What is a cracked windscreen? What to do when you have a cracked windscreen? Why you should use Chips Ahoy Windscreens to help get you safely back on the road.
A cracked windscreen is a common problem that can affect any vehicle and is most likely to happen more than once in our lifetime of driving. A cracked windscreen can be caused by a multitude of factors, such as flying debris, hail, temperature changes, or vandalism. A cracked windscreen can impair your vision, compromise your safety, and reduce the value of your vehicle. Therefore, it is important to address this issue as soon as possible. Not only this, but did you know that according to the UK Law – www.gov.uk, it is considered a motoring offence to drive with a cracked windscreen, and if stopped, you could receive a fine and gain 3 points on your license as this is considered as driving your car in a dangerous condition- it’s better to get booked in now to save yourself the money and hassle.
How a Cracked Windscreen Can Cause Future Damage to Your Car?
The main function of a windscreen is to protect you and your passengers from the elements, such as wind, rain, dust, insects, and debris. It also supports the roof of your car and helps to maintain the airbag system. A crack in the windscreen can weaken its ability to perform these functions and expose you to various risks.
Some of the potential future damage that a cracked windscreen can cause are:
– Reduced visibility: A crack in the windscreen can obstruct your view of the road and other vehicles, especially if it is in your line of sight or if it reflects sunlight or headlights. This can increase your chances of getting into an accident or missing important road signs or signals.
– Water leakage: A crack in the windscreen will not allow for water to seep into your car, due to the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) laminated sheet on your windscreen. However, if you have a broken seal this is something you will become susceptible to- especially during heavy rain or when you wash your car. This can damage the interior of your car, such as the upholstery, electronics, and carpet. It can also cause mould and rust to form, which can affect the health and performance of your car.
– Structural failure: A crack in the windscreen can reduce the strength and stability of your car’s frame, especially in the event of a collision or rollover. The windscreen acts as a barrier that prevents the roof from collapsing or the passengers from being ejected. A crack in the windscreen can compromise this barrier and increase the severity of injuries or fatalities.
– Airbag malfunction: A crack in the windscreen can interfere with the proper deployment of the airbags, which are designed to cushion you and your passengers from impact. The windscreen acts as a backstop that prevents the airbags from inflating too far or too fast. A crack in the windscreen can alter this backstop and cause the airbags to deploy incorrectly or not at all.
– Higher repair costs: A crack in the windscreen can worsen over time due to temperature changes, vibration, pressure, and moisture. This can make the crack larger, deeper, or more complex, which can make it harder and more expensive to repair or replace. If you delay fixing a cracked windscreen, you may end up paying more than you would have if you had addressed it sooner.
What should you do when you notice you have a cracked windscreen?
The first thing you should do when you notice a crack on your windscreen is to assess the severity of the crack and location of the damage. Is the cracked windscreen in your eyeline? If so, this needs to be fixed instantly. What type of cracked windscreen do you have? Is it a stone chip? A hairline crack? A bullseye (when the crack is a circular shape with a darker centre)? Or a star break?
Depending on the size, shape, and depth of the crack, you may be able to contact us to repair it, using resin to restore the windscreen’s natural structure, or you may need to replace the entire windscreen if this cracked windscreen is beyond repair. Generally, if the crack is smaller than a £1 coin, it can be repaired. However, if the crack is larger, deeper, or near the edge of the windscreen, it may require a full windscreen replacement.
Should I use a professional or try to fix my cracked windscreen myself?
The next thing you should do is to contact a professional windscreen service provider, this is where we come in. Although there are many ‘self-repair kits’ on the internet for a cracked windscreen. You should not attempt to fix the crack yourself, as this may worsen the damage or compromise the quality of the repair- this also can result in further work needed when you contact a professional after attempting to repair a crack yourself. As a professional windscreen service provider, we have the right tools, materials, and expertise to handle any type of cracked windscreen and we are able to restore your windscreen to its original condition.
This is where Chips Ahoy Windscreens comes in. We are a leading windscreen service provider with over 200 years of combined experience in the industry. We offer fast, reliable, and affordable windscreen repair and replacement services for all types of vehicles, cars, vans, super cars- you name it, we’ve done it! We use high-quality glass and resin that meet or exceed the original manufacturer’s specifications.
We understand that a cracked windscreen can be a hassle and an inconvenience. That’s why we offer mobile service that can come to your location and fix your cracked windscreen on the spot, instantly. We are available to contact 7 days a week and can accommodate your schedule with competitive prices.
Don’t let a cracked windscreen ruin your day, put your safety at risk or be the reason for 3 points on your licence and a hefty fine. Contact us today and let us take care of your cracked windscreen problem. We guarantee that you will be satisfied with our service and our results.