Nan Ray
Why Windshields Crack
Windshield Cracks and how to address them
Cracked windshields are a nuisance and can be a hazard. Once you have a crack, they slowly grow bigger and bigger until they can’t be repaired and instead, must be replaced.
That’s why it’s essential that you do your best to prevent your windshield from cracking and repair it immediately if it does end up getting a crack.
Understanding How Windshields Crack
In order to prevent your windshield from damage, you need to understand why windshields crack and how to avoid those circumstances.
The best thing you can do to prevent windshield damage is to avoid the conditions that cause cracks in the first place.
Windshields Crack Reasons
There are a number of road and car conditions that can cause your windshield to crack. These include:
Roads Made With Gravel
Gravel roads can send debris shooting up when someone drives over them. If you’re too close to the car in front of you, don’t be surprised if some gravel flies up and hits your windshield.
Avoid the potential damage by giving yourself plenty of space behind the car in front of you. You can also do your best to stay on maintained and paved roads, avoiding gravel roads altogether.
Having Construction Trucks Driving In Front Of You
Construction vehicles often have debris flying off of them, even if they’re on a regularly paved road. They tend to be filled with stuff that can easily come off, hitting the cars that are directly behind them.
In order to keep debris from hitting your windshield, try not to drive behind construction trucks. If you find yourself caught behind one, maintain a safe distance so that anything flying off the truck won’t hit you.
Your Windshield Glass Was Made Poorly
Let’s face it; some things are just better quality than others. If you have a windshield that is of poor quality, it could easily crack. Make sure and get top quality glass when you are having your windshield repaired.
The Windshield Was Installed Wrong
In the same way, you could have a windshield that was installed improperly, or simply doesn’t fit your vehicle. This is a very dangerous situation for you and other drivers on the road. Simply accelerating at high speeds on the highway can cause your windshield to break.
An Accident
There are a number of accidents that can crack your windshield. Obviously a car accident will cause damage, including a cracked windshield. However, simple accidents can cause damage too.
If something hits your windshield at a high speed, such as a ball, a bird, or a rock, your windshield could crack. Make sure and drive carefully, watch out for hazards, and do what you can to protect your windshield from benign the victim of an accident.
Change In Temperature
Extreme temperature changes can cause your windshield to crack, just as a frozen glass cracks in hot water. If you are in an area that will be fluctuating temperatures from cold to hot, make sure and prepare so that your windshield doesn’t crack from the change.
You can use your defrost to warm up your car slowly so that it doesn’t experience the extreme change. It’s also a good idea to avoid parking in the direct sunlight, which will warm your car up quickly.
The Sunlight
The heat from sunlight will cause your windshield’s outer glass to expand quicker than the center glass. This can cause cracking. In order to avoid this, try to keep your car out of the direct sunlight when you park.
Change In Pressure
Fluctuating pressure can cause stress cracks. This happens when you are driving at extreme speeds or when objects push against the windshield.
Hail
Hail falls down fast and hard, pelting whatever is underneath it. A hail storm that sends hail shooting down with a lot of force has the potential to crack your windshield. If you are driving and it begins to hail, pull over and seek shelter for your car.
Parking Under Trees
Things can fall out of trees. Sticks, acorns, pine cones, and other debris are all commonly dropped out of trees by birds, squirrels, or off the tree itself. Avoid parking under trees to prevent something from falling on your windshield and cracking it.
How To Fix Your Cracked Windshield
Your windshield is an essential part of your car. Damage can often be repaired if you catch it soon enough, but sometimes the damage is too great and your windshield will need to be replaced. Do your best to avoid instances that could crack your windshield in order to prevent the costly damage.
If your windshields crack, contact Eden Auto Glass today. We have the experience to repair or replace your cracked windshield properly. Using high-quality glass and tools, we ensure every car gets back on the road safely. Call today for your estimate.