Reasons To Repair Or Replace Chipped Windshields
When a small stone or other type of debris hits your car windshield, you may notice a tiny crack in the glass soon after. Although it may not seem like a big problem at the time, even the smallest chips can lead to issues later down the road.
If pressure, such as from wind when your driving, is applied to the chip, a crack can begin to form. Even though it begins as a seemingly insignificant crack, it can quickly grow into a serious vision impairment across your windshield. Not only is it dangerous to drive with a vision obstruction, it may be illegal in some cities as well.
The good news is that you may be able to repair a chipped windshield and prevent the crack from growing larger. In some cases, however, you may have to end up with a total windshield replacement. In order to save money and possibly your windshield glass, it's important to have it looked at by your automotive repairman as soon as possible.
Following are some additional reasons for repairing or replacing your chipped windshield:
Safety Issues
While a chipped windshield won't shatter into pieces, drivers with cracked windshields may be more at risk of an automobile accident. While one small chip won't obstruct your view, a resulting crack across the the grass may.
Also, if driving with chipped or cracked windshields is against the law in your city, you may end up with a costly traffic ticket if you get pulled over. Repairing or replacing the glass might even be cheaper than the cost of the ticket.
Degrades a Vehicle's Worth
If you plan on selling your vehicle in the near future, it's important to repair any windshield chips or replace cracked glass before listing it for sale. You may not be able to get the full asking price if the windshield is damaged, and it will most likely cost less to fix the issue.
Also, if the chip turns into a large crack, it can actually effect the vehicle's overall integrity. Since the windshield supports the roof and other structures, it may become a danger if you are in an accident. If the windshield has a substantial crack, it can weaken the car or trucks, making it more susceptible to other issues.
In some cases, the airbags may not inflate as they should if the the roof is not supported properly due to a damaged windshield.
