Cracked Windshield: To Repair or Not To Repair

Automobile repair of any kind is expensive and time consuming, so many of us can admit to cutting corners from time to time when it comes to deciding whether or not to get our cars checked out. For example, you may think that driving with a small crack in the windshield is harmless as long as it does not spread. While this might be the case, you are putting yourself at high risk for a more dangerous and irreparable outcome. It is never a good idea to make assumptions about the safety of your vehicle without consulting a professional or doing some research (like reading the Wrench blog)!

Because of this, we recommend hiring a Wrench mobile mechanic to come to your house or place of work to assess the windshield damage and determine what the best course of action may be. Often times, a simple repair is all it will take, and your car will be back on the road in under an hour. Even if an entire replacement is necessary, the process is also efficient and is almost always covered by your automobile insurance. This entire process can be accomplished from the comfort of your home when you choose Wrench to help. Read these simple “dos” and “don'ts” to determine what steps are right for your car.

Things to note:

• The windshield is comprised of two strong pieces of glass with a layer of resin in the middle, which prevents the entire windshield from shattering and collapsing in the case of a stray rock or accident.
• It is relatively inexpensive to repair a damaged windshield if the crack or chip is small enough (usually less than $100). This is the best option because you are solving the problem before it gets worse and you risk having to get the entire windshield replaced.
• Most insurance companies will cover the cost of windshield repair and replacement, so do not let monetary restrictions stop you from at least getting the damage assessed by a professional. Your safety comes first!

What you SHOULD do if your windshield is damaged:

• Assess the location of the crack. If it is directly in the driver’s line of sight, it is important that you replace your windshield as quickly as possible, because this puts the driver at high risk of accident. Just getting your windshield repaired in this situation is unacceptable because it can cause distortions and further hinder the line of sight.
• Determine the damage. If the crack can be covered by a dollar bill, or if the chip is smaller than a quarter, you may not need to replace your entire windshield. As long as the crack has not spidered, it should not get too much worse if repaired correctly. Although there are glass repair kits that you can purchase and do yourself, we recommend hiring a Wrench mechanic to repair your windshield to ensure that your vehicle is as safe for driving as possible.
• Call a professional. To ensure that your windshield gets repaired safely and correctly, it is important that this is done so by a professional. A Wrench mechanic would be happy to come to your house and perform this service for you as to not further inconvenience you after experiencing this road bump, so to speak.
• Drive safe! Not only is this a precautionary tip so that this entire process may be avoided in the future, it is a good reminder if you are driving with damage to your windshield. Even if your windshield has been repaired or the damage is minimal, it is still important to avoid driving recklessly because you never know what you may encounter on the road.

What you SHOULD NOT do if your windshield is damaged:

• Do not wait around to repair a small crack or chip. The longer you wait to get this inspected or repaired could result in debris piling up in the crack or chip and will make the repair more difficult. Debris can cause the repair to result in a cloudy spot on the windshield that may be more difficult to see out of and more unpleasant to look at. Cover the chip or crack with clear packing tape if you do not have time to get it repaired right away. If the damage is relatively small but you are short on time, cover the damage with tape to prevent debris from getting in. This is the only type of tape that should be used and should be applied carefully to avoid making the damage worse.
• Do not cut corners. When navigating this process, it is important that you do not take any shortcuts, because a working windshield is critical to the safety of your vehicle.
• Avoid driving with a severely damaged windshield. Driving with a cracked windshield puts you at greater risk for suffering often fatal consequences of an accident because it can weaken the structure of your vehicle. In some states, driving with a cracked windshield, or windshield with multiple chips, is illegal and will not pass vehicle inspection. Not only that, but it is much more expensive to replace the entire windshield rather than repairing a small part of it.

Bottom line: use your best judgment. Do not risk putting yourself or your passengers in danger when it could be easily avoidable. If you are questioning whether to repair or replace your windshield, have a Wrench mobile mechanic come assess the situation for you and then help you decide your best course of action.