A car’s windscreen is pivotal in ensuring the safety on the road, and they need to be tough and resilient against daily use. If the windscreen of your car is chipped or cracked, should you repair or replace it? No matter the cause, it is essential to replace or repair the windshield after it has been damaged to ensure it doesn’t get worse.
Minor windshield damages come in two major forms including cracks and chips. It can be the form of a star break, bulls-eye, crack chip, or pit. Whether you need windscreen replacement in Sydney or car glass repair in Sydney, here is what you need to know about a damaged windshield.
Repair or Replace
The good news is that minor windscreen damages are repairable. Yes, even long cracks in the windshield are sometimes repairable. However, if the chip hinders the driver’s line of sight or there are more cracks or chips on the glass or the damage is at the edge of the glass, or if the glass is old and covered with tiny divots, it must be replaced rather than repaired. In fact, it is illegal in Australia to drive a car with a damaged windscreen and you will be fined.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the windscreen is the most essential structural part of a vehicle that contributes to the overall strength and safety of the car. This is why it is imperative to repair the cracks before it leads to severe damages.
Whether the windscreen can be repaired or not depends on three primary factors including Size, depth, and location.
Size
The size of the damage determines whether it can be repaired or not. Generally, chips smaller than a quarter, and cracks up to three inches long can be easily repaired.
Depth
This is related to the size of the damage but in regards to how deep the damage is caused into the windshield. If the damage is through the outer and inner layer of glass, it is difficult to repair.
Location
As discussed, the windshield is responsible for up to 60% of structural strength in the event of vehicle rollover. If the damage extends to the outer of the edge, there are possibilities that the structural integrity of the car glass has been compromised. So it is essential to replace with a new one. If the damage is within the driver’s line of sight, car glass repair should not be performed.
When to replace a windscreen?
You must replace the windshield if the above factors are not met. You will want to replace your car glass if
The crack is longer than a dollar bill
The crack or chip is deep enough
The crack or chip is extended outside edge of the windscreen
The glass is tempered not a laminated one
Above all, safety is important. So take your car to the car glass specialist and get it inspected by a professional for windscreen replacement Sydney.