Without Repair, Small Windshield Problems Grow
A car owner’s choice to have an immediate repair to their windshield usually comes down to the owner’s sense of cosmetic appeal.
A car’s windshield is a vital safety feature. However, most drivers don’t think much about their windshield beyond how clean it is. But what happens if it picks up a crack, a ding, or a chip? For most, repairing one of these things is an easy decision. Since they are only an eyesore rather than a significant problem, drivers choose to leave them be.
This way of thinking can lead to problems, as a chip, ding, or tiny crack can quickly turn into a full-windshield crack, which requires a windshield replacement. In addition, left unchecked, that minute chip or crack can impair a driver’s ability to see as they drive, causing a safety issue.
Cosmetic appeal
A car owner’s choice to have an immediate repair to their windshield usually comes down to the owner’s sense of cosmetic appeal. A dinged-up windshield can easily be an eyesore, so it is an easy decision to have a windshield professional fix the damage.
Professional windshield repair
There is no sense in investing in a reliable, good-looking car and then allowing windshield damage to build up over time, as it will ruin the car’s appearance. Rather than waiting for the windshield damage to worsen over time, have a simple repair made by a glass professional. A quick fix is a smart move and the least expensive option.
Car value
A car’s value may be another consideration when contemplating how and when to make those necessary repairs. For example, allowing minor windshield damage to accumulate into something bigger and possibly more expensive doesn’t make sense since damage to the glass will lower the vehicle’s value. Therefore, if an owner allows damage to grow, the repair bill will increase, and the car’s value will lower. As a result, a buyer will pay less for a vehicle with windshield damage upon resale.
Safety and prevention of worsening damage
The number one reason to repair windshield damage quickly is safety. A chip or crack can interrupt the driver’s line of sight and may cause an accident. Even if the initial chip isn’t in the driver’s line of sight, leaving it unrepaired allows it to spread into a larger crack. Unrepaired windshield damage creates a safety hazard, as the glass is weakened. In the event of an accident, the glass may shatter. Because of that, a prompt response is critical.
Chips and small cracks in a windshield tend to stretch and elongate as time and weather take hold. Although they may seem stable initially, weather changes can play havoc on a windshield. If the vehicle owner has a chip repaired promptly, there won’t be an opportunity for the weather to cause further damage.
Ultimately, there is no way to predict how a simple chip or crack will change. Therefore, repairing a small chip or crack is the most cost-effective to prevent them from expanding and require replacing the glass. That bill is easy to avoid with prompt and minor maintenance.
Contact a reliable auto glass specialist with questions about windshield and auto glass repair and replacement.
Lucid Auto Glass provides mobile windshield repair and replacement in Tacoma, Olympia, Renton, Lakewood, and surrounding areas. Our auto glass services include windshield replacement, rock chip repair, crack repair, and leak repair as well as door window regulator and door window motor repair and replacement. Family owned and operated. Military discounts available.
