When to Replace Your Windshield as Opposed to Repairing It: Warning Signs

A crack has made its way across your windshield and you are thinking a patch might suffice? Or perhaps that chip from some highway debris has you second guessing if it is cause for concern. Tired of the guesswork over whether a repair will be adequate or if you are in need of a new one?

Let Auto Glass on the Move put your mind at ease. As an independent, family owned auto glass firm we have been in business in Oakland and the Greater East Bay since 1979. Give us a ring at (510) 616-4678 and we can run you through what you have to work with.

We do not believe every case warrants a full replacement; an affordable and speedy fix is often all it takes for minor chips and cracks. Then there is damage of a certain nature that a repair cannot stand up to, leaving you and those in the car exposed. The following are the indicators that you should opt for replacement.

Size of the Damage

In this trade one abides by the rule that size is everything. While short cracks and the like are amenable to repair, larger ones are not. You would be wise to consider a new windshield if you see any of these:

• A crack running more than six inches
• Chips in excess of a quarter in width
• An accumulation of several chips or cracks in close proximity
• A crack of any kind that has found its way to the edge of the glass
• Damage that is already on the move from when you first saw it

Pay particular attention to edge cracks. The structural integrity of the windshield is borne by the outer border and any damage there will only get worse in a hurry.

Location

Where the damage is located is of equal consequence. Even a small chip in the driver’s direct line of sight is problematic since a repair may introduce some distortion. That is no issue on the passenger side but you do not want it impeding your view of the road. For the same reason, damage at the edges is better replaced than patched.

Damage that is Deep or Layered

There is more to a windshield than a single pane of glass; two layers are bonded together with plastic in between. A repair is effective so long as the outer layer is the only one affected. Should a crack penetrate to the inner layer, or if you can make out the damage from inside the vehicle, then you are not going to get back the strength and clarity required. In that event a replacement is the prudent course of action.

Things You Will See and Feel

Once you are looking for them the signs are plain to see:

• A whitish haze about the damaged spot
• A crack that becomes apparent in the right light
• Old repairs on the fritz or spreading
• Dirt or moisture in a chip
• Glass that is noisy or flexes over a bump

Moisture and grime in a chip will preclude a good bond with a repair. An older one that is failing tells you the glass has had its day.

The Importance of Doing it Right

Consider that your airbags rely on the windshield to deploy as intended and it is what holds up the roof in a rollover. It is not a risk to take by skimping on a windshield in dire need of replacement.

Our installers are certified to OEM standards and the glass we use is in keeping with OEM and Department of Transportation requirements. We also do our own ADAS recalibration for your safety sensors and cameras so there is no need to go to the dealership.

Making Things Convenient for You

With fully equipped mobile units we provide free service to your home or place of work in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Most major insurers approve us and we deal with claims on your behalf. For the insurance customer a comprehensive no-fault claim on windshield damage generally means little or no cost.

Licensed (California Automotive Repair Dealer #297376) and insured, Auto Glass on the Move stands behind its work with a lifetime warranty on workmanship and a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee for the life of your vehicle.

Do not put off dealing with a crack because it could spread. Contact us at (510) 616-4678 and our team will advise you on the best course of action. Our hours are 8:00am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 3:00pm Saturday and 9:00am to noon on Sunday.