You will count on your windshield a lot more than you realize. On a sunny day, you will thank it for giving you the ability to see where you are going and keeping the wind out of your face. On a rainy day, you will be grateful that it is preventing the rain from hitting you. However, the windshield is also a safety feature. Besides making sure nothing hits you in the face, it also protects you in the case of an accident. The windshield is designed to take a lot of impact and when something does cause it to break, it will hold together instead of breaking into dangerous shards of glass. Also, in the case of a rollover, the windshield helps to prevent the roof of the car from caving in. There are many reasons why a windshield may need to be replaced and here are some examples of those times:
The windshield is cracked
If there is a crack in your windshield, it may be able to be repaired or it may require a replacement. You want to take it in and have it looked at in order to find out which way you need to go. You may see a small to medium-sized crack and think it only needs to be repaired. However, there are some things that go into determining whether a crack can be fixed or replaced that takes a professional to determine. Not only does the size of the crack matter, but the location and other factors also need to be considered.
The windshield is pitted
When you drive your car through certain conditions, such as a dust storm, then the windshield can end up being pitted. Also, living in a certain region can increase the amount of pitting that happens to the windshield because there is more dust in the air in general. Pitting is a common problem for those who live in desert regions. When a windshield gets very pitted, it can affect the way you see out of it and this can lead to the windshield needing to be replaced.
The windshield is loose
If your car was involved in an accident, it may look as if the windshield came out of it alright if you don't immediately see any cracks or chips. However, you might notice the windshield is loose later on. A loose windshield should also be replaced. Not only will it not be as safe when it is loose, but it can also end up leaking which can cause water damage inside of the car. As soon as you determine the windshield is loose, you should take the car in to have the windshield looked at and most likely be replaced.
Reach out to a windshield installation specialist near you to learn more.
