A windshield is crucially important for your safety when you’re in your vehicle, and even more so when you’re off-roading in the desert. This is because its obvious safety features of protecting you from natural elements like wind and rain isn’t the only thing it does. In fact, 45%-60% of your vehicle’s structural integrity actually depends on this piece of auto glass, and that’s why you should fix a cracked windshield. Otherwise, that crack is going to worsen in time due to an effect known as “spider-webbing”, and it’ll gradually spread to the corners of your windshield. When that happens, you’re at a high risk of it shattering due to due it’s structure not being to handle the pressure it’s subject to anymore.
By avoiding an auto windshield chip repair, you’re also subjecting yourself to the possibility of receiving a fine, because you would no longer be endangering just yourself after a certain point. However, there’s no need to worry about potential complications, as scheduling an appointment to fix a cracked windshield is very easy. What’s more, it can even be for $0 Out-of-Pocket cost at shops like ours!.
What Your Priority Should Be
The most important part of your response to a cracked windshield is how quickly you take action. The damage will get worse and worse over time, and this can lead to unfortunate occurrences during an off-road outing, or even when you’re just on the highway. Inspect the damage to determine whether you can get it repaired, or whether a full-scale replacement is necessary. The best way to make an informed decision is to consult with auto glass professionals, but there are a few key things to consider when you’re assessing the severity of your damaged windshield yourself:
- Does the crack interfere with your visibility of the road?
- Is there damage along the edge of the windshield that could compromise structural integrity?
- How long is the crack? If it’s longer than 3 inches, that’s a good indicator a replacement is needed.
- Are there multiple damaged areas?
- How deep is the damage? If your windshield is chipped deeper than 1/8 of an inch, a repair probably won’t solve the problem.
So, What’s Your Best Option?
We know it can be tempting to pursue an auto windshield chip repair instead of replacement because of lower costs. However, sometimes the windshield is beyond repair. If you decide to have the procedure attempted anyway, it will only temporarily mask the problem. In these cases, it’s best to get a replacement straight away, and save yourself from considerable wasted time, money, and headaches down the road.
If you respond quickly to minor windshield damage though, you can still have an auto glass expert fix a cracked windshield before this is no longer advisable. DIY windshield repairs are the least expensive, of course, but if you’re not experienced you can leave marks on the glass, or accidentally cause even more damage. If you’re not confident in yourself when using these types of tools, it’s better to leave it to specialized personnel.
When your repair is professionally done, it can last as long as your car’s lifespan, and it’s also the safest solution. Furthermore, professional repairs will make your windshield as good as the day you bought the vehicle, and no one will even notice that it was ever damaged. Contact your local auto glass professionals to see if your windshield can still be repaired by injecting resin in those trouble spots, and resume driving in safe conditions.
We’re Here To Fix Your Windshield
If you’ve had enough of pesky flying pests getting into your vehicle through your car, or the natural elements annoying you to no end because the damage is aggravating, our technicians with over 10 years of experience are but a phone call away! At ProLite, we guarantee you free mobile windshield repair & replacement services, no matter who your insurer of choice is. In fact, we’re actually preferred installers of most of them, thanks to our work ethic and efficient procedures. If you don’t have insurance, it’s still not an issue. Get in touch with us at (480) 525-6554, and we’ll discuss how to get your problem fixed on a budget!
