4 Tips For Dealing With A Cracked Or Chipped Windshield

Many people think that a chip or crack in a car windshield is an annoyance or an eyesore, but in reality a damaged windshield can be quite dangerous to drive with. Cracked or chipped glass can be quite temperamental, and there is no way of telling when the damage may become worse and impede the vision of the driver. If your windshield is damaged, it is in your best interest to contact a windshield repair company as soon as you can. In the meantime, use the following tips to help prevent a crack or a chip in a windshield from spreading:

Cover with Tape

One of the keys to keeping a crack or chip from spreading is to prevent outdoor elements, such as dust, dirt, and water, from getting inside the crack or chip and putting additional pressure on the glass. A simple piece of clear tape can suffice until you are able to get your windshield repaired. Apply the tape very carefully to avoid injuring yourself or causing further damage to the glass.

Avoid Temperature Changes Near the Glass

When you have a damaged windshield, try to avoid setting your vehicle's heater or air conditioner to blow on the glass. A big temperature change, especially when conditions outside are opposite of the temperatures inside the car, can put a lot of stress on your windshield and lead to further damage. If using the heater or air conditioner is absolutely necessary, set it so it blows around your feet instead of through the dashboard.

Use Covered Parking

You can help protect your chipped or cracked windshield by parking your vehicle in your garage when you are not driving it, and trying to utilize covered parking while running errands or at work when it is available. Rain, snow, sun, and wind can all put a lot of stress on a damaged windshield, especially the weight of snow and the force of rain-- covered parking will help protect your windshield from these elements.

Don't Put Off Repair

No matter how busy you are, try not to put off having your windshield repaired. Having repairs made when cracks or chips are relatively small typically does not take a long time, and your insurance may even pay for it if you have glass coverage. Failure to get the damaged fixed can eventually lead to having to replace the whole windshield, which is a lot more expensive and time consuming than having repairs done.  

Contact a center like Ming Auto Beauty Center to learn more.