When to Replace Glass vs. When to Repair It

April 23, 2020

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand the importance of your car’s windshield. The car’s windshield is one of the most crucial safety features built into your vehicle. It protects your visibility, and it keeps the elements (and more than its fair share of bugs) from invading your car while you’re driving. As such, when you discover a chip, crack or any other form of damage to your windshield, it’s essential that you get it back to working condition as soon as possible.

The only question that remains is whether your fix is minor or if you need complete auto glass replacement in Vacaville, CA.

A chip isn’t always a quick fix

It happens all the time. You’re driving along what seems to be a perfectly smooth road, when all of a sudden, a tiny pebble appears to jump off the asphalt and slams right into your windshield, leaving behind a small divot. You might think that such a little thing might be easily repaired, but you could be wrong.

The closer a chip is to the outer edge of your windshield, the more likely it is that the damage will necessitate a complete replacement.

When a crack is too big

When it comes to cracks, it can be especially tricky to determine if you’ll need windshield replacement, or if you can get by with auto glass repair in Vacaville, CA. You might think that your whole windshield will need to be replaced if a crack begins to form, but that may not be the case. Typically, cracks that are shorter than one foot can be repaired.

The longer you leave a crack unfixed, however, the worse it will get. In other words, what begins as a quick-fix crack could quickly turn into a real problem.

A bullseye is a bummer

When a small object hits your window with enough force, it can leave behind what’s known as a bullseye. As the name would imply, a bullseye looks like a glass chip with a small ring around it. Provided the bullseye on your windshield is smaller than one inch, it can be repaired. If the issue isn’t corrected quickly, however, the bullseye will grow and you’ll be forced to replace your entire windshield.

The general rule

If you’re not sure whether your windshield is beyond repair, the general rule of thumb is this: if the issue isn’t impairing your vision, it can probably be repaired. If a chip or crack is hindering your ability to see out the windshield, it will likely need to be replaced.

Let the pros fill you in

Not sure if you need auto glass replacement in Vacaville, CA? Just make a call to Tom’s Glass Co. Since we opened our doors in 1974, we have devoted ourselves to making sure that every one of our clients is satisfied, each and every time. Whether you need a quick fix or a complete overhaul of your windshield, one of our highly-skilled technicians can help get you back on the road. Give us a call or visit us online today. We can’t wait to help you!