Don’t let a tiny chip in your windshield become a bigger problem that requires auto glass repair. Glass damage, even small, insignificant chips, can grow exponentially in a matter of seconds if you’re not careful, especially in Houston’s fast-paced environment. To prevent your windshield damage from worsening, avoid these 7 most common mistakes to keep your glass in the best condition possible.
Windshield maintenance is vital for more than just crystal clear visibility while driving. They offer integral support for both your car’s structural integrity and the crucial airbag deployment system. At Affordable Auto Glass, we understand that life is busy and expensive – by following these helpful tips, we hope to keep our clients safe on the road for as long as possible. However, understanding when to call in a professional is the best way to keep you and your family safe on Houston’s busy roads.
Mistake #1: Using DIY Auto Glass Repair Kits
If you’re looking to fix your windshield on a budget, DIY kits can be tempting. This is especially true for small cracks or chips that are easy to write off as purely cosmetic issues. While you may believe these kits can help save you money – they can actually lead to more extensive and costly auto glass damage that demands professional attention.
These are harmful for your car’s windshield primarily because of the low-quality, ineffective resin that is included. When these materials are combined with inexperienced skill, they can not only extend the existing crack or damage, but can also contribute to a yellow, cloudy appearance throughout the entire windshield.
Even worse, sometimes, botched DIY repairs can make a professional auto glass repair impossible – requiring a more expensive, full-scale replacement instead of a modest chip repair.
Mistake #2: Driving in Houston With Windshield Glass Damage
Think of small windshield cracks or chips as ticking time bombs – regardless of how small they may seem, they are likely to spread quickly and when you least expect it. If you continue to wait, the damage can become a widespread problem that might be irreversible and require a complete repair, which can be significantly more expensive. In Houston, there are a variety of everyday occurrences that can quickly take your auto glass damage from bad to even worse, including:
- Extreme heat: Houston is probably most well known for the city’s blistering heat that never stops – even during the winter. What many don’t know is that when temperatures soar, it causes glass to expand. After it expands in the heat, any exposure to cooler air, such as turning on your AC, can cause the glass to rapidly contract. This can cause the smallest, unnoticeable chip to spread across your entire windshield in a matter of seconds.
- Constant road construction: Another thing about Houston is that, regardless of how much construction you may see on the road, it never seems to actually be completed. Constant roadway construction sites can cause lots of debris to find its way to your path. This can lead to loose nails, gravel, or glass being thrown at your windshield, potentially causing worse damage or new cracks entirely.
- Driving vibrations: Houston’s highways are busy, to say the least. If you spend lots of time in traffic, this can greatly increase your existing damage and cause it to grow swiftly.
- Severe weather events: Lastly, Houston’s also well-known for its unruly weather. If your windshield already has existing damage, intense rainstorms, especially the presence of hail, can cause mild damage to become large-scale problems.
Mistake #3: Attempting to Tape Over Your Auto Glass Damage
Many Houston car owners might think that tape can serve as a quick, simple, and cheap fix for their damaged windshield woes. However, it is quite the opposite. Much like common DIY repair kits, this shortcut might seem tempting, but it can actually lead to a slew of harm for your auto glass. While tape can be helpful when it comes to keeping dirt and other small particles from entering the damage and causing friction, the adhesive can actually significantly hinder professional repair efforts.
This is because the tape’s adhesive cannot be fully removed, especially without further damaging the glass. When this happens, a repair is hardly ever possible – leading to a windshield replacement that could’ve been a fast, simple repair. For most aspects of auto glass repair, it is vital to remember that glass is a delicate material. Regardless of how small the damage is, it will only grow and become more serious over time, and many “quick” fixes will only contribute to the damage.
Mistake #4: Aggressive, Improper Glass Cleaning Methods – The Fast Track to Windshield Replacement
While the last thing you want to do is make your windshield’s existing damage worse, oftentimes, it’s the simplest, mundane things that can add to it exponentially. Although keeping your windshield clean of debris is vital for preventing worsening damage, keep in mind these tips for safe windshield cleaning efforts:
- Avoid abrasive materials: If your windshield has existing damage, be sure to avoid using tools like scrapers, stiff brushes, or abrasive clothes near the chip or crack. The intense friction can easily expand the damage.
- Use proper, safe cleaning solutions: Using a glass-specific cleaner and a microfiber windshield cleaning cloth is essential for gentle but effective cleaning.
- Avoid excessive pressure: The worst mistake you could make while cleaning a damaged windshield is using excessive force. This is because your windshield is already in a fragile state, regardless of the size of the crack. By exerting any pressure on the pane, you risk detrimental harm to the entire piece of glass as a whole.
- Pay attention to the edges: If your auto glass damage is located near the edge of the windshield, pay careful attention to stay away from it completely. The edge of a windshield is often one of the most sensitive places because of the free edge, making it even easier to accidentally worsen the crack.
Mistake #5: Delaying Professional Houston Auto Glass Repair
Like many aspects of life, procrastination can be your worst enemy. Life is expensive, especially when you are a car owner in Houston, but when it comes to auto glass repair, letting our technicians at Affordable Auto Glass handle it is the safest course of action by far.
While windshields’ largest role in safety is keeping debris and rain out of your car, they also play an integral role in your car’s structural integrity in the event of a rollover. When you leave your auto glass weakened, it can result in a full roof collapse – making an already dangerous situation even worse. Lastly, they also play a critical role in windshield deployment. If your glass is fragile, it cannot provide crucial support for the airbags during a deployment, potentially preventing them from fully protecting you from impact. Because of these safety hazards, investing in fast, dependable auto glass repair in Houston is a non-negotiable.
Don’t let one small chip turn into a larger issue due to procrastination; let our team of experts restore it to pristine condition and get you back on the road safely. Contact Affordable Auto Glass in Houston today for a free auto glass repair estimate!