Should You Repair A Crack Windshield?

Most cracks in a windshield are caused by road debris. Items such as rocks and gravel can fly off of other cars or the road itself and hit your windshield, leaving a ding or crack behind. When this occurs, you may find yourself wondering whether you should repair the crack or have windshield replacement done. Here are a few of the factors you need to take into account when determining whether repair or replacement is best for your windshield. 

The Location of the Crack

One of the first factors you should consider when determining whether your windshield can be repaired or replaced is the location of the crack. If the crack is on the driver's side of the windshield or impairs your line of vision in any way when operating the car, the windshield should be replaced, rather than repaired. A repair will only seal the crack so that it will not spread any further. It does not remove the crack from your windshield. As such, if you can't see around it or it bothers you while driving, windshield replacement is the best option. 

The Size of the Crack

Another important factor to consider when deciding whether to repair a windshield crack or replace the windshield is the size of the crack. As a general rule of thumb, cracks that cannot be hidden underneath a dollar bill are too large to repair. If the crack is longer than this length, repairs typically do not hold up and most repair companies will not perform them. So grab a dollar bill and see if it hides your crack when deciding which choice is right for you. 

The Type of Crack

The last factor to consider when determining whether to repair or replace your cracked windshield is what type of crack is on the windshield. Typically, clean cracks, or those that are simply are a straight line, are easier to fill and hold up better than cracks that are webbed or have other cracks branching off of them. If your crack has a bunch of other lines or cracks extending from it, windshield repair may not be an option. However, if the crack is one straight, clean line, a repair may be an option. 

If there is a crack on your windshield, you will want to have the crack repaired or your windshield replaced in a timely manner. Contact an auto glass repair company today, like Express Glass Inc., to schedule an appointment to have your windshield repaired or replaced.