A damaged windshield is not something to ignore. A windshield with a crack is not only a safety issue, but it's also a good way to attract the attention of a passing patrolman and get a costly ticket. Ignoring a minor chip that's easily fixable only opens the door for an inevitable crack that might require an expensive windshield replacement. By consulting Glass Doctor® of Council Bluffs as soon as you notice a problem, you minimize what a windshield repair will cost.
Once you call Glass Doctor of Council Bluffs, a glass specialist will respond to evaluate the damage and recommend the best course of action. Here are a few of the factors that we will consider.
Size: We can usually repair chips that are no larger than about 3/8 inch in diameter, and occasionally larger chips. Minor cracks no longer than about 3 inches are also usually repairable. For chips and cracks larger than this, we recommend replacement rather than repair.
Location: The location of the windshield damage also plays an important role in whether or not a repair is possible or practical. If a crack has already spread to the edge of a windshield, the repair is usually not possible since it's difficult to prevent the crack from spreading. If a serious chip lies in the driver's line of sight, windshield replacement is usually necessary due to the distortion that the repair can cause.
Age: The amount of time windshield damage has gone untreated is also taken into consideration. For cracks especially, and to a lesser extent with chips, damage that has been left unattended is often beyond repair due to the buildup of dirt.
