You may have been a long-time driver now and always dreaded hearing stones shattering your windshield. Know more about windshields on this site here. As the rocks bounce off, you see the chinks that are slowly forming, and when you inspect this, you have several questions in mind.

Some people may think about repairing, and others may decide to replace the entire glass. To answer this question straightforwardly, it’s best if you consult some experts and discuss your options with them. Find out how you can additionally secure your car by checking out this auto insurance resource.

Types of Damage to Know About

The damages and cracks to the windshields may vary, but not all need the same kind of treatment. Chinks caused by animal collisions or small rocks may have a different impact on handling the situation. Before you address this problem, you need to know how the windshields are put together.

The auto glass or the windshield is also called safety glass. This is because it’s not only made up of a single piece, but you’ll see at least two layers of laminated plastic between the glasses. It’s worth noting that when an object strikes the protective layers, the designs will scatter, and it usually prevents it from getting shattered into dangerous and larger pieces. Get more ideas for windshield repair and replacement in the link provided so you’ll be able to decide which one applies to your situation. The mechanic will also make repairs in no time so you can get back on the road sooner.

Chips

You should be able to see chips as blemishes caused by several impacts. The impact may have broken a portion of the layer, and typically, minor repairs are more than enough to fix the issue. But when you notice a deeper chip penetrating the plastic’s inner layers, this may be the right time for a replacement.

While the more minor chips on their way may not be specifically a cause for concern, they can be considered seeds where cracks may develop when you leave them alone. Know more about the repairs on this site: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a77/easy-windshield-repair/.

Cracks

Cracks are different from chips in such a way that they are more distinctive through lines. This indicates that the whole piece is starting to separate, which can be dangerous to the car passengers and drivers. While the cracks may often be too small for you to take notice of, they will grow and become more extensive in time.

Whether you have windshields that are frequently exposed to frigid airs or hot rays of the sun, know that some changes in temperatures may cause the glass to contract or expand. The cracks may gradually go to other areas and spread.

Before you know it, tiny particles are finding their way into the cracks, and this will make the problems worse. If you’re noticing some cracks, you should put some tape on it as a temporary solution and go to the repairmen as soon as possible.

When to Repair or Replace?

Generally, the cracks and chips can usually be repaired or replaced depending on four factors. This is the location, depth, type, or size. The results will vary based on the severity, location, amount of contamination, and age.

A qualified and expert technician will help evaluate the factors and tell you whether it’s still possible to repair or replace the windshields. Each case is different, and they should be assessed on an individual basis. Here’s an overview of the other factors involved in repairs.

Depth and Size

You can pretty much repair the chips that have a length of at least an inch, and the cracks are about three inches. Generally, some cracks that are longer than a dollar bill and have more depth need replacement. The newer technologies make it possible to repair a longer crack, and the repairs should be determined individually.

Types

There are different types of damages, and some can be easier to fix than others. Some of the short radial cracking coming from the point of impact, called star break, can be easily repaired. Others may be called the partial bull’s eye, or a half-moon caused by a circular object, but the chink is not entirely circular. Learn more about the other types in this link.

Location

Even the best fixes may leave some mistiness, discoloration, or unevenness. If the chinks are on the driver’s line of sight, it can significantly reduce visibility. The experts should consider the driver’s height because their line of sight can vary on the steering wheel. Cracks that are visible on edge may affect the integrity of the glass over time.