Warning Signs That It Might Be Time For A Windshield Replacement
Did you recently have something fly up from the road and strike your vehicle? Did the combination of ice on the outside and heat on the inside cause a sudden reaction to your auto glass? There are a variety of scenarios where it might become clear that your vehicle is badly in need of a windshield replacement if you want to remain safe out on the road. Here are some of the possible indicators or warning signs that you should be watching out for.
Damage Within Driver's Point of View
Your car might still be safe to drive if the chip or crack is small but this could be a different story if it's in a location that hurts the driver's ability to see the road. If you have a large crack or chip on the driver's side of the vehicle and a self-repair kit from your local auto parts shop isn't getting the job done enough to restore 100 percent visibility, you may need to consider professional repair or replacement. Being able to see the road ahead of you is obviously not something you can have compromised in any way.
Damage Through Both Layers
A windshield is typically made up of both an outer layer and an inner layer of glass. When a chip or a crack occurs, it's possible that only one layer will be affected. But if you can tell that the damage has gone deep and affected both layers, this will greatly affect the overall stability of the windshield. When there is damage to both layers, you are not likely going to fix the problem with a self-repair kit and replacement from a professional will likely be your best option.
Air or Moisture Problems Around the Edges
Perhaps you don't have damage like a chip or a crack on the glass but you can tell there is something wrong along the edges of the windshield. If there seems to be a gap that is letting air or moisture into the car, this is a huge warning sign that the windshield is no longer properly secured along the edges. A windshield that is not stable in this area could prove to be a significant safety hazard if you were to get into an accident. A stable windshield plays a large role in keeping your car safe after an impact and if you were to get into a head-on accident with a windshield that might not be capable of protecting you, this could be very dangerous for yourself and any passengers in the car.
For more information on windshield replacement, contact a company near you.