This post is the fourth in a series on the basics of auto glass, auto glass repair, and mobile windshield replacement. If you haven’t read parts 1-3 yet, I recommend you do before continuing.

Chips, bulls-eyes, stars, and half moons (continued)

There are two main considerations in deciding whether or not these chips can be repaired: size and depth. If the chip is too deep, or if the impact was so hard that it broke through the layers of the laminate, then the windshield will likely need to be replaced rather than repaired.

Likewise, if cracks have spread too far from the area of the chip in what’s known as a combination break (chips and cracks together) then the windshield will need replacing. Finally, if a chip contains road debris or dirt that cannot be removed by cleaning, or if it will obstruct the driver’s view, then the windshield must be replaced rather than repaired.

Floater cracks and edge cracks

A crack is damage without missing glass. If the crack is more than two inches from the edge of the windshield, it is a floater crack, and can be repaired as long as it’s not too large. An edge crack (one within two inches of the edge of the windshield) on the other hand will require windshield replacement since it compromises the structural integrity of the windshield.

Stress cracks

A stress crack occurs without anything actually hitting the windshield. The most common cause of stress cracks is extreme temperature changes, and for this reason they’re not all that common in New Mexico. However, if you were to come out in the morning and see your windshield frozen over, and decided to throw a pot of boiling water on the windshield to melt the ice, you could very easily cause a stress crack. Stress cracks typically start at the edge of the windshield, and generally cannot be repaired. Windshield replacement will be necessary. Of course, Chapman Auto Glass offers mobile windshield replacement so you don’t have to interrupt your busy schedule to get that windshield repaired!

Check back soon for Welcome to the Chapman Auto Glass Blog, Part 5! In the meantime, check out our page on mobile windshield replacement.