Windscreen Repair Advice: Essential Rules Every Driver Should Know
Windscreen repair is a fundamental part of a car owner’s responsibility. A cracked or damaged windscreen is a traffic hazard, and it can also be expensive to replace! It’s important that you know what to do when your windscreen gets cracked. We’ve compiled this guide to help you understand the process and prepare for any eventualities:
Know when is the right time
If you notice any cracks or chips in your windshield, it’s important that you deal with this as soon as possible. While a minor chip may not seem like a huge issue, these can quickly grow and become more dangerous. If left unchecked, they could even crack into a spider web pattern across your windscreen which makes driving unsafe and can result in serious injury if the glass breaks.
When to get it fixed?
The first thing to consider is whether or not your windshield has been damaged at all. If there’s simply a small scratch on one of the corners or edges of your windscreen then you may be able to clear this off yourself using toothpaste (yes – toothpaste!). However, if there are any cracks or chips that are larger than 50mm(2 inches) then we recommend getting them repaired by qualified professionals immediately.
Check what it will cost
When you are getting a quote for windscreen replacement costs, there are some things to consider. The first is your location. This can have a huge impact on the cost of repair or replacement. The second thing to take into consideration is whether or not you are insured for windscreen replacement and how much your deductible is if you do not have coverage. If you do not have insurance coverage then it’s worth finding out what it will cost to get a new windshield fitted before committing to paying upfront, so that when the bill comes in later it won’t be too much of a shock!
Focus on the cracks and chips
When it comes to windscreen repairs, the most important thing is to understand the damage.
- A crack is a small break in your car’s windscreen. It can be straight or curved with obvious edges and will often appear as a line of fine hairline fractures. Smaller cracks can sometimes be repaired by applying a clear resin adhesive over them, but larger ones will need replacing altogether.
- A chip is a chunk of glass that has been broken off from your car’s windshield either by impact or everyday wear and tear (like driving through road grime). Chips are usually quite small in size – smaller than 1cm – but if left untreated they can spread across the surface of your windscreen until they form cracks.
Avoid driving fast in bad weather
If you’re driving in bad weather, then it’s important to keep your speed down. The higher your vehicle is moving, the more pressure there will be on your windscreen, and the more likely it is that it will break.
If you drive too fast on a wet road or in heavy rain, water will build up on your car’s windscreen. This can cause serious damage if not removed quickly enough as well as obscuring visibility for other drivers and pedestrians nearby.
Replace your wiper blades as soon as possible
The most important thing to remember is that windscreen repair should never be taken lightly. Letting a small crack go untreated can lead to a much more expensive issue down the line, so it’s always best to get repairs done as soon as possible. If you think your wiper blades are starting to wear out, replace them immediately – they should be replaced every 6 months at least!
Talking about car safety measures with your family
When it comes to car safety, the most important thing you can do is make sure everyone knows how to check the vehicle for damage. If you find damage in your vehicle or someone else’s, take note of what kind it is and where it’s located.
If you find any cracks or dents on your windshield, get them repaired immediately—especially if they’re just small ones. Windscreen replacement can cost hundreds of dollars depending on where you live and the type of auto glass used in your area!
Keep an eye out for stress cracks
A stress crack is a crack that results from a build-up of pressure. It can start at the bottom of your windscreen and spread upwards, or vice versa.
If you see any signs of stress cracks in your windscreen, it’s best to have them repaired immediately before they get worse, or else replace your windscreen altogether.
Cracks are usually caused by a combination of factors, including:
- Road debris or flying rocks hitting your windscreen and causing small cracks
- Sliding down a slope on dirt or gravel roads at high speeds
- Braking too hard for an upcoming corner and locking your wheels
- Driving through a puddle of water without properly clearing your windscreen
- A stone or rock being thrown up from another vehicle and hitting your screen
Make sure you know how to recognize damage and know what to do about it.
- Cracks and chips: These are the most common types of windshield damage. They’re easy to spot, but can be tricky to repair because fixing them requires removing the glass from your car and then putting it back in. A professional will have the tools needed for this procedure, but if you try it yourself, make sure you know how to replace your windshield before doing so.
- Stress cracks: They’re not nearly as obvious as a chip or crack would be—instead they appear in a spiderweb-like pattern on your windshield’s surface. If they get worse over time or if they’re at least one inch long when they start out, then stress cracks need to be fixed right away by an expert who can replace your entire windshield (rather than just repair the damaged area).
- Dents: Small dents don’t usually need any major repairs—a trained technician will simply smooth out the edges of larger dents with a pneumatic hammer so that they blend into the rest of your car’s bodywork seamlessly.
If you have a small dent, then all you need to do is use some rubbing compound and elbow grease to sand it out. If the damage is more severe, consider getting a professional opinion before proceeding with repairs.
Remember, your windshield is the most important part of your vehicle. It’s not just a piece of glass — it protects you from debris and rocks on the road, as well as rain and snow during storms. So if you want to keep yourself and your passengers safe, make sure that every time you see signs of damage or wear-and-tear on this critical component of your car, get it repaired immediately before any serious problems occur!
I like that you mentioned how it is important that you deal with it as soon as possible if you notice any cracks or chips in your windshield. I was wiping our car earlier and I noticed that the windshield actually got a crack on it now. I don’t know how it happened but we need to have this addressed as soon as possible, so we should definitely ask a windscreen repair shop to take care of it.