Do You Need a New Windshield? Look Out for These 6 Signs

A defect-free windshield enhances your vision and protects you from flying stones, dust, wind, and rain. However, a windshield sustains damage over time, some of which an auto glass specialist can repair. In other cases, your car requires a new windshield to preserve its overall structural integrity. See six signs that will help you decide if your vehicle needs windshield replacement.

1. Loose-Fitting Glass or Leaks After Poor Installation

When you get your car from the auto shop, check if the glass looks imperfect or bumpy. If the windshield does not fit the frame, don't drive the car. Also, watch out for glue on the outside or water spots after a trip to the car wash.

Another sign of an improperly installed windshield is a whistling sound when you drive at high speeds. This sound is the result of wind slipping into the gaps left behind by improper windshield installation. 

Unfortunately, immediate replacement is the only way to fix poor windshield installation. In addition to expert installation, the glass specialists will fit your car with a high-quality windshield that can withstand the elements.

2. White Haze at the Edges

A windshield consists of two separate pieces of glass with a thin layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) in-between. Any flying object that reaches your car damages the outer layer. During a collision, the outer glass absorbs most of the impact. If the accident is severe, the PVB layer ensures the glass does not break into shards that can cause more injuries.

Over time, the PVB layer deteriorates and separates from the glass. When this happens, you see a white haze around the windshield's edges that indicates the need for urgent replacement. 

3. Evidence of Pitting

Driving along the highway every day exposes your windshield to tiny rocks and gravel that cause tiny scratches. Similarly, car owners in desert areas deal with windblown sand that causes micro-abrasions on auto glass. 

A few pits on your windshield may not affect your vision, but several of them over time are dangerous. Since the pits are tiny, you may not notice their presence until the damage is extensive. If you drive during the daytime, the pits catch and reflect the sun's rays in your eyes. The resulting temporary blindness affects your ability to drive safely.

Unfortunately, auto glass technicians have no fool-proof repair solution for windshield pitting. While some auto body shops polish windshields with particular rouge compounds to rectify the damage, the quality of such procedures is imperfect. Thus, you have to replace the entire windshield for the best results.

4. Cracks

Unlike pits, car owners can easily identify windshield cracks. While auto glass technicians can repair some cracks, others warrant a new windshield. So how do you tell if your windshield is unrepairable? The first thing to check is the crack's size.

Typically, technicians can repair cracks that are only a few inches long or a damaged area that fits beneath a dollar. Also, some states require that windshield cracks be less than an inch in diameter. If the crack is larger than the stipulated size in your state, you could be liable for fines and fees. 

Additionally, the crack's depth affects the possibility of repair. If the damage extends to the inner glass layer, replacement is the safest option.

5. Impaired Visibility

If your windshield has massive scratches or chips that block your vision, your car needs a new windshield. Sometimes, worn-out wipers also cause scratches that expand gradually. Moreover, windshield chips worsen over time due to temperature changes, dirt, and road bumps. Windshields can also sustain damage during brutal winters.

If the glass does not look right, consult an experienced auto glass technician. Do not dismiss any scratches on your windshield as they can grow into extensive damage that needs replacement. 

Also, keep in mind that repairs made in the driver's line of sight can result in some level of distortion. Therefore, windshield replacement is the best solution for cracks in the driver's vision.

6. Missing Pieces

If your windshield has holes from broken pieces of glass, talk to an auto glass specialist about replacement. You may have seen cars on the road with duct tape, trash bags, or a clear tarp covering the areas of broken glass in the front windshield. However, keep in mind that your car's roof applies a lot of pressure on the windshield.

What's more, the windshield ensures that the roof does not cave in and hurt you or your passengers in the event of an accident. Thus, if there is missing glass, take your car to auto glass specialists for professional replacement. 

If your windshield falls into any of these categories, call our expert team at MS Glass Outlet. Windshield damage risks your safety, so you should consult reliable auto glass technicians for professional replacement as soon as possible.