Modern vehicle windshields are stronger than ever — often consisting of two curved sheets of glass with a plastic layer laminated between them for safety — but this has not made them resistant to cracks, chips or scratches. Damage to your windshield can be both an eyesore and a safety concern.
But how do you know when your windshield needs a simple repair and when it needs to be replaced?
Windshield Repair
Cooler temperatures are on the way in Pittsburgh, and the temperamental weather usually includes its share of storms, some of which can be quite windy. Your windshield auto glass serves as a protectant from the elements, including wind, rain and hail.
While high winds itself generally cannot cause a windshield to crack, it is the debris during these winds that can pose a danger to your auto glass, including your mirrors and windshield. Rocks, tree branches and other flying debris are the primary cause of a cracked windshield during a storm, and if these issues are not immediately addressed, a small crack can soon lead to a larger one, even causing damage to the sealing and causing rain to leak inside.
In order to avoid windshield replacement, the windshield needs to be properly maintained at all times. Not only does a neglected windshield diminish the driver’s visibility, but it also increases the likelihood of developing an irreparable crack. Here are a few important tips for taking care of your vehicle’s windshield.
Choose a mild cleaning product.
You do not need to use abrasive cleaning products to clear the windshield. When selecting a glass cleaner, try to stay away from cleaners that contain ammonia. A homemade mixture of vinegar and water is actually just as effective as a commercial product. Car owners need to be especially careful when cleaning tinted windows.
You may think that a small crack in your windshield is nothing to be concerned about. However, that is a common misperception and it’s quite the opposite of the truth. A cracked windshield can have a variety of concerns, all of which lead to larger, and more expensive, issues that you’ll have to deal with. If you have a cracked windshield, here are some reasons why you should get it fixed sooner than later.
It Impairs Your Vision
It is important that you have the best field of vision while you are driving. If you do not, you are putting yourself and other drivers on the road at risk. A tiny crack may not be a problem, but the more it spreads it quickly will become an issue that needs to be resolved. However, even the slightest of cracks could be enough to get in your way, which is why you should consider a windshield replacement from Three Rivers Auto Glass before it becomes a larger problem.
When many people notice a chip in their windshield, they want to know whether windshield repair or windshield replacement is the best option. If repair is an option, then most people do not want to pay for a windshield replacement. Most companies would rather repair a windshield than throw more glass in a dumpster. The type of damage done to the windshield is one of the factors that determines whether windshield replacement or windshield repair is the best option.
Bulls-eye is one of the most common types of windshield damage. This is the appearance of straight, round single-impact damage. Because a large piece of glass is removed during this type of damage, it would appear as though it is very difficult to repair. However, this is actually one of the easiest type of damage to repair. It is important to get cone-shaped bulls-eye chip repaired as soon as possible. If this damage is not repaired, then the laminate layer that is inside of the glass can collect dirt and water.
An automobile’s windshield is perhaps the single most important component of your vehicle in terms of safety. There are several key safety components that your windshield provides, listed below: