What Kind of Windshield Cracks Can Be Repaired?
It has happened to most of us: While we are driving on the road and, all of a sudden, a piece of debris or stone comes flying onto the windshield. The next moment what you see is a cracked windshield.
If you drive your car, SUV or truck on highways, you might have gone through a similar experience. While it is a common scenario which most drivers face, what is important is to avoid driving with a broken windshield. As soon as you spot one or more small cracks in your front or rear windshield, you should take your vehicle to an auto glass repair shop or seek help from a mobile windshield repair service. It is extremely dangerous to continue driving with a cracked windshield, as it often leads to obstructed vision and crashes or collisions as result.
Repair vs Replacement
Once you have inspected the damage to your windshield, the first thought that comes to your mind is whether it can be repaired or whether you need to replace the cracked or chipped windshield with a new one.
Getting a windshield repair is cost-effective whereas it is expensive to install a brand new windshield altogether. Whether or not the chips or cracks in your windshield can be repaired is the subject of the inspection. After assessing the crack, the auto glass technician will tell you exactly what needs to be done. All reputed auto glass services strictly follow a repair-first policy. So, the first thing you should do after you have a cracked windshield gets in touch with an auto glass repair and replacement company to find out the most ideal solution to your problem.
If you are in Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, or Wilsonville, you should head straight to SIR Auto Glass and schedule the inspection of your broken windshield to get the problem fixed in a swift manner.
Whether or Not Cracks Can Be Repaired
A qualified auto glass technician conducts an inspection and evaluates the severity of damage to auto glass. To determine whether the broken windshield can be repaired, the professional considers multiple factors. While it is possible to repair some chips and cracks, many cracks are irreparable. In the latter case, the technician will recommend the installation of a new windshield.
Key assessment factors include:
Crack Size and Depth:
When it comes to determining the solution, it is the size and the depth of the crack which matters the most. So, the technician will first check out how small or big the crack is.
Usually, auto glass technicians can repair a chip, which has a diameter of around one inch or less. Likewise, a crack is also repairable, if it is no more than three inches long. If the size of the crack is more than that of a dollar bill, you should rule out the repair option. This is exactly why size and depth will always play a crucial role in determining whether or not a repair is a solution.
Location:
The technician will take the location of the crack into account as well. In fact, this is a very important factor. If the crack lies directly along the driver’s line of sight, it would be difficult to repair it. Even after the repair, the discoloration or unevenness will reduce the driver’s visibility through the auto glass. Here, the height of the driver will also make some difference.
The auto glass technician will consider everything that matters and then decide whether the crack is repairable or not.
Type of Crack:
Windshield cracks come in all shapes and sizes. In fact, various names have been given to refer to each type of crack. Different types of cracks include Bulls Eye, Star Break, Partial Bulls Eye, Crack Chip, etc. If the chip or the crack is small enough to be covered with a quarter, it can be repaired. An experienced auto glass technician will be able to fix it correctly.
In case there are more than one crack in the auto glass, it can be difficult to repair the damage. So, you should let the technician first identify what type of crack you have so as to find the best solution to the problem.
Read more about:
Types of Windshield and Rear Auto Glass Damage
Cracks that Cannot Be Usually Repaired
There are some cracks, which are extremely hard to repair. This means you’ll need to replace the broken windshield with a new windshield. At the end of the day, it is your safety that is the topmost concern.
- Deep cracks on both sides of the windshield
- Very long cracks
- Multiple cracks of different types
- Cracks located in the driver’s critical viewing area
- Polluted or stained cracks
The purpose of a windshield repair is to restore the structural strength of the vehicle frame. If a repair can’t do this, the entire purpose will be defeated and you will remain exposed to road hazards. Therefore, always ensure you hire a qualified and well-trained auto glass technician to have the inspection done in a proper and professional manner and get the most ideal solution.
Tips for Vehicle Owners
While small chips and cracks are repairable, you need to take immediate action after you have spotted the damage. Delaying the repair can worsen and spread the damage to other areas of the windshield.
If you continue to drive with a chip, there are chances that cracks might radiate from it due to pressure on the auto glass. Often, small cracks can also increase in length, making repairs hard. As a smart vehicle operator or owner, you should never ignore or delay any kind of damage to your front windshield or back windshield. In fact, you should give a car window glass repair service a phone call as quickly as you can and get an inspection done fast.
Talk to a Windshield Repair Technician
SIR Auto Glass is your ideal source to get all kinds of windshield repairs in a professional and swift manner. Our auto glass technicians are highly qualified, skilled, and trained in the repair of a variety of chips, cracks, dents, etc. We specialize in both auto glass repair as well as replacement. If you want to find out whether the crack in your windshield can be repaired or not, you should feel free to have a free consultation with one of our auto glass repair specialists. Our services are available throughout the Portland Metro Area and its nearby places.
You can also contact our office via a phone call given on our website.
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It was really helpful to know that the crack can be repaired if it is around three inches in length or less. I just I have seen this article before and got it repaired then. The crack on the passenger’s side of the windshield is around five inches long. That means the glass has to be replaced, right?
Thank you for pointing out that immediate action is needed after you see the damage. My husband just got home from work and found a chip in his windshield. I’ll be sure to share this with him and see about getting some repairs done quickly.
It was informative when you said cracks that lie directly along the driver’s line of sight are difficult to repair. I heard that cracks are repaired via resin, and there will still be discoloration afterward. I’m glad the crack is at the top area of the passenger side window.