Your windshield plays a major role in ensuring your safety on the road. When it is obstructed, either by debris or damage, it can significantly impact how safe you feel while driving. Unfortunately, windshields are vulnerable to damage from various sources. Understanding the most common causes of windshield damage can help you take preventive measures and address issues before they become costly repairs.
If you want to learn more about how your windshield may be damaged while you’re driving, keep reading.
The Most Common Windshield Damage
Windshield damage can take various forms, each with its own risks and repair requirements:
- Chips: Small, often circular areas where a piece of glass has been removed. They usually occur from rock impacts and can vary in size.
- Cracks: Lines that run across the windshield, which can be short or span the entire glass. Cracks can grow over time due to temperature changes and vibrations.
- Star Breaks: A series of short cracks radiating from a central point of impact, resembling a starburst pattern.
- Bullseye: A round, darkened area with a visible impact point, often surrounded by concentric circles.
- Combination Breaks: Damage that features both chips and cracks, often resulting from more severe impacts.
No matter what damage you’re experiencing, it is essential that you schedule essential repairs or replacements as soon as possible to prevent further vehicle damage.
Causes of Windshield Damage
1. Extreme Temperatures
If you live in a place that experiences extremely hot summers and cold winters, you may be susceptible to some window damage. In many cases, this damage may start as a small chip in your windshield, but with exposure to these temperatures, you may watch as the damage quickly grows and compromises your vehicle’s safety.
2. Roadside Debris
One of the most common causes of windshield damage is roadside debris. It isn’t uncommon for bolts, screws, and other metal scrap to find its way onto the side of the road. As cars drive past and brush this debris up, it may hit your windshield, leaving you with cracks or chips that can compromise its safety.
3. Improper Installations
When you get a new windshield installed, it is essential that you work with a reliable team of installers. If you don’t, this may leave you susceptible to premature windshield damage. Improper installation may lead to an uneven distribution of weight, which leaves your windshield at risk of developing cracks.
4. Manufacturers Defects
While this kind of windshield damage is rare, there is still a possibility that you may be dealing with a manufacturer defect that is causing damage. If there is a noticeable distortion to your windshield, it leaks, rattles, or whistles, this may be a sign your windshield is defective. It is best to check with your manufacturer to see if there is a recall.
5. Accidents
When you’re involved in a traffic collision, it isn’t uncommon for some people to experience windshield damage. While this damage is often reserved for more major impacts, it is still a possibility. In addition to windshield damage, you may deal with passenger window damage if your vehicle is struck from the side.
Should You Repair or Replace Your Windshield?
When you’re experiencing this windshield damage, you may wonder whether repairing or replacing it is your best option. Whether repairing or replacing your windshield is best depends on the damage you’re experiencing. Individuals who are dealing with minor damage, like small chips or cracks less than a few inches in length, can be repaired.
However, if the crack stretches from the edge of the windshield or is more than three inches long, this may necessitate a windshield replacement. Additionally, deep chips in your windshield will also require replacement, as they cannot be properly repaired. If you aren’t sure whether you need a repair or replacement, it is best to reach out to a trusted auto glass professional.
They can examine the damage you’re experiencing and make necessary suggestions to ensure your vehicle remains road-safe. Your auto glass professional may also be aware of windshield recalls that you haven’t heard about, which may help you save money on repairs or replacements down the line.
Helping Drivers Remedy Windshield Damage Across Idaho and Utah
No matter what kind of windshield damage you’re experiencing, it is essential that you work with an expert auto glass repair team. With the support of an expert team, you can trust that all the essential repairs will be made, and they’re making the best recommendations to ensure your vehicle is always safe.
If you’re looking for an auto glass repair team in the Northern Utah, Idaho Falls, or Boise area, turn to our team at Valley Glass for support. For decades, we’ve provided the most reliable auto glass repair and replacement service to drivers, making us the best fit for your vehicle as well. When you work with us, you can trust that no damage is too substantial for us to address.
When you’re ready to schedule windshield repairs or replacements, don’t hesitate to contact our team.
