What Determines if You Need a Windshield Replacement Instead of a Repair?
ShareIf your vehicle gets windshield damage, do not underestimate the importance of addressing the issue. Sometimes minor repairs can be made, which can equate to savings when you consider the comparative cost of a windshield replacement. Drivers who choose to continue to drive with minor damages might end up causing worse damage that will require replacement.
Overall, it is not safe to continue to drive a vehicle with windshield damage. There is a risk of diminished visibility interfering with precise driving. Another risk is getting a citation because it is illegal in some jurisdictions to drive a vehicle with windshield damage.
The following points will help you understand the key factors that determine whether a windshield repair or replacement is needed.
1. Type of Damage
Repairs are reserved for minor damages such as rock chips and cracks. Not all cracks are suitable for repair. A windshield repair technician can inspect windshields and decide on the safest and most budget-friendly option to remedy the issue. Windshields that have been struck by large objects will likely be too badly damaged for repair and require replacement. If there is more than one area of minor damage, it might be best to consider a windshield replacement.
2. Size
Small cracks are best for repairs and long cracks for replacement. Some rock chips can create windshield damage that resembles a star. These damages may look minor, but the edges of the damage extend outward. Some of the extensions will be longer than others making it likely that a technician will advise against a repair and suggest a windshield replacement.
3. Depth
Some damages penetrate deeper into the glass. These damages are usually not a good fit for repair. This is because the crack filling and chip repair solutions may not be able to keep the glass intact. Technicians have the tools to determine if damages are too deep within a windshield.
4. Location
The best location for repair options would be damaged areas that are not in a driver's direct line of sight. Location is important because it can impair a driver's ability to see the roadway. Chips along the edges of windshields are also high-risk due to the possibility of the structural integrity of a windshield being compromised.
A windshield repair provider is a good resource to use to understand whether a vehicle with windshield damage will require a replacement. It is ill-advised for car owners to repair their own windshields. Most do not have the skillset to determine whether or not they should get crack repair or whether a new windshield will be needed. Many of the kits on the market can make windshield damage worse.