Driving on a highway, it is not unusual for a rock or other piece of debris to strike the windshield of your car. If the impact results in a cracked or chipped windshield, it is important to have the glass repaired as soon as possible. Here are a few reasons why:
Poor Collision Protection
Once a windshield is damaged, its structural integrity is compromised. The windshield may no longer be able to withstand a collision without popping out of place. If a windshield is displaced during a collision, the support needed for the roof of the vehicle to avoid collapse may not be available.
Many windshields are made of a layer of vinyl resin that is sandwiched between two transparent layers of glass. The resin holds the glass in position in case of a collision or impact and prevents tiny shards of glass from being propelled into the air. This design helps ensure the safety of passengers in case of a car wreck.
Nevertheless, if the vinyl resin layer is damaged, the windshield may not provide the protection from glass shards that it was designed to offer.
More Expensive Repairs
A windshield that is damaged by flying debris may only incur a small chip initially. However, over time, changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature can cause the the chip to widen and lengthen into a long crack. If the crack is small, it made the reparable without having to replace the entire windshield. However, a full windshield replacement is needed for an extensive crack.
The cost to repair a crack in a windshield is generally between $50 and $150. However, the cost to repair a small chip is only $10 to $60. In addition, replacing an entire windshield will usually cost between $100 and $400. If a windshield is difficult to find due to the rarity of the vehicle or due to the age of the car, it may cost between $500 and $1,500 to complete the windshield replacement.
Avoiding a Fine
In some areas, it is not legal to drive with a damaged windshield. Since the damage can compromise the driver's ability to see clearly through the windshield, it may be difficult to safely operate a vehicle with a large crack in its windshield. If you are pulled over by a police officer and he or she notices a large crack in your windshield, you may incur a fine.
If you have a crack or chip in your windshield, contact a windshield repair specialist in your area as soon as possible. Go to websites like http://www.centralglassutah.com for more information.
