Your vehicle’s windshield is designed to protect you from dirt and debris and harsh weather conditions like wind, rain, and hail. It is also essential for the overall structural integrity of the car, acting as a shield that holds the vehicle’s framework together during a crash.
A damaged windshield, regardless of how insignificant the crack or chip may seem, can seriously impact your vehicle’s safety features, including the proper deployment of airbags in a crash. Even a small chip can cause the windshield to fail during a collision, putting you and your passengers at greater risk.
Don’t let the thing that’s designed to protect you be the reason that your family is put at risk. Addressing cracks and chips early can prevent a small issue from turning into a major safety concern during an accident.
Is It Necessary To Replace A Cracked Windshield?
The short answer is yes; it is necessary to replace a cracked windshield. As established in the previous paragraphs, your windshields play an important role in holding your vehicle’s safety systems together, from protecting you against outside forces to ensuring that the airbags deploy properly in an accident. Even small cracks can spread due to temperature changes, vibrations, or minor impacts, turning what seems like a minor issue into a serious safety hazard.
By replacing the windshield promptly, you avoid the risks associated with reduced visibility, weak structural support, and compromised safety features.
When To Replace Cracked Windshield?
There are two ways to deal with a damaged windshield: either you get an auto glass repair or a replacement. Our auto glass experts at Newmkart Auto Glass will help you determine whether your windshield needs a simple rock chip repair or a full windshield replacement.
Here are some helpful tips from experts on when to replace a cracked windshield:
1. Assess the Size of the Damage
Take a good look at the damage and see if the crack is longer or shorter than six inches. Usually, if the crack is larger than six inches, a replacement is recommended because the structural integrity of the windshield is likely compromised.
Smaller cracks can sometimes be repaired, but anything longer poses a higher risk of spreading and weakening the glass.
2. Location of the Crack
Cracks near the edge of the windshield tend to spread more quickly, compromising the structural integrity of the entire glass. If the damage is located along the edge, a windshield replacement is often the best option.
3. Check for Spidering
When cracks begin to “spider” out from the original impact point, this indicates that the damage is actively spreading. If you’re wondering, “will a windshield crack get worse over time”, the answer is yes—spidering is a clear sign that it will.
As the cracks continue to grow, repair becomes less effective, and replacement is often the only option to ensure your windshield maintains its strength and integrity.
4. Beware of Temperature Fluctuations
Extreme heat or cold can have a significant impact on the integrity of your windshield. High temperatures cause the glass to expand, which can quickly turn a small crack into a much larger issue.
On the flip side, in freezing conditions, moisture trapped in the crack can freeze and expand, further stressing the glass. If you’ve noticed that the damage is getting worse due to temperature fluctuations, it’s a clear sign that the windshield is no longer structurally sound.
5. Impact on Visibility
Any damage that obstructs the driver’s line of sight, no matter how minor, can pose a serious safety risk. Even small cracks or chips can distort light, causing glare or blurriness, which becomes especially dangerous during night driving or in bad weather.
If the crack affects visibility in any way, it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a threat to safe driving. At this point, replacement is the only option to ensure you can drive safely and with a clear view of the road ahead.
What Happens If You Don’t Fix A Cracked Windshield?
Ignoring a cracked windshield might seem like a minor issue at first, but over time, that small crack can quickly turn into a much bigger problem. The crack can easily expand due to factors like extreme heat, cold, or road vibrations. As the damage grows, it weakens the structural integrity of your vehicle, which could result in a total windshield failure during a crash.
Moreover, a cracked windshield can impair your visibility, especially at night or in bad weather, increasing your risk of accidents. You wouldn’t want to put your family at risk just because of a damaged windshield. By addressing the issue early, you can avoid dangerous driving conditions and ensure that your vehicle’s safety features function properly when you need them most.
Trust the Windshield Experts at Newmarket Auto Glass
Your safety matters, which is why Newmarket Auto Glass provides top-tier windshield replacement services you can count on. To make things easier for you, Newmarket Auto Glass provides free mobile services throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Whether you’re at home or work, our expert technicians will come to you and handle your auto glass replacement on-site, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
We use high-quality materials and expert installation techniques to ensure your windshield keeps you safe on the road.