that extends to the edges of your windshield is not repairable and can affect the integrity of your roof. Damage that impairs the view of sensors like rain sensors, lane departure warning systems, and automatic braking systems may also be non-repairable and require replacement. In addition, your auto manufacturer may have precise specifications for the glass used in their vehicles that must be met.
Visibility
A windshield is more than just a piece of glass that you can see through. It plays an essential role in the safety of your vehicle. It is designed to absorb the impact of a front-end collision. This reduces the force on the passengers and helps protect them from being ejected during a crash. A damaged windshield could compromise this function, leaving you and your family at risk.
The windshield is also an important structural component of your vehicle. It helps keep the roof intact in the event of a rollover accident. It also allows for the proper deployment of the airbags in the event of a crash. If the windshield is cracked or damaged, it can prevent this critical function and lead to injuries and fatalities.
Putting off windshield repair and replacement isn’t cost-effective or safe. In addition to the inconvenience and expense of having to drive with a damaged windshield, you may get ticketed for driving with an obviously broken windshield. A windshield replacement shop can come to you, saving you the hassle and expense of taking time off from work for the installation.
Even seemingly minor damage to a windshield can cause a crack or pit to spread over time, making it difficult to see through your windshield. A repair job seals the area and keeps it from spreading, so it is worth having a windshield replacement Tampa technician check your windshield for any chips or cracks that need to be repaired before they start to spread.
Windshields are a safety feature. You can’t drive legally in most states if your windshield is damaged enough to impair your vision. Your vehicle's windshield is a critical component of your safety on the road, and knowing when and why it may need professional replacement is essential for every driver. A windshield replacement becomes necessary…