You’re driving down the road behind an 18-wheeler when suddenly – WHACK! – a rock comes out of nowhere and slams into your windshield causing it to crack. What do you do? Do you leave it? Should you have it fixed right away? Or do you wait?
Windshield cracks can be very annoying, especially if they are in your line of sight. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to replace your windshield. Deciding whether or not to get it replaced depends a lot on the size, location and extent of the chip. In most cases, glass shops can fix chips up to quarter size and cracks up to three inches long.
The good news is that the cost to repair a chipped windshield generally only costs between $20 and $50. It’s money well-spent when you think of the alternative. Waiting to fix a crack could cost you more in the long run. Cracks can spread very quickly, especially in the hot sun. Heat can cause the crack to grow and expand, and ultimately compromise the structural integrity of the glass. If a crack becomes too large, you’ll end up having to replace it. Cracks on the driver’s side of the windshield can also impede vision. Unfortunately, if either of those becomes the case, your car will probably fail the annual safety inspection.
There was a time when even small windshield cracks couldn’t be fixed. But not anymore. Thanks to modern technology, small cracks and chips are easily repaired using a special resin that is injected into the damaged area of the windshield, then cured and polished to restore clarity. In some cases, you’ll never know your windshield had been damaged. The best advice is to have a glass specialist look at your windshield as soon as possible.