Most Common Causes of Windshield Damage

Posted on Posted in Repairs, Service

Windshield wipers appear to be very durable. However, depending on an array of different factors, your windshield could be just moments away from a nasty crack. Are you at risk without even knowing it?

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Common Reasons for Windshield Damage

  • Road conditions are among the most common reasons for windshield repair or replacement. During a trip last winter, one of our team members found himself in need of windshield repair in Greenville, SC due to poor road conditions. The roads were particularly bad during that time because of a recent ice storm. When salt is put on the roads in order to aid the ice in melting, it also eats at the cement, creating potholes and other hazardous road damage. If you’re in an area with poor road quality, be sure to stay at a safe speed to lower your risk of damage.
  • Poor installation could easily create conditions that lead to a cracked windshield. This is why it’s so important to find just the right auto glass specialist. Especially be sure to ask about their policies in case of malfunction after your service.
  • Aside from the obvious hail damage, weather is not a factor that many people consider. Depending on your climate, the sunlight or heat could be enough for your car to give in under pressure. Weather is also most likely to wreak havoc on windshields if temperatures in your area frequently change drastically. This sudden change from extreme heat to cold, or vice versa, causes your windshield to expand and contract and could eventually lead to cracking. Keeping your car in a garage when at all possible could reduce your risk of such extreme exposure.
  • Driving too close behind other cars, particularly large trucks and vehicles, also puts you at easy risk for windshield damage. This is usually because rocks and debris, either from the ground or some that had previously been stuck to the car ahead, will be projected onto your windshield. When driving at high enough speeds, this is a common set up for disaster.

While you can’t always protect yourself from windshield damage, knowing these key reasons behind it could help you in knowing how to best avoid need for repair; drive with caution on loose or deteriorating roads, choose your auto glass specialist wisely, be mindful of the weather and keep a safe distance from other drivers.