Everyone can recognize hearing that familiar, irritating “thwack” during your commute, and seeing the instant web of cracks appear across your windshield. Even a small, seemingly harmless chip can become a major headache if you don’t quickly seek windshield crack repair from an experienced professional.
Windshield damage is widespread, with nearly 30% of all car insurance claims per year being windshield crack repair claims. In a city like Houston, known for its long commutes and aggressive driving, drivers often encounter debris on the road. A small windshield crack can not only be dangerous if not repaired, but it can also grow from a small repair to a costly windshield replacement if not addressed swiftly. At Affordable Auto Glass, we specialize in quick, affordable repairs to get you back on the road in no time.
The Importance of Timely and Efficient Window Repair
A small chip on your windshield may seem harmless and insignificant at first, but when paired with Houston’s raging heat and busy roads, it could become a disaster in a matter of minutes. Many drivers don’t understand how quickly even the smallest imperfection can spread into a large-scale, expensive repair due to even minor temperature changes, potholes, or jarring.
Ignoring a windshield crack repair can also have detrimental effects on your vehicle’s collision safety. Windshields offer essential support for a car’s structural integrity, so in events like a car accident, it can deter airbag deployment and even roof strength. This could pose a massive risk to your safety.
Finally, unresolved windshield damage can severely decrease your visibility, leading to danger and also potential legal trouble. Not having clear, unobstructed vision while driving can lead to serious accidents and danger for you and your vehicle. Because of the rapid development of cracks, oftentimes the best course of action is immediate repair and expert service from Affordable Auto Glass.
Understanding The Different Types of Windshield Damage
Windshield damage can come in numerous different forms, and understanding the specific damage your vehicle has is vital for finding the perfect fix. Being able to identify a small chip or a chip that is about to spread into a full replacement can save you money in the long run.
Chips: Unnoticeable Impact Equals Big Headache
In most cases; we identify chips by their shape. They most commonly look like a small dent or piece of glass that is missing from your windshield. Within the chip family, there are several classifications:
- Bullseye chips are small, circular dents with a clearly defined impact point. These often appear as cone-shaped.
- Star breaks have a clearly defined impact point with short, jagged cracks coming from the center.
- Half-moon chips look like bullseye chips, but are only semi-circular. Debris causes these when it hits the windshield at an angle instead of head-on.
- Combination break is a mixture of bullseye and star breaks. These are often the first phase of a chip’s damage escalating.
Any chip smaller than a quarter can usually be repaired and doesn’t constitute a full replacement.
Cracks: When a Small Chip Becomes a Big Problem
Cracks start with a short, thin line that nearly always grows rapidly. Temperature, jostling, and impacts can significantly affect the severity of this type of damage. The most common types of cracks are:
- Stress cracks can appear suddenly and sometimes mysteriously. Often caused by extreme temperature changes or glass manufacturing imperfections. These very thin cracks usually start at the edge of your windshield and can grow quickly.
- Edge cracks are the most common type of windshield crack. These are caused by debris from the road or even installation faults. By choosing an expert windshield crack repair company like Affordable Auto Glass, you can greatly reduce your chance of sustaining an edge crack.
- Floating cracks appear in the middle of a windshield and are usually from a direct and sudden impact, like large-scale debris kicked up from other cars on the road.
Luckily, you can usually repair any chip smaller than a quarter; it doesn’t constitute a full replacement.
The Art and Science of High-Quality Windshield Crack Repair
What exactly goes into repairing a cracked windshield? While many believe glass is irreparable, our team of seasoned professionals has luckily perfected the simple, once-mysterious process of windshield crack repair over time.
First, we will perform a thorough exam of the damage, identifying where the initial impact is located and how far the consequent cracks have been able to spread. Along with taking a look, we also make sure to remove all debris or glass shards from the area to make sure our analysis is completely accurate. After identifying the type and severity of the damage, we will know if a repair is possible or if your windshield needs a full-scale repair.
If repair is an option, we begin the windshield crack repair process by using a vacuum seal device, commonly called an injector or bridge, to help prep the area. By removing any moisture, air, or microscopic pieces of glass that might be trapped in the dent, this step ensures the repair is durable and efficient.
A liquid resin is then injected into the damaged area and smoothed into any fissures or crevices to ensure a smooth, seamless bond. This resin has identical reflective properties as glass, making your repair completely undetectable.
Once we completely inject the resin into the crack, we cure it with a UV light. This step hardens the material and makes sure that it becomes durable and is correctly bonded to the existing glass.
Finally, we thoroughly polish the resin to ensure that your windshield is crystal clear and perfectly smooth. At Affordable Auto Glass, all our technicians are highly skilled in the process, ensuring you receive the highest quality repair on the market.
Why DIY Isn’t Enough: The Value of Professional Glass Repair
In the world of internet tutorials and creative, money-saving hacks, it can certainly be tempting to attempt a DIY windshield crack repair at home. While these fixes might save you some time or maybe even some money, nothing will compare to a full-service, knowledgeable team like Affordable Auto Glass.
A windshield is a crucial component of your car’s overall safety, not just its appearance. You can’t ever fully prevent a dangerous car accident, but you can significantly increase your safety during a wreck by supporting your vehicle’s structural integrity through durable windshield crack repair. Unprofessional repairs could jeopardize your safety if a severe wreck like a rollover takes place.
Home repair kits can also worsen your visibility due to lower-quality resin and lamps that are cloudy and will not cure as effectively as professional-grade products. Additionally, home repairs could eventually lessen your car’s market value due to poor windshield visibility and upkeep.
Your Clear View Awaits: Invest in a Professional Windshield Crack Repair Today
Every time you drive with a damaged windshield, you increase your chance of injury, further damage, and costly fines. Even the smallest chip can always turn into a much bigger and more expensive problem overnight. Don’t let a minor repair turn into a major headache, and let our team at Affordable Auto Glass take care of all your windshield repair needs.
Contact us today and get a free windshield crack repair quote!
