Many of us have been there: cruising down the road when suddenly, bam! A rock or something else hits our windshield, and just like that, there’s a crack. If you’ve ever driven a car, SUV, or truck on the highway, chances are you’ve had a similar scare. It happens a lot, but it’s crucial not to ignore a cracked windshield. As soon as you spot a crack, it’s important to get your vehicle to an auto glass shop or a mobile service for repairs. A cracked windshield can cause accidents, so it’s best not to take any chances and repair it.
Windshield Repair vs Windshield Replacement
Once you’ve looked at the damage on your windshield, your mind jumps to one question: can it be fixed? Getting a cracked windshield repair might save you money compared to getting a whole new one. During the inspection, the technician will figure out if the chips or cracks in your windshield can be fixed. They’ll give it a close look and let you know what’s what. Most trustworthy auto glass services follow a strict “fix it first” rule.
So, if your windshield’s taken a hit, your first move should be reaching out to an auto glass repair company to figure out the best plan.
Whether or Not Windshield Cracks Can Be Repaired
An Service Pros Auto Glass technician takes a close look at the damage to your car’s glass. They’ll think about a few things to figure out if the windshield can be fixed up. While some chips and cracks can be patched, others are too far gone. If it’s beyond repair, they might suggest getting a new piece of glass.
Key Assessment Factors Include
Curious if your cracked windshield can be fixed? Let’s explore how auto glass experts assess the damage. They’ll consider factors like the size and location of the crack to determine if a repair is possible. If the damage is too severe, they may recommend replacing the glass for better safety.
Crack Size and Depth
The size and depth of the crack matter when deciding what to do next. The technician will take a good look to see how big and how deep the crack is. Usually, they can fix a chip that’s smaller than one inch across. If a crack is less than three inches long, they can often repair that too. But if it’s bigger than a dollar bill, it’s usually too much to fix. So, the size and depth of the cracked windshield are always top considerations for a repair.
Location
The technician will also think about where the cracks are. This matters a lot. If there’s a crack right where the driver looks, it’s tough to fix. Even if it’s repaired, the glass might still look weird, making it hard to see. How tall the driver is can make a difference too. The technician will consider all these things to decide if a repair is doable or not.
Type of Crack
Cracks on windshields can be found in many sizes and shapes. Each type of crack has been given different names. There are many different types of cracks, including Bulls Eyes, Star Breaks, Partial Bulls Eyes, Crack Chips, etc. Repairs are possible if the chip or crack is small enough that it can be covered by a quarter. A qualified auto glass technician can fix it properly.
It can be very difficult to repair damage if there is more than one crack on the auto glass. You should first let the technician identify the type of crack that you have to determine the best solution for the problem.
Cracks That Cannot Be Usually Repaired
Some cracks are very difficult to repair. You’ll have to replace your broken windshield. Your safety is what matters most.
- Cracks in the windshield on both sides
- Long Cracks
- Cracks of various types
- Cracks in the critical viewing area of the driver
- Cracks that are stained or polluted
A windshield repair’s purpose is to restore structural strength to the vehicle frame. The repair will not be effective if it cannot restore structural strength to the vehicle frame. You will remain vulnerable to road hazards. Hire a professional and qualified auto glass technician for the best solution.
Tips for Vehicle Owners
As soon as you spot any damage, it’s crucial to take action right away. Small chips and cracks can often be fixed up. Waiting to fix them could make things worse and cause the damage to spread across your windshield. If you keep driving with a chip, it could turn into a crack because of the pressure on the glass. And even small cracks might get bigger, making repairs trickier.
Don’t put off dealing with damage to your front or rear windshield. Call an auto glass repair service ASAP to get it checked out.
Talk to a Windshield Repair Technician
Service Pros Auto Glass provides fast and expert windshield repair services. Our auto glass technicians are well-trained and skilled in fixing various issues like chips, cracks, and dents. We specialize in both repairing and replacing auto glass. You can talk to our repair experts for free to see if your windshield crack can be fixed.
Our services cover Jacksonville and nearby areas.