When Should I Replace a Chipped/Cracked Windshield? 

Have you heard that ominous “tick” sound while driving one day, only to notice a lovely chip or crack in your windshield a few days later? It’s incredibly frustrating to see windshield damage when you sit behind the wheel because it feels like just one more thing on your already full to-do list. Can it be put off? Is it dangerous to keep driving with windshield damage? Read on to learn when to replace a windshield, more about auto glass replacement, and when you can’t put it off any longer. 

Should I Repair or Replace a Windshield? 

No matter how small the chip or crack in your windshield is now, it inevitably will grow. Large temperature fluctuations, such as very hot in the sun during the summer months in Kansas City to the cooler nights, will make your windshield expand and contract. When this happens, the chips will become cracks, and the cracks will expand. If you act quickly when the chip or crack is small, you can likely find a windshield repair center near Sedalia that can fix it without needing full auto glass replacement. 

When Can I Fix Windshield Damage? 

In order to have your windshield repaired, rather than replaced, there are a few criteria you’ll need to meet. If the windshield is chipped from flying rocks and debris on the highway, and if you act quickly, it can more than likely be repaired, though the diameter needs to be an inch or less. When it comes to a windshield crack, it needs to be less than the length of a dollar bill. If the chip is too deep into your windshield, or if the crack is too close to the edge of the windshield, you’ll need auto glass replacement. 

How Does Windshield Crack Repair Work? 

First and foremost, you need to ensure that your windshield is completely dry and that you aren’t in a heat wave or cold snap. Extreme weather conditions are not conducive to auto glass repair. Once these conditions are met, the windshield replacement center will apply an adhesive to your windshield and let it set and dry for a few hours. Once that’s all set, you’re good to get back on the road as if it never happened. For just a few hours, you can save yourself the trouble of full auto glass replacement. 

When Do I Need to Replace a Windshield? 

Simply put, the conditions for when you need to replace a windshield are the opposite of when you can repair a windshield. 

• If the chip is deep into the windshield 

• If the crack is wider or longer than a dollar bill 

• When the chip is larger than an inch in diameter 

• If the crack is too close to the edge of the windshield 

• And if your windshield glass is tempered rather than laminated. 

If any of those conditions are met, you’ll need windshield replacement. 

How Does Windshield Replacement Work? 

You bring your vehicle to a local auto glass replacement center and let the expert technicians do their job. They’ll remove the old windshield, put in the new one, and apply the adhesive to secure it to the frame of your vehicle. After that, the adhesive needs to dry for a bit in the controlled environment of the shop, and that’s it! 

Auto Glass Repair in Kansas City 

Don’t let a chipped or cracked windshield go for long. Cracks will spread, reduce your vision on the road, and lead to accidents. Bring your vehicle to one of our McCarthy Collision Centers for expert auto glass repair that’s quick, efficient, and affordable. Call us today to find your nearest location and to schedule service.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »