When your windshield has become damaged, there are cases where that damage could put your life at risk. By not having a windshield to prevent the roof from caving in, the passengers risk being crushed during an accident. You will need to know when a simple auto glass repair is possible and when you must replace your windshield entirely. 

Some Windshield Cracks Can Be Repaired

Fortunately, if you simply have a small chip, this can usually be repaired rather than replacing the entire windshield. But just because the damage is considered minor, doesn't mean you can procrastinate on having it repaired. The small amount of damage can easily turn into a crack that may force you to replace your windshield. Usually, if the crack is about the size of a dollar bill or smaller, you can repair rather than replace. The repair will involve a technician injecting a resin into the hole to seal it.

Size and Location Matters

Whether or not you will need to replace the windshield depends on several factors, such as where the crack is located, the type of crack, and how large it is. Larger cracks that couldn't be easily repaired are now fixable thanks to new technologies. Sometimes cracks as large as 18 inches can be fixed without a full replacement glass!

However, the location of the crack is important. If the windshield is just repaired, there might still be some discoloration that can make it more difficult to see through the windshield. Even if one driver is able to see fine out of the window, a driver with a different height might not be able to see. For that reason, visibility is a major factor influencing whether the windshield should be replaced.

If the crack is near the edge of the windshield, it is especially likely that it might need to be replaced. This is because the edge of the windshield is the weakest part of the window, and the windshield can develop problems over time if not repaired.

Certain Types of Cracks are Less Problematic

Cracks come in many forms. The easiest cracks to repair are:

• A bullseye crack

• A radial crack

• A ding

• A pit

These cracks are usually isolated to a smaller area, making them easier to solve.

Regardless of whether or not the windshield is repaired or replaced, what is most important is your safety. What many motorists do not realize is that the windshield is simply one of the most important parts of the vehicle for keeping the motorist and passengers safe!