Small cracks, dents, and chips in your car’s windshield don’t seem like a big deal at first. However, over time, these tiny fractures can grow into a big problem.
Bring your damaged auto glass to Horizon Auto Glass and Tint as soon as you notice signs of wear-and-tear. If left untreated for too long, small damages can quickly get out of hand. Instead of a quick and cost-effective repair job, you might be hit in the pocket for a full windshield replacement.
But when is it too late? How can you tell if an auto glass chip repair will solve your windshield problems? Here are some things to look for to help you determine if a simple repair job will help or if you need a full windshield replacement.
Length and Depth
Your windshield confronts thousands of potential dangers every time you turn the key. From low-hanging tree branches in the parking lot to small domesticated animals who use your rooftop to get a better view of the world, there are unlimited sources of potential damage to your auto glass. The actual amount of damage they cause depends on a few factors, including:
• The weight of the object.
• The speed of the vehicle and object at the time of impact.
• The materials and construction of the object.
When a blunt object with lots of mass hits your windshield, it is more likely to leave a deep impression than a lighter or less dense one. Take a close look at the dent or crack. If it is more than 3 inches long or more than 3/8 of an inch deep, the chances are that you’ll need to replace the entire glass. If not, an auto glass chip repair should be enough.
Obscured Vision
Even light surface scratches can make an auto glass replacement necessary. For example, harsh weather can kick up high winds that send debris flying against your vulnerable glass. The collection of airborne rocks, twigs, and trash can cause havoc on your exposed windshield. Too many scratches in one place can mar the glass to the point that it’s impossible to see clearly through that point.
In these cases, an auto glass chip repair probably won’t work. Filling in multiple fractures in one area can leave an uneven surface that presents its own set of potential problems. At Horizon Auto Glass and Tint, we recommend that customers replace windshields that make it difficult for them to navigate safely.
Changing Dimensions
You may have noticed that small chip on your windshield but didn’t have the time to attend to it right away. After a while, you look only to be startled by how much more significant that crack looks than it did before. How did that almost invisible imperfection become something that threatens to cave in your entire windshield?
Even without further impact, a small crack can easily become something else. The force of the wind driving particles of dirt and debris into the crack widens it slowly. Minute flakes of glass are shaved off by every mile you drive until the chip becomes a large crack.
At Horizon Auto Glass and Tint, we recommend that you bring your car in for an auto glass chip repair as soon as you see it. Our technicians value your time and work hard to get you out and on your way fast. With over 20 years of experience, we have perfected the art of auto glass repair. You won’t waste any time when you bring your car to us.
When It’s Obvious
Of course, there are times when it’s quite clear that you’ll need a full windshield replacement, such as:
• After a catastrophic impact accident or rollover.
• In the presence of multiple fractures regardless of depth or positioning.
• When the cracking compromises the structural integrity of your vehicle.
Bring your vehicle to Horizon Auto Glass and Tint. We’ll take a look at your dings, dips, cracks, and holes and let you know if they merit a replacement or if you can save time, money, and frustration with an auto glass chip repair.