Damaged Windshield? Beginners Guide to Auto Glass Repair Options

When your windshield is damaged, it’s much more than an issue with how your vehicle looks, it presents a serious safety hazard. The smallest of chips or cracks can compromise the structural integrity of your vehicle. Damage to the windshield can also impair visibility, not to mention even small chips get bigger over time. 

Since you found your way here it’s safe to assume you’re new to windshield repair. This guide will walk you through the common repair options that are available to you. 

Assessing Windshield Damage

Before getting into repair options, it’s essential to evaluate the type and extent of the damage. When a windshield is damaged, it typically falls into one of three categories:

1. Chips

Chips are small, shallow divots caused by debris impact. They can happen when driving or when your vehicle is parked in the street. 

2. Cracks

Cracks are longer lines that spread. They can be short and can extend across the windshield. Cracks range from a few inches to several feet.

3. Combination Damage

Just as the title suggests, this type of damage is a mix of chips and cracks.

When assessing the damage to your windshield it’s important to pay attention to the size, depth, and location. This information will be especially important to the auto glass service you hire. This assessment of the damage will determine whether your windshield can be repaired or if you will need a full replacement. 

Hiring a Professional Windshield Repair Service

While DIY options are available, we highly recommend contacting a professional auto glass service to repair your damage. You risk making a mistake that can lead to dangerous and expensive consequences. You may also do more damage and turn a simple repair job into a full replacement, which costs much more. 

When you hire an auto glass technician, they use advanced tools and resins that are superior to DIY kits. These things are important when you’re trying to restore your windshield’s integrity. 

Why Hiring a Windshield Repair Service Is Essential

Technicians experienced in windshield repair will prevent cracks from spreading and help improve visibility for the driver. Also, a repaired windshield will maintain structural support if the vehicle is in a collision. Auto glass repair services typically offer warranties when repairing or replacing windshields. 

How a Damaged Windshield is Repaired

There are several steps to repairing a windshield. 

1. First, the technician will inject a resin into the chip using a syringe.
2. Then they will use a small adhesive patch. This seals the damaged area. 
3. Next, the tech will cure the resin with a UV light. As the light glows the resin will solidify in the chip. 
4. Finally, the technician will scrape the excess resin from the windshield. Then they will polish until the glass surface is restored. 

Windshield Replacement

If the damage to your windshield is too severe or the crack is longer than a few inches, the technician will probably recommend a replacement. Replacing the damaged windshield involves removing the damaged windshield and installing a new one. 

Some signs you may need a replacement include cracks that extend to the edges of the windshield, if there are multiple cracks and chips, or if the damage obstructs the view of the driver. Replacements are more costly, but they ensure your safety and bring your vehicle back to the manufacturer’s standards.

Insurance and Windshield Repair Costs

Most comprehensive insurance policies cover the repair and replacement of a damaged windshield. Contact your insurance company or check your policy to see if you’re covered and if you need to meet a deductible.

How to Prevent Future Damage

Once your windshield is repaired or replaced, try the following tips to prevent any damage in the future. 

• Keep a safe distance from large trucks. This will reduce debris impact.

• Park in the shade or enclosed areas to prevent heat stress.

• Have chips repaired fast, before they spread.

Do You Need a Windshield Repair in the Amarillo or Plainview, TX Area?

If you live in the Lubbock, Amarillo, or Plainview areas of Texas contact us at AA&A Windshield and Glass. We’ve been servicing this area for more than thirty-five years and our techs are experts in the windshield repair field. Plus, you’ll be supporting a local family-owned business when you do.