One of the most asked questions we get is whether to repair or replace a damaged windscreen.
A windscreen is pivotal to road safety, holding the car’s structure together. Despite constant improvements in glass technology, windscreens inevitably degrade over time due to their exposure to road debris. All it takes is for one loose stone, or some other impact, and you could be left with a damaged windscreen. So should you repair or replace a damaged windscreen?
Types of windscreen damage
Windscreen damage comes in a variety of sources and knowing which one requires a replacement or repair is not as clear cut as one would think. As obvious as it may be, a collision with another vehicle will require more care to your windscreen than a small rock hitting the glass as you’re driving. The importance is knowing the difference between a chip and a crack, and then leaving the rest up to the windscreen repair and replacement experts.
A chip is caused by an impact breaking away a portion of the glass layer. Chips can more often than not be repaired if they are small enough, usually if they’re less than 40mms long. Whilst small chips may not be a huge concern, they can often turn into full-blown cracks if you don’t attend to them immediately. Unlike a chip, a crack is when a single piece of glass has begun to fully separate. Cracks always grow over time, especially with regular exposure to the hot rays of the sun and the everyday stress that your vehicle takes while on the road.
When should you repair your windscreen?
Windscreen repairs are easy, fast and provide a cheaper alternative to getting a replacement. A windscreen’s specialist’s ability to repair damage will depend on many factors, such as whether it’s a chip or crack, the location, the size and the quantity. To avoid a replacement, you should always repair a crack as soon as possible to prevent it from expanding.
At Novus Mitcham, we always repair first, and replace when necessary. That means that we will do everything we can to repair your windscreen, providing it is safe to do so, and replace it as a last resort. Thanks to our cutting-edge technology backed by more patents than any other repair and replacement company, we can make this possible.
Can I wait to replace my windscreen?
The simple answer is no. If the crack impedes your vision as the driver, it is actually illegal to take your car out on the road. That’s why you should let our windscreen technicians inspect it as soon as possible. It’s important to note that the closer the damage is to the edge of your windscreen, the higher the chance that the damage will become a safety hazard in the future. Chips and cracks in that location reduce the strength and integrity of the windscreen, which is something you should avoid at all costs.
Knowing whether to repair or replace a damaged windscreen should be left to the professionals, so if you have a chip or crack, get in touch with us as soon as possible!
