Vehicle windshields are sturdy, but they aren’t immune to damage. While collisions can impact them, some of the most common causes of windshield repair and replacement are less obvious. Here are some ways this essential component of your vehicle can be damaged.

3 Frequent Reasons for Windshield Repair & Replacement

1. Rock Chips

Wear and tear on roadways causes concrete and asphalt to break down, creating gravel deposits. These rocks are kicked up by passing tires and often hit nearby vehicles. While they’re often small, the force can cause body dents and chips on the windshield. Other roadway debris, such as blown tires, can also result in damage upon impact with auto glass. 

Even if a chip appears small and insignificant, it can quickly spread and inhibit your view behind the wheel. The fracture can also reduce the structural stability of the material. For these reasons, it’s vital to prioritize windshield repair as soon as possible.

2. Storms

Drivers in Missouri aren’t strangers to severe weather, including hail, tornados, and straight-line winds. Hail is particularly concerning as it can cause chips or severe cracks in windshields, depending on the size and speed of the ice.

Flying debris from high winds can also hit the glass to form chips and cracks. Damage spanning less than 6 inches can often be repaired, but larger or deep fissures may require windshield replacement. 

3. Rapid Temperature Changes

Glass expands in warm weather and contracts in cooler temperatures. In most conditions, the changes are minor and don’t impact the vehicle. However, when extreme variations in temperatures take place, the movement occurs so quickly that cracks can form and spread across the windshield. If severe, a full replacement is necessary to drive safely.

If your windshield has been damaged by roadway debris, hail, or other means, turn to Auto Glass Company in Troy, MO. The locally owned and operated company provides fast, dependable, and convenient windshield repairs and replacements to drivers throughout St. Charles, St. Louis, and Lincoln counties. Learn more about their services online, and request a free estimate at (636) 697-7222.