Your car windshield might have cracks & chips over time. If these cracks are minor and less than forty mm in diameter, you can repair them easily. But if the damage is extensive, you must seek professional help to restore it. A certified professional can tell you the most suitable solution depending on the current condition of your windshield glass.    

You may be surprised that there are different types of windshield cracks. If you identify the type of cracks, it might be easier to decide whether it is repairable. Therefore, we have discussed all types of windshield cracks below;

Different Types of cracked windshields

Stress Crack:

You must have witnessed cracks on your windshield that didn’t cause any visible damage. Specialists say it is a stress crack. The main reason behind such a crack is impulsive and serious fluctuations in pressure & temperature. 

Glass windshields can cause expansion during hot summers & contraction in cold winters. These extreme weather conditions may cause cracks in the windshield. For example, if your car is extensively heated with the AC on, you may experience a blast in AC.  Another example of stress cracks is the aging of windshield glass. 

Floater Crack:

This type of crack develops at the edge of the car windshield. You can spot these cracks on the center of the windshield or a minimum of two inches away from the edge of the windshield. Such cracks may vary in length and tend to expand very quickly, requiring the immediate attention of professionals. Professionals will evaluate the severity of the damage and recommend the correct solution. 

Crack Chips:

When small pebbles or rocks suddenly strike over the car windshield, your car windshield may get damaged. Such a type of damage is called a crack chip. However, you can restore this damage quickly & efficiently. Professionals can determine the repair type after evaluating the size of the cracks.     

Edge Crack:

The edge crack can occur inside two inches of the windshield edge and spread, touching the edge.  Usually, the size of these cracks may vary between ten to twelve inches. Such edge cracks require windshield replacement from expert hands.  You must change your windshield as earlier as possible to avoid severe consequences. 

Combination Break:

Multiple cracks & chips are collectively called a combination break or crack. It is the commonest type of damage, yet it is sustainable. The reason for the occurrence of combination breaks may range from hitting a sharp edge object to extreme weather changes. The restoration solution of windshield damage depends on the seriousness of the damage. You can visit a professional store as only they can treat the tiny cracks effectively & timely. It is necessary to seek professional helps as the damage can extend beyond expectation, causing replacement as the only solution. 

What are the different Causes of Windshield Cracks?

Existing Issues

The glass may be more prone to damage due to some installation or manufacturing flaws. Such errors may develop into a visible safety risk. Choose a high-quality glass replacement service if a crack appears.

Bad Roads

Your wheels will grind on stones when you are driving on gravel roads. The stone bounces off due to friction between the two surfaces, hitting your windscreen. A chip that begins as a crack gradually becomes one. If you must drive on such roads, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

Sweltering sun rays

The chemical bonds in your glass relax, and the surface of your windscreen expands when direct sunshine hits it. This may eventually lead to cracks while enabling heat to travel through, putting you at risk of an unplanned sauna. Because the center of the windscreen is the thickest section, cracks tend to start there. Cover your car with a shield or keep it in a garage in extremely hot weather.

Hailstorms 

The winter season can occasionally bring hailstorms to locations that often suffer severe weather. Similar to someone throwing stones at your windscreen on purpose, stones fall during such storms. It has a greater potential for breaking as a result. Stop your car in a secure location and wait for the storm to pass.

Accidents

When you park along the road, routine tasks become dangerous affairs. A ball, shuttle, or another object might whiz by your car. It puts your vehicle and your windscreen at risk as well.

Heavy-Duty Vehicles to Follow

Materials that might break your windscreen if they fall on it are carried by garbage trucks, tractors, construction vehicles, and the parking lot. Additionally, there is a greater chance that the vehicle will unload abruptly due to poor road conditions, inadequate latching securement, or overloads. Change lanes or keep a safe distance to avoid such vehicles on the road.

Crack When Under Stress

Like how the human body adjusts to altitude and air pressure changes, your windscreen will become unbalanced. Your windscreen may crack if you drive slowly on the road. In hill stations, go at the right speed and take extra precautions.

Variable Temperatures

In the same way that an exceptionally cold or hot environment can harm your glass, internal temperature changes can also have the same effect. The windscreen will become damaged due to these extremities’ abrupt expansions and contractions. Take care when adjusting the heating and defrosting settings in your car.

Stumbling Ruins

The next time you park in a shaded area, consider whether it is secure. To respond, most of them become hazards for your windscreen. Trees that block the sun could drop a stray limb or piece of fruit onto your car’s windscreen. Leaving your car in an open area lessens the likelihood of such occurrences.

Older windscreen glasses have a shelf life and eventually stop working. They will be vulnerable to the slightest blow if they have endured years of misery. Such windscreens frequently get thinner and more fragile over time; therefore, if you have an old car and are considering replacing the windscreen.

Visit windshield heroes if you want an effective solution from a certified professional who deals with all types of issues with car windshields.