A Guide to Windshield Cracks and Repair Options

The way windshield glass cracks is very different depending on how the crack forms. Being able to identify cracks and chips in your windshield will help you determine what your repair options are and the next moves to make. When you learn about crack formation, you will have a better idea of how the crack occurred and how the crack may spread in the future.

Follow this guide to learn about common cracks, rare cracks, and elements of a crack an auto glass repair company will look for.

Star Crack

When a small piece of debris hits your windshield, one of the most common cracks to occur is a star crack. A star crack features a central point of impact. The impact happens so fast that the crack branches outward, similar to a star shape. You have no set amount of extensions on a crack. Some cracks may have two while others have six or more.

One of the main issues with a star crack is the way the crack expands across the windshield. As the crack expands outwards, you increase your odds of needing a whole new windshield rather than a quick repair. Cold weather often impacts the spread of the crack, especially if you park your vehicle outdoors and the windshield has exposure to extreme cold overnight.

As star cracks expand, the cracks may start to look more like a spiderweb. Each extension of the crack can branch off into additional segments, creating an intricate crack. Not only does a windshield need replacement at this point, but it can become a major driving hazard on the road.

Bull’s-Eye Crack

When a rock or another hard object hits the windshield, direct contact can lead to a bull’s-eye crack. The crack essentially takes out a circular chunk from the windshield and a grooved circle forms. When the bull’s-eye crack is smaller than the size of a quarter, a glass repair company can often repair the windshield and fill in the crack.

Timeliness is important though. If too much dirt, debris, or oil gets inside a bull’s-eye crack, then repair is not usually possible. Quick repair is key, or you will need to replace the whole windshield. If a crack appears directly in front of the driver area, then the size of the crack does not matter. The windshield needs replacement as the visual hazard can impair a driver's views of the road.

Combination Crack

The impact of debris may cause a windshield issue known as a combination crack. A combination crack includes a circular groove in the windshield, and the chipped glass is surrounded by small star cracks that expand outward. The combination crack typically means the impact was harder and more direct to the windshield.

Due to the impact, the cracks tend to start out with a wider spread and can spread easier across the windshield. Unless the crack is extremely small, the bigger impact typically means the whole windshield needs replacement.

Edge Cracks

Some of the hardest cracks to notice early on are edge cracks. The cracks will start on one side of the windshield and slowly make their way across the glass, often in a single line that appears pretty straight. The crack may start from direct object impact but are often weather-related, especially if a car goes from extreme temperatures to warm temperatures.

If a windshield is covered in ice and snow, then removing the winter weather debris could also cause a crack to form and expand. With the very edges cut off from view on the car's interior, you may not notice the edge crack until it has grown a few inches. If the crack expands out from the driver's side you may need a full replacement.

If the crack expands out from the passenger's side, you may be able to fill the crack, depending on the thickness and length of the crack. A full evaluation from a professional will give you the best options needed to move forward.

Surface Chips

Some of the smallest forms of windshield damage you will encounter include surface chips. The chips are very small sections of a windshield that have chipped off. Often smaller than the size of a pea, you may not even notice the chips at first. If a chip is small enough, the surface-level damage will not spread and a simple repair will often help fill the chip.

Surface chips can occur when you are behind a large truck and small pieces of debris fly off the truck. Other cars can also shoot up small pieces of rock and gravel from tires to create the chips.

For all of your windshield needs, contact us at MS Glass Outlet. We will help diagnose and repair your windshield while working with auto insurance companies to help cut costs.