Windshield Repair Vs. Replacement

As a car owner you are likely to experience a rock chip or crack in your windshield at some point in the life of your vehicle. Whether you are simply driving down the road and a rock flips up and hits your windshield or you are involved in a major car accident, knowing some basic information about windshield repair and replacement will save you time and money. Here is some helpful information to determine if you can repair your windshield or if you need to opt for a total windshield replacement.
New Technology
It is fortunate that car owners today are able to take advantage of new technology that allows a windshield to simply be repaired instead of replaced. You may be familiar with the special tools that are used to repair a rock chip. This small tool simply injects resin into the windshield which helps seal the chip and prevent further cracking. Thanks to these new tools and modern technology, windshields that once were thrown out are now able to be repaired at a fraction of the replacement cost.
Timeliness of Repair
As with most car maintenance and repair jobs, it is best to take care of the situation as quickly as possible in order to prevent further damage. This is especially true when it comes to rock chips and cracks. If you want to save money and avoid total windshield replacement, call around to local auto glass companies and dealers to find out the best rate when it comes time to have repair work done on your windshield. It is best to repair the rock chip or crack as soon as possible in order to prevent dirt from entering the crack. Once dirt and debris enter the crack it can weaken the effectiveness of the repair.
Factors That Necessitate Replacement
You are probably wondering how you can tell if your windshield simply needs to be repaired or if you need it replaced. Here are four factors that may necessitate windshield replacement:

• Rock chip larger in size than a quarter
• Crack longer than three inches long
• Major impacts from large objects or cracks due to vehicle accident
• Location of crack or rock chip (discussed in detail below)

The first three factors are self-explanatory as to why you might need to replace your windshield instead of a simple repair. Now let’s discuss why the location of the crack or rock chip may indicate replacement instead of repair. First, cracks on the edges of the windshield tend to spread quickly and may compromise the integrity of the windshield. However, if the crack is caught early on you may be able to save your windshield from being replaced. Second, if the rock chip or crack is in the driver’s line of vision, many shops won’t repair the windshield since the repair process leaves a minor distortion in the glass.
It is also important to note that some repair shops can repair a crack as long as 12 inches using a special technique; therefore, be sure to check around and see if the cost to repair your windshield makes more sense than a total windshield replacement.