Your car windshield plays an important role. It keeps you safe from debris and dirt on the road. It can bear an onslaught of rain and hail during those severe thunderstorms. While it is solid and durable, the windshield can become damaged after a severe impact. When your car has a damaged windshield, you will want to get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Here are the different types of windshield glass damage that you might see on your vehicle.
Types of Windshield Glass Damage
If your vehicle’s windshield is damaged, you can either replace or repair it.
Minor Chips
As you travel down the road, an impact from a stone or pebble can leave a small chip in the glass. These chips might seem like minor issues, but your glass could need a replacement. Depending on the chip’s size, severity, and location, a small chip could result in a total window replacement. You will want to have your window inspected by a professional. Some technicians can use the latest technology to repair those minor chips. If the chip damage is only on the surface of the glass, it should be a simple repair for your local auto body shop.
Bull’s Eye
One of the most common types of windshield damage is the bull’s eye. When debris hits your windshield, it can leave a circular break in the glass. Many of these cracks are small in size, but they could lead to a full windshield replacement. If you see this type of crack on your windshield, make sure to bring it to a repair shop right away. This type of damage can compromise the rest of your glass. However, most of these chips can be repaired by a trained technician.
Star Break
Everyone loves stars until you see one on your windshield. This chip damage resembles a starburst on the glass. From the point of impact, it might have various lengths extending from the center. If you don’t treat these cracks, they can spread throughout your windshield. In turn, the glass will start to weaken. When you spot a star break, you need to get it repaired immediately.
Clover Leaf
Despite the name, these chips do not bring good luck. This type of chip damage is more severe than the others. It involves a separation of the underlayers of glass. If you find this damage, contact your local technician. A professional can quickly repair these chips.
Bee’s Wing
A bee’s wing is similar to a star break, and it can spread out to other parts of your glass. However, this is another easily fixed chip.
Half-Moon
This chip looks like a half-circle in the middle. If you find the right windshield technician, it is an easy fix for your vehicle.
Combination Break
Some types of damages have a combination of these chips. In many cases, the chip damage can be easily repaired by a trained professional. Many of these chips are fixable, but you need to act immediately. If you leave the damage on the window, it will often expand to other areas of the glass. As a result, a simple fix turns into a complete windshield replacement.
Unrepairable Chips
Unfortunately, some repairs are not fixable. When a chip exceeds 40mm in diameter, you will need to replace the entire windshield. You also have to look at the severity of the damage. If the chip penetrates both layers of the glass, your windshield will need to be replaced.
The damage should never obstruct the driver’s vision. If that is the case with your windshield’s damage, it is time for a replacement. Finally, tiny chips can be easily fixed, but a vehicle littered with several chips will also need a new windshield.
Cracks
Along with chips, cracks can also be found on your windshield’s glass. Cracks can begin in the corners of your windshield and quickly spread. For that reason, these cracks compromise the integrity of the glass. You will have to replace the entire windshield.
If the polyvinyl layer of the glass has been damaged, then a crack repair is not a feasible option. You can always talk to a professional windshield expert about your damage. However, you will find that most cracked glass leads to a total windshield replacement.
Damaged Windshield Hazards
As you already know, the windshield is an important safety component of your vehicle. If you drive around with a chipped or cracked windshield, you could be putting yourself or others at risk. You need proper visibility as you drive down the road. When the damage is in your line of sight, it can lead to accidents.
Along with that, damaged glass can affect the structural integrity of the windshield. During an accident, your passengers can be ejected from the vehicle, or the roof might collapse. Even your airbag relies on a well-maintained window. If your windshield is broken, then this safety component could fail to deploy.
If you find any damage in your car, you will want to contact a professional auto body shop. These technicians have state-of-the-art tools to fix your glass. If you need a windshield replacement, they also will make sure your vehicle has the right glass and proper fit. They understand the safety requirements to help protect everyone on the road.
You never want to drive around with a damaged windshield. It can endanger the life of you and your passengers. These tiny cracks and chips might seem harmless, but they can lead to catastrophic problems down the road.
Contact an Auto Body Shop Near Me
At Elmer’s Auto Body, we want you to be safe on the road. Our team has the experience to work on your vehicle. Whether you need a repair or replacement, we can handle all those tricky windshield issues.
We are an I-CAR Gold Class and Assured Performance certified shop. Our crew has the expertise to work on a variety of makes and models. Don’t drive around with a damaged vehicle. Make sure to call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202 to schedule an appointment.
