You're driving down Empress Street here in Winnipeg, and you hear a loud thunk on your windshield.
Groan. You know what that could mean for your car and wallet.
It could be pea gravel coming from uncovered construction trucks or random debris kicked up by passing cars. And you don't have to be driving down Manitoba's worst road for it to happen.
Once you inspect the car glass, your inevitable first question is whether you can repair any damage or if you have to replace the windshield. The answer depends on the size, depth, and location of the damage. Read on to learn what to do.
Chip vs. Crack
Small impact blemishes are chips, while a long line is a crack. Both are repairable, and both can call for replacement. The size of glass damage is only one factor to consider.
Think of your windshield as a glass sandwich. There's an outer layer of glass, a plastic interlayer, and an inside layer of glass. Any damage that penetrates to the inside layer is going to mean replacement no matter the size.
A proper assessment from an auto glass specialist can determine whether you need replacement or repair.
When to Repair
It's common to need windshield chip repair in Winnipeg. Road construction and winter sanding leave all kinds of small debris flying at your car.
In general, size does matter for a repair. Chips smaller than a quarter and cracks up to six inches long are fixable as long as they are only in the outer layer.
The repair involves the application of a clear resin that cures into the glass. Done well, it should leave a smooth, invisible surface and keep damage from spreading.
If the damage is repairable, do it immediately. Even a small chip can spread across the windshield and force a replacement.
When to Replace
Replacement is called for if the damage impairs the driver's visibility or breaks the glass's inner layer. Also, sometimes cracks or chips are too large for a safe repair.
If the damage is near the edge of the windshield or goes into a corner, there is a risk of compromising the windshield's strength. Your windshield accounts for up to 60 percent of the vehicle's cabin's structural integrity in a rollover. Replacing it is called for in these cases.
Replacing broken windows will take a chunk out of your glass replacement budget. Services run from $500 for smaller cars to more than $1,000 for luxury models.
Fix Your Car Glass Today
No matter how severe the crack, any damage to a windshield is serious and should be addressed quickly to maintain your car's safety. The sooner you address the issue, the more likely you will need a simple repair to your car glass rather than a complete replacement.
At Hometown Auto Glass, our skilled technicians can assess if your windshield is repairable or if you need a replacement instead. We service all makes and models across the metro Winnipeg area and are ready to get you back on the road safely. If you want the best windshield repair, Winnipeg has to offer, contact Hometown Auto Glass to get your windshield fixed quickly.