Let’s say you’re driving down the interstate, listening to the radio and jamming to your song when CRACK! A piece of debris or a rock hits your windshield, and suddenly you have a chip or crack in the glass. For many of us, this is a mild annoyance that doesn’t require immediate attention. However, much like a mole that appears out of nowhere, the sooner you get that crack checked, the better your odds of avoiding potential disaster. Auto glass repair is vital to your health and safety while driving. Here are the reasons to get your damaged windshield fixed or replaced.
Structural Integrity
Believe it or not, your windshield is an essential part of your car’s structure. Without the windshield in place, your vehicle’s roof will start to buckle and cave in. Thus, if your glass is cracked or damaged, it could lead to further structural damage to your car if you don’t take it to an auto glass repair shop.
Windshield Effectiveness
The way a windshield works is that two layers of glass are pressed together with a thin layer of resin between them. The resin acts as a bonding agent to prevent shards from flying out and cutting you. While this material is a lifesaver, it becomes weakened once damaged. Thus, if your windshield is cracked or chipped enough, the resin may not work in the event of a collision. Use an auto glass repair shop to determine if you can simply fix the glass or if it the whole piece needs to be replaced. If the resin is damaged, you’ll probably need to get a whole new windshield.
Limited Vision
Even if the crack or chip is not directly within your line of sight, it can still be a distraction. Compounding this problem is the fact that changes in temperature can cause the crack to widen and get bigger until it becomes more of a hazard than anything. Especially in Denver, Colorado, the potential for weather-related cracks is much higher. To avoid further damage, take your car to an auto glass repair shop and they can help prevent the crack from getting too out of hand.
