What Should You Do If Your Car's Windshield Leaks?

Does your windshield leak when it rains? You don't remember a rock hitting the glass and you can't see an obvious hole or crack. How could water get into your car? If your windshield has a leak, take a look at what you need to know about auto glass and the repair options.

What Could Cause a Windshield to Leak?

Cracks and other similar damage can cause a windshield to leak. Without a solid surface to keep the elements out, your car's glass is vulnerable to the rain, ice, or snow. But this doesn't mean that damage is the only possible culprit behind a leak in your car's windshield. 

Along with cracks, pits, and holes, faulty, loose, or improperly installed rubber seals can result in a leak. To fully understand seal issues, you may need to learn more about how your windshield works and what holds it together.

Instead of the thick caulking you would find around your home's windows, auto glass has a urethane adhesive layer that borders the edges. In combination with rubber molding, this system creates a weatherproof seal.

Leaks can happen if the rubber molding sustains damage or is faulty. This breaks the seal and allows water or other elements to get in. Debris and mold or mildew growth around this seal can also wedge its way in between the rubber and the glass. Poor-quality installation can amplify this problem and other similar issues.

Where Is the Leak?

Now that you know more about what can cause a windshield to leak, you need to take the next step and find the point of entry. It isn't always easy to find the source of a leak without a visible crack or other type of damage. This can make it challenging — if not impossible — for a car owner to evaluate the issue and correct the leak.

Water can travel. If you see a wet spot inside of your car, the leak may be nowhere near the interior puddle of water. Instead of waiting for water or a mark to appear inside of your car, watch what happens when it rains. If it isn't raining, you can set up a sprinkler or have someone else shower your car with a garden hose. 

Look around the border of the windshield, where the glass meets the seal, for possible entry points. If you're lucky, you will see a dribble coming in through one or more spaces. A poorly installed windshield or failing seal may leak at several different points. This requires you to spend time exploring and examining the entire border of your windshield.

Signs of a leaky windshield may include more than just a silent stream of water or leftover wet spot. You may also notice mildew or mold, rust, discoloration, or foggy glass inside of your car.

If you still can't locate an entry point, contact a professional. An auto glass contractor knows what to look for and can quickly find damage, wear, or installation-related issues.

Are Water Leaks the Only Issues to Look For?

A broken, damaged, or failing seal will let more than just water into your car. Breaks in the molding can also allow air to leak in. While you might not notice this issue when your car is parked, you could hear a whooshing noise when driving. This unexplained sound often indicates a damaged seal that requires replacement or a repair. 

How Can You Fix a Windshield Leak?

The answer to this question is that you don't fix a windshield leak. Instead, you leave this job to a professional. The poor-quality installation that may have caused an improper seal or premature failure won't get any better with a do-it-yourself repair job. Unlike your sink or bathtub, you can't just buy a tube of caulk and press it into the border area. This repair job requires specialized knowledge and materials.

The auto glass pro at MS Glass Outlet will need to inspect the entire area and remove the exterior trim. After they locate the source of the leak, they will need to remove any debris or mildew growth and reseal the windshield. If this step isn't done correctly, your windshield will leak again. This makes it important for an experienced contractor whom you trust to reseal the glass. 

The auto glass professional at MS Glass Outlet will need to let the sealant dry. But this shouldn't end your service call. The technician should test the repair to make sure that it works and prevents future leaks. They will also replace exterior trim pieces as needed.

Do you need our professionals to inspect your car for water or air leaks? Does your windshield need a repair or a replacement? Contact MS Glass Outlet and speak to one of the experts on our team for more information on how we can help you repair your vehicle’s glass.