Your windshield is an essential part of your vehicle that keeps your vision clear and helps to protect you in the event of an accident. Auto glass professionals can restore windshields with seemingly irreparable cracks and chips, but repair only goes so far.
This guide will cover four signs it's time to replace your windshield so you can continue to drive safely and take action before more serious problems occur.
1. Severe Damage That may Spread
The viability of repairs drops drastically for cracks over 3.5 inches in length and chips that are larger than a quarter. This means damage that only warrants a quick repair now could require a full windshield replacement later. Worse yet, there is a good chance that existing damage will spread if you continue to drive and expose your windshield to the elements. You could be faced with a problem if cracks suddenly expand into your field of view while you're on the road.
2. White Haze Around Edges
Windshield glass could present a hazard of its own in an accident if it shattered like regular glass. To reduce the risk of injury from a shattered windshield, automakers treat their windshields with a resin called polyvinyl butyrate, or PVB. PVB acts as a binding layer on the outside of your windshield that greatly improves its shatter resistance.
When the PVB laminate coating starts to wear off of your windshield, you may first notice a white haze around the windshield edges. Lamination separation can occur when moisture seeps in between the layers of your windshield through a crack or opening. The PVB layer cannot be fused with the glass again once it is separated, so windshield replacement is necessary.
3. Specific Types of Cracks
Many drivers are surprised to learn that not all windshield cracks are the same. While no windshield damage should be ignored, edge cracks are a much more urgent issue than small cracks near the center of your windshield. Edge cracks are notorious for creating gaps that allow moisture to penetrate your windshield, and they can also be a sign that the adhesive around the edges of your windshield is failing.
Spiderweb cracks are another variety of windshield damage that point to a more serious underlying issue. These cracks resemble their namesake, often featuring dense branches that may radiate outward from a single point. Spiderweb cracks could be a sign that the glass under your windshield laminate has shattered, which can severely compromise the structural integrity of your vehicle. Visit an auto glass shop for an inspection any time windshield damage takes on unusual shapes or patterns.
4. Windshield Pitting
Every time you drive, your windshield is buffeted by tiny, invisible specks of dirt, sand, and stone. The effects of these small impacts can add up over time as tiny dents or pits appear in your windshield. Pitting typically covers the entire surface of a windshield, so it isn't a problem that is practical to repair without replacing the windshield.
Pitting can be difficult to detect in direct light, so it may seem like an inconsequential defect. However, when light hits a pitted windshield at a certain angle it can create a sudden and unexpected blinding effect. This occurs because pitting creates dents that are all roughly the same size and orientation. Replacing a pitted windshield is crucial to maintain safe visibility on the road at all times.
Windshields are one of the easiest parts of a vehicle to identify problems with. If you notice any of these signs that your windshield may have reached the end of its life, don't hesitate to visit a local auto glass shop that provides windshield replacement services.
