Top 5 Most Common Causes of Windshield Damage
Like most car owners, we take the vehicle’s windshield for granted… that is until something happens to it. That’s when most people realize how important it is to have a clean, pristine windshield that isn’t cracked or damaged in any other way.
Interestingly, these issues are more common than you think. Stats show that windshield issues are the biggest insurance claim in the USA, making up for 30% of all vehicle-related claims.
There might be times that your car’s windshield develops cracks, spots, or even holes, leaving you confused about whether it needs a repair or a replacement?
To understand this, it is essential to know the different ways your windshield can get damaged so you can take the appropriate action. Here are a few ways your car’s windshield can get impaired:
1. Inclement Weather
If you live in an area where thunderstorms and hailstorms are a frequent occurrence, the windshield of your car is at constant risk of getting chipped or cracked. Similarly, storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes can throw debris at your car – which can hit the glass and weaken its foundations.
A chip in the windshield might not seem too threatening at first. However, it can weaken the glass of your windshield, putting your safety at risk. It may also make your windshield prone to a complete breakdown in the future.
2. Car Accidents
Although car manufacturers design windshields with safety glass, they can still be susceptible to breaking on impact.
Even if the damage isn’t immediately visible, the force of an accident can loosen the foundation. Later, even a small push can lead to a crack in the windshield.
3. Careless Driving
Driving behind construction trucks or roads with a lot of gravel can put your vehicle in the danger zone.
That’s because dirt, rocks and other debris can fly off at any moment and hit your car with full force, jeopardizing the integrity of the windshield glass.
Maintain a safe driving distance from large trucks and buses, which give the rocks more time to fall in the space between the two vehicles.
4. Improper Care
It can be frustrating to wake up on cold winter morning to find out that your car is covered in snow. You might try to scrape off the snow harshly with an improper tool or even a credit card, causing irreparable damage to your windshield.
Avoid using these methods. Instead, hit the defrost button and wait patiently for the ice to melt. Do not drive while there is still ice and snow on your windshield, as it can lead to accidents. You can also follow our guide to properly defrosting your windshield.
5. Vandalism
Cars have often been easy targets of vandalism and theft. In fact, car vandalism has increased by 37% in the last three years, with 210,000 vehicles suffering criminal damages like smashed windows, sunroofs , even broken windshields.
The damage to your windshield during protests, however, depends on the force with which your car is hit. Either way, it leads to cracks or sometimes even a completely broken windshield.
In Conclusion
Your windshield isn’t just a piece of glass. It is an essential component of your vehicle that ensures its structural integrity. Additionally, it is also a crucial component of your vehicles safety system. When installed properly, providing peak performance, it works with your vehicles airbag system and can protect drivers from getting hurled out of the car in case of a car crash.
Be it harsh weather conditions or civil protests, take appropriate care to protect your car and keep it in perfect working condition all year long.
Get in touch with us to service, repair, and replace your car’s windshields so it continues to protect you. Contact us today for more information!
