Windshield Replacement: When it’s time for a replacement?
In Part 1 of our windshield series, we talked about chips and cracks that are repairable. For Part 2, we’re focusing on that pesky damage that doesn’t quite make the repair cut and warrants full windshield repair.
If your car has a chip or crack that meets the following criteria, stop what you’re doing and book an appointment to get your windshield replaced. There are a lot of risks to your safety as the structural integrity of your vehicle is at risk.
How do I know if I need a replacement a windshield replacement?
- If your chip is over 3/8 of an inch or your crack exceeds 3 inches in length.
- The chip/crack is in the driver’s direct line of sight.
- The damaged area touches the edge of the windshield.
Benefits of Windshield Replacement:
Safety: Windshield replacement will drastically improve the safety of you and your passengers in the vehicle. In the event of an accident, especially rollovers, a large windshield crack could cause your roof to collapse and increase your risk of a fatal accident.
Improved Vision: Large cracks that span the entire windshield or ones that are located in the driver’s direct line of sight may distort your vision or create harsh reflections from the sun. Replacing windshields will eliminate all distortion and improve visibility.
Aesthetics: Sometimes you just want your car to look good and like new. If you’re one of those people, then a full windshield replacement is the right fit. A new windshield means no cracks and instead of the 80% aesthetic improvement like we mentioned in our windshield repair segment, you will get 100% results.
Post-replacement Care
A full windshield replacement takes a bit more time and involves a few more precautions than a simple repair. Here is what to expect in the first 24-hours after your replacement:
- Wait at least 24 hours before going through a car wash. Water sources such as rain, moisture, and even hand washing are acceptable in the first 24-hour period.
- It’s important to wait for the windshield adhesive to cure before driving away. This time-frame will vary depending on the type of glue used, but in general it takes between one to two hours.
- Leave the retention tape on for at least 24 hours after the new windshield is installed.
- Air pressure in your vehicle may cause the adhesive to leak. Leakage can be prevented by rolling your windows down an inch or two in the first 24-hour period.
- Budget Glass 90 day guarantee. If you note any defect within the first 90 days of installation, we will replace it for you at no extra charge. A windshield replacement with Budget Glass also offers a “no leak” guarantee for as long as you own your vehicle.
Ready to book your windshield replacement? Click here to schedule an appointment.
It really is nice to have an article actually break down when it is appropriate to get your windshield repaired and when it needs to be replaced. I especially like that the article brings up how it is bad if the crack is in the driver’s line of vision. After all, auto glass repair tends to warp the glass around the crack, so it if it is right in your line of sight, then it is better to just replace the glass altogether.
Thanks Callum. It can be a confusing topic as you probably already know!
It’s great to learn about windshield repairs and replacements. There is a crack that cuts right in front of my line of sight in mine. It makes sense that getting a new one will get rid of of the distortion, so I need to look into that.
I like how you said that a windshield replacement will really improve how safe it is to be in your car. We have a pretty long crack in our windshield that seems to get bigger every time we go over a large bump. It has been pretty worrisome to us but we haven’t seen any problems because of it yet. It would probably be wise for us to get a windshield replacement there before something does happen though.
I’m glad that you mentioned that if there’s a crack in your windshield and you get into an accident, your roof could collapse and increase the risk of a fatal accident. My brother has a huge crack on the side of his windshield, but he’s been putting off the repairs. I’ll be sure to share this information with him.
I didn’t know that you should get a windshield replacement if the damaged area touches the edge of the windshield. Even if the damage doesn’t garner a replacement, it’s still important to get taken care of it quickly. It can be dangerous to drive with a damaged windshield, so you shouldn’t waste time in getting it fixed.
It’s interesting to know that a large crack in your windshield will present a major safety risk for your and your passengers. My husband and I are thinking about how to fix a crack in his windshield, and we are looking for advice. I will let him know about your recommendations to identify signs of problems with his car windshield.