When Do I Need to Replace My Windshield?
It’s happened to just about all of us, you’re driving down the road when out of nowhere some debris gets kicked up and suddenly there’s a chip or crack in your windshield. Your windshield is an important part of the car so any damage needs to be checked and taken seriously.
Depending on the severity of the damage some windshields just need a repair job to get back into top shape, but others might need a full replacement.
Repairing vs Replacing
When it comes to deciding whether your windshield can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced there are three main things to look at; depth, location, and size. Chips are, in general, a bit easier to replace than cracks, but both can still cause a lot of problems. The bigger the damage, obviously the more likely a replacement is going to be needed.
Size and Depth
For chips, or “pits,” in the windshield depth is one of the less noticeable factors when it comes to knowing if the damage can be repaired or not. Your windshield is made up of three different layers, an inner and outer layer of glass with a plastic insulate between them. If the damage has reached that inner layer of glass it’s likely beyond repair. If a crack is longer than 14 inches or if it connects with more than one edge it’s also likely beyond repair.
Location
Being able to see out of the windshield is important, especially for the driver, which means any damage on the driver’s side becomes a bit harder to replace. During the repair process, the technician should inspect how severe damage is and if repair is possible. They also must make sure there isn’t any significant distortion from the repair if it is on the driver’s side of the glass.
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If you think your windshield needs to be replaced or you just want to be careful stop by our dealership in Carrollton, TX or give us a call and we’d be happy to help.