I wanted to share this information since many of the people coming to our auto glass shop in Mississauga commented that it was not clear to them what to consider when they see a crack in the glass of the car.
In the past, if you spotted a crack on your windshield it meant guaranteed replacement, which was of course very expensive. However, technology has improved considerably since then, and now the majority of cracks can be repaired within about thirty minutes, that means most of the time there is no need for costly replacements. However, in some cases you may need to opt for complete replacement, let’s take a little look at the various things that you need to consider.
As you can probably guess, whether you have a windshield repaired or replaced depends on how severe the damage is. If it is completely shattered then you have absolutely no chance of having it repaired and replacement is the only option. Generally speaking, the majority of windshield repair shops will only repair cracks and chips up to the size of a quarter or three inches long. Anything bigger than that and it could be said that the structure of the windshield has been compromised and it might be better to have them replaced. However, in some of the bigger outfits you may find that the agent will be able to repair cracks up to 12 inches long, although of course they will need to inspect the damage to see how bad it is.
It is worth remembering that repairing a cracked or chipped windshield is never recommended if the crack is in the vision of the driver. This is because the windshield will stop being as clear, and that could of course impair the visibility. Your repair agent should advise you on this, but it is also wise to make your own decisions here, after all, you are going to be the one driving the vehicle.
In addition to this, if the chip or crack appears near the outside of the windshield then it is most likely going to be replaced. The reason for this type of damage can spread quickly, and the whole structural integrity would have been compromised. This of course is going to make cracks more likely to appear in the future, and thus companies are less likely to repair this, even at your insistence.
If you do need to replace your windshield then it pays to shop around. This is because some companies use fairly lacklustre windshields which are not going to be as good as the one that has broken. It would pay to spend a little bit more and get a top quality windshield, the vision will be much better and it will last for a longer period of time.
Remember, no matter how severe the damage or the location of the damage, it is important to have the windshield inspected by an expert as soon as possible. They will be able to make a decision on the best way to proceed. Remember, if you catch the crack early, you will find that it is much more likely that you will need a cheaper repair as opposed to a more expensive replacement. Remember, only use reputable windshield replacement companies!
By Tony Wizard from Auto Glass Wizard in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.