When you think of cars, you don’t necessarily think about the windshield until it’s dirty or damaged. There are a lot of different types and causes of windshield damage. Let’s talk about car windshields and the damage they can sustain.
The Importance of Car Windshields
Windshields play an essential role in your vehicle’s overall function. Your car’s windshield protects you and your passengers from dust, debris, wind, and other outside elements while providing structural integrity to your car. The windshield keeps the roof of the car intact and prevents the roof from crushing occupants in the car in an accident.
Did you know that the windshield also protects individuals from being thrown out of the vehicle in the event of harsh impact with another vehicle or object? Damaged windshields can’t withstand the severity of an impact like a standard glass windshield without damage can, which is why regular maintenance of the windshield is important.
Type of Windshield Damage
There are different types of damage your windshield can sustain. Here’s what you need to know about the different types of damage and how to prevent it from happening.
Minor and Major Windshield Chips
Windshield chips can start small and evolve into a much bigger problem if left unattended. Whether a windshield chip can be repaired depends on the size of the chip, its location, and its severity. Windshields have 2 layers, and if the chip damage is only on the outer layer of the windshield’s glass, the damage is usually considered minor and can be repaired. Minor chip damage is often no more than 40mm in size.
What Are the Causes of Windshield Glass Damage?
There are different causes of windshield and glass damage that you should be aware of.
Extreme Temperature
Although windshields are sturdy, they are still glass, which means they are still fragile, especially when it comes to adapting to pressure. Car windshield contract when exposed to cold air, and expands when exposed to heat. If you leave your car in direct sunlight on a hot day, then turning on the air conditioning full blast can damage the windshield. If you don’t have a garage or similar structure, try to park in the shade. You should also allow the hot air to leave your vehicle first, then turn the air on in your car.
You will also have to pay close attention to your windshield during the winter. Again, if you don’t have a garage, extreme cold can become an issue because frigid temperatures can cause the windshield to crack. Similar to the summer, in the winter, avoid putting the heat on full sauna mode as soon as you get in the car. The sudden temperature change can put pressure on the windshield and damage it.
As you probably figured, ice and windshields aren’t friends. Incorrectly removing ice from the surface of the windshield can damage it over time. You should never use boiling water to defrost a windshield. Use the defroster in your car during the winter and allow the windshield to gradually increase its temperature to remove the ice.
If you currently have a crack in your windshield, exposure to extreme cold or heat or sudden changes in temperature can severely damage the windshield, and even cause it to shatter.
Dirt and Debris
Vehicles that are traveling in front of you or passing you on the road can lift dirt, gravel, and other debris onto your vehicle. Although little stones, pebbles, and rocks may not seem like a big deal, but, when you’re traveling at high speeds, these small items can seriously damage your vehicle and the windshield. Rocks and other debris from the road can get caught in tires and are propelled directly into your car’s windshield. At high speeds, the impact of this debris can crack or chip the windshield.
Wiper Blades
The wiper blades can also damage the windshield. As time progresses, the wiper blades become susceptible to wear and tear, which causes the hard plastic to become exposed. Even if the wiper blades perform as they should, they harden over time and can chip away at the windshield glass. Make sure you’re changing the wiper blades at least every 6 months to ensure they don’t damage the windshield.
Collisions
Whether it’s a minor collision with another vehicle, animal, or something more severe, your windshield can sustain serious damage. Any object hitting the windshield, regardless of how big or small, can weaken or damage the glass, which is why it is essential to be aware of your surroundings. If your windshield has sustained damage, don’t wait to have it repaired by a professional.
Poor Repairs or Installation
If your car windshield is damaged, you should consider opting for a professional solution. Although DIY solutions may seem appealing because you’re saving money initially, it may not seem like a difficult task. Regardless of how tempting a DIY project may be, it’s best to let a professional replace your windshield. Trying to complete this task on your own can lead to severe problems that will likely be expensive to repair, and can also be time-consuming.
A poorly installed windshield can affect your car’s structural integrity, causing it to move or fall out at any time, especially during an accident. Windshields that are repaired incorrectly are likely to create more problems in the future, which puts you at risk of incurring serious, and sometimes fatal injuries. When you’re looking for a professional windshield installer, whether it’s for a repair or an installment, make sure the technician is experienced and offers a decent warranty in case something happens to the windshield.
What Are the Different Types of Windshield Chips?
Here are some of the different types of chips that can damage or destroy your car windshield.
Star Break
Star breaks are easy to distinguish from other types of windshield chips because they are shaped like a star. This type of chip has cracks of different lengths that protrude from the point of contact. When star breaks are left unattended, they can spread and weaken the windshield, which is why you should have this damage repaired immediately.
Half-Moon
Half-moon chips have a half-circle in the middle. The good news is a windshield repair technician can fix this damage fairly easily and quickly.
Clover Leaf
Clove leaf damage is a separation of the underlayer of the windshield’s glass. Attending to this damage in time means that you can have it repaired with little to no issues.
Bull’s Eye
Bull’s eye windshield damage is the most common type of windshield chip. This type of windshield damage appears as a small, circular break with a pit at the center.
Bee’s Wing
Similar to a star break, a bee’s wing windshield chip can spread if not repaired promptly. However, these chips are fairly easy to repair.
Combination Breaks
Combination breaks are a combination of different types of windshield chips, but repairable. Be advised that you can only repair 2 chips at a time. If more chips need to be replaced at once, you will need to have your windshield replaced. If left unattended, these windshield chips will worsen over time, and you will then have no choice but to replace the entire windshield.
Irreparable Chips
Some chips can’t be repaired, which means you’ll have to replace the entire windshield. Windshield chips that exceed 40mm in diameter will require you to replace your windshield. Also, if the chip penetrates both layers of windshield glass, repairing the windshield won’t be an option. If chip damage obstructs your line of sight as the driver, it’s best to have the windshield replaced.
Windshield Cracks
Windshield cracks can be tricky at times, so you’ll have to pay attention to where the crack begins and ends. For cracks that end or begin at the edge of the windshield, repairing is not possible. You’ll have to have a new windshield installed. Regardless of how small a crack appears, it can compromise the structural integrity of your vehicle.
What Should You Do If Your Vehicle’s Windshield Is Damaged?
There are specific steps you need to take if your car’s windshield has been damaged.
Assess the Severity of the Damage
If your vehicle’s front windshield is damaged, you need to check the severity of the damage. When you’re checking for the severity of the damage, check the size and location of the windshield crack, which will determine if your windshield can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. Windshield repairs can correct minor chips that do not exceed 40mm in diameter, especially if the damage only affects the windshield’s outer layer of glass. Remember that only 2 windshield chips can repaired.
Choose the Right Course of Action
It’s always best to let a professional determine if your windshield needs to be repaired or replaced. Although DIY solutions can be quite tempting, it’s best to save yourself time and money, and let an expert repair or replace your windshield. Trained professionals in this line of work have the expertise, necessary tools, and experience to repair or replace your car’s windshield with precision and little to no errors.
Hire the Right Professional(s)
You’ll also want to make sure that you hire the right professionals. Your car’s front windshield plays an essential role in keeping you and your passengers safe from dirt, rocks, and other debris that are propelled through the air by other vehicles on the road.
When choosing a windshield repair/replacement company, check the credentials and reviews that were provided by previous customers. Consider good and bad reviews to determine if the company can meet your needs. You’ll also want to know about warranties and other perks that may be offered.
How to Avoid Windshield Damage
Sometimes windshield damage is not avoidable. Life happens to everyone, and sometimes that involves your car’s windshield! However, we’ve got different expert tips to help you reduce the risk of windshield damage.
Drive Carefully
Drive carefully, especially on gravel roads. The more you increase your car’s speed, the more likely your tires are to kick up rocks that may hit and damage your windshield.
Leave Enough Space Between You and the Vehicle In Front of You
Staying at least 2 car lengths behind the car in front of you is a part of standard road safety practices, and it also helps with protecting your windshield. Staying a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you reduces the chance of your windshield being pounded by rocks and other debris from everything the car in front of you runs over.
Avoid Following Dump Trucks and Other Utility Vehicles
If you can avoid it, don’t follow dump trucks and other utility vehicles, such as vehicles hauling trash, logs, or other debris. Anything that falls out of these vehicles could end up hitting your car or your car’s windshield.
Park in Your Garage or Shelter Your Vehicle
Park your vehicle in your garage or shelter your vehicle with a tarp or another type of shelter. Sheltering your vehicle protects the windshield from rocks, dirt, hail, sticks, and other debris when it’s not in use.
Avoid Sudden Changes in Temperature
If you live in an area where the summers are extremely hot and the winter brings below-freezing temperatures, you must pay attention to how quickly you adjust the temperature in your vehicle.
If your goal is to melt snow and ice off of your vehicle, slowly increase the defrost and never put hot water on your windshield. Increasing the temperature of the defrost system too fast or pouring hot water on your windshield can damage the windshield, causing it to shatter, and damage your vehicle.
During the summer, you’ll want to avoid parking in areas where the sun is beaming down on your car. Similar to the winter, don’t blast the air as soon as you enter your vehicle. The sudden temperature change on the inside of the vehicle can cause the windshield to chip or crack, making the windshield weaker and more susceptible to damage.
The windshield is a pivotal part of your vehicle, and when it’s damaged, it can compromise your car’s integrity. Don’t wait until the last minute to ensure the windshield is up to par. Stay alert and happy driving!