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When to Repair or Replace your Windshield Damage?

Posted by Mariios on June 14, 2024

Has your windshield suffered damage by debris, ice, hail, rocks, and dead animals? Can you determine if you need repair or replacement service? This happens because there is a very thin line between the signs of replacement and repair. However, car owners find it difficult to know whether to repair or replace your windshield damage. But don’t worry because there are ways to know which to choose.

The Reasons Why You Require Windshield Replacement

  • The Damage Hinders the Driver’s Visibility
  • The Cracks are Becoming Bigger Everyday
  • The Inner Windshield Layer is Damaged
  • The Windshield Lamination is Impaired
  • Damage Spreading to the Sides

Clues that Your Windshield Needs Only Repair

  • Chips and Cracks Size About 6 Inches
  • Damage Doesn’t Affect the Driver’s View
  • Cracks and Chips Remain Where They are

When to Repair and When to Replace your Windshield: Know the Difference

Car owners often might not see the difference between the signs of windshield repair and replacement. They could hire replacement services when repairs are required and vice versa. So, understanding these differences between windshield replacement and repair signs is vital.

Vehicle owners should learn about the reasons and signs that they require windshield replacement. You must understand that there are some minor differences between replacement and repair. The windshield experts will look for the following signs to determine if replacement is required.

The Damage Hinders the Driver’s Visibility

The first sign car owners should look for is whether the damage obstructs the driver’s visibility. Sometimes, the cracks and scratches are minor, such as a hairline crack in windshield, but you can drive the car safely for several days. However, if the damage to the windshield leads to bigger cracks, this will disturb the driver’s view and cause accidents. Determine whether auto glass repair or replacement is required.

The Cracks are Becoming Bigger Everyday

The second thing to note is the size of the chip and crack. If the size remains unchanged even after a few days, you can wait. However, if you notice that the crack and chip size are increasing daily, it will spread quickly. So, be on the lookout for this sign.

The Inner Windshield Layer is Damaged

The third windshield replacement sign to consider is checking if the damage has reached which layer. Your car’s windshield has three layers for damage protection. The outer layer comprises the strongest polyvinyl butyral (PVB), and the two bottom layers are glass. So, if the crack has reached the bottom layer, windshield replacement should be your choice.

The Windshield Lamination is Impaired

You should learn that windshield lamination is an extra protection layer between the two bottom glass layers. Its main purpose is to hold the glass together if it is damaged. If the windshield appears cloudy or foggy, the lamination layer is damaged.

Damage Spreading to the Sides

The last sign that could determine that the windshield requires replacement rather than repair is the crack has increased in size. If the cracks spread to the sides, the glass might become prone to damage, as the windshield might get loose from the edges. Also, it might not withstand the impact of an accident.

Clues that Your Windshield Needs Only Repair

Vehicle owners should also learn about the clues that determine why repairs are required rather than windshield replacement. If you notice these signs appearing, you shouldn’t panic because they will need repairs. However, remember to fix them on time to avoid windshield replacement.

Chips and Cracks Size About 6 Inches

You should keep an eye on the size of the crack or chip. If the size is about 6 inches wide, you can consider hiring windshield repair services. These cracks and chips can be resin-filled to restore the windshield's integrity.

Damage Doesn’t Affect the Driver’s View

Car owners should ensure the damage doesn’t affect the driver’s view. Sometimes, the cracks and chips are on the passenger’s side windshield. You can take your car for windshield repair service if the damage is on the other side of the windshield.

Cracks and Chips Remain Where They are

The last sign to note is that the chips and cracks remain where they are. This means the damage has not spread to the sides, and the size is still 6 inches. If the size and diameter remain the same, you will only require repairing.

Conclusion

To conclude the discussion, certain signs determine when to repair or replace your windshield damage. These replacement signs include:

  • A hindrance to the driver’s visibility
  • Cracks becoming larger
  • Inner windshield and lamination damage
  • Increasing crack diameter

However, if you notice a crack 6 inches in size and damage on the passenger side, and the size doesn’t spread, you can hire repair services from Blue Diamond Auto Glass.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is it best to repair or replace a windshield?

The decision of when to repair or replace your windshield damage depends on various factors like the extent of damage, the location, and size.

Q2. How do you know if a windshield crack can be repaired?

Car owners should know that a windshield crack can be repaired if it's smaller than 6 inches, not in the driver's line of sight, and hasn't spread to the edges or penetrated deeply.

Q3. When to worry about a cracked windshield?

You should worry about a damaged windshield when the cracks exceed 6 inches and reach the edges.

June 14, 2024
Written by
Blue Diamond Auto Glass
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