When Do You Need Auto Glass Repair, and When Do You Need Glass Replacement?

If you’ve got damaged auto glass, whether that’s a windshield or a window, it can sometimes be difficult to know whether to replace or repair it. Sometimes even cracks that seem quite large can be repaired, and in certain parts of the country, even small issues can quickly lead to large problems that eventually require replacing the glass.

In this blog, we’ll try to help you clearly understand when a crack can safely be remedied by auto glass repair in Walnut, CA, and when an issue, instead, requires full-on replacement.

When your glass can be repaired

• If it’s within certain size parameters: Chips in your glass can pose more problems than cracks, as far as the repair process is concerned. Generally, any chip larger than a nickel or any crack longer than your index finger should probably be replaced rather than repaired. However, it is certainly still worth consulting with a glass repair shop, as sometimes cracks up to 14 inches long and chips up the four inches are reparable.
• When the damage is not near the outer edges of the glass: Damage that extends to the edge of your glass makes it much more likely to shatter if you’re ever in an accident. This is bad news if that glass is your windshield. Your windshield actually plays an integral part in preventing your car roof from collapsing in the event of a rollover. Almost 50 percent of the cabin’s structure is secured by the strength of your laminated-glass windshield.
• When you don’t have any sensors that are altered by damage in your glass: Some cars have rain sensors, lane assists systems or other systems that require sensors to be able to clearly see out your windshield. If you have these sensors, you’ll likely need to replace rather than repair your windshield, as any amount of obstruction caused by glass damage is going to greatly decrease these systems’ usefulness.

When you should replace your glass

• When the crack poses a safety risk: As we said, any crack or chip above the limits mentioned above pose a serious safety risk to you and your car should you ever get in an accident or a roll over. If you have cracks that become complex—like cracks that break off into different directions like a spider web—then you certainly need to replace your glass as soon as you can.
• When you live in an extremely cold climate: In certain climates, especially really cold climates, or places like Colorado where it can be really cold one day and quite warm another, the exaggerated freeze/thaw cycle of these climates wreaks havoc on basically any material, but especially glass. This can make even a small crack into an enormous crack basically overnight.
• When you have good insurance: Sometimes your insurance company might prefer that you just go ahead and get your windshield replaced to head off any issues in the future. If you’ve got good insurance, and they’re willing to pay for the glass replacement, then you should replace your glass.

Pete’s Auto Body has been a trusted provider of auto glass and window repair in Walnut, CA for over 26 years. We work with many insurance providers, and we are both quick and thorough with all the work we do. If you’re looking for auto glass repair, or for any other auto body service, please come in or give us a call today.

Categorised in: Glass Repair, Window Repair

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