How to Prevent Windshield Cracks
If you’ve ever been driving and a rock flies up and hits your windshield, you know the sinking feeling of seeing a crack form. While it’s impossible to prevent every single windshield crack, there are some things you can do to help minimize the chances. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what causes windshield cracks and how to prevent them. We’ll also talk about what to do if you already have a crack in your windshield.
It’s no secret that windshield cracks can be a real pain. Not only do they obstruct your view while driving, but they can also lead to more serious problems down the road. In this blog post, we’ll outline some tips on how to prevent windshield cracks from happening in the first place. Read on for more information!
Seven Reasons That Causes Windshield Cracks
1. Subpar Installation:
A windshield’s strength is compromised because of poor installation. There are many moving pieces to the glass, and it must be perfectly aligned for everything to fit together in harmony. When corners aren’t cut, that means that the adhesive isn’t applied correctly, and the windshield replacement diverts from manufacturer specifications.
2. Faulty Installation:
Although this may seem like a minor problem, it is still vital to your safety. Faulty installation can lead to all sorts of issues- hairline cracks, stress fractures, leaks, and more. These issues are dangerous to you because they compromise the windshield’s integrity.
3. Temperature Changes:
If the windshield is too hot or too cold, it can cause stress and strain on the glass. When you’re driving, and your car heats up, the window expands and becomes weakened. If your window is either too cold or too hot, that changes its shape rather than remaining flat, which causes cracks to form.
4. Pressure Changes:
The windshield is constantly being impacted by air pressure. If you drive up a hill or have any depression in your road, it creates pockets of air that put pressure on the glass. This builds up and is released when you go back down the hill. When this happens, the flat area that the air was pushed onto experiences a vacuum, and it causes a crack.
5. Tree Limbs:
If there is a tree in the direct vicinity of your windshield, then you risk cracks. When a tree limb falls and hits the glass, it’s most likely going to cause some damage and leave behind an ugly scar for everyone to see. It might sound like common sense, but you should avoid parking under trees with branches that are too close to your car.
6. Flying Debris:
If you’re driving along and a rock, cigarette butt, or anything else falls onto the windshield, it can cause damage. The object’s size doesn’t matter because even a small piece of gravel striking the glass at high speed can do some serious harm.
7. Poor Glass Quality:
It might not be up to par with the original manufacturer’s windshields if you buy an aftermarket windshield. This means it won’t fit together correctly or stay as long as the OEM parts are always better than their counterparts. Unfortunately, there is no telling how long aftermarket products will last. Sometimes you can be lucky, but other times the product is faulty, and that’s all there is to it.
10 Effective Ways on How to Prevent Windshield Cracks
1. Be Aware of the Problem:
Most windshield chips and cracks happen because people aren’t aware of how vulnerable their windshield is. You can prevent a lot of minor damages to your windshield by simply being careful when you drive and knowing the dangers that exist.
2. Keep It Clean:
A dirty windshield can cause all kinds of problems such as glare, bad visibility, and water damage. To avoid all of these problems, make sure that your windshield stays clean at all times. Some suction cups for cleaning work better than others, so try to find the best ones you can for this purpose.
3. Keep It Waxed:
Keeping your windshield pleasant and shiny will not only look good but will help to prevent dangerous UV rays from reaching your car’s interior. Of course, the best way to keep your windshield shiny is to wax it regularly. Most car washes offer this service, but if you want to do it yourself, make sure that the wax or polish you use doesn’t contain any abrasives that could damage your windshield.
4. Avoid Parking in the Shade:
Parking in the Shade can cause problems for two reasons. The first is that the temperature will be hotter than it would otherwise, which can cause your windshield to crack or chip. The second reason is that there may be more moisture in the air, which will condense on your windshield when you start your car and run the defroster.
5. Lookout Behind You:
When you’re parking your car, look behind you before opening the door. If there’s anything on the ground that could crack your windshield or chip it, then take care of it first. For example, if something falls out of the sky onto your car and leaves a small scar on your windshield, you’ll be able to see it every time you drive until the windshield is replaced.
6. Be Careful With Your Keys:
Dropping your car key on your windshield can cause a crack that prevents you from seeing clearly out of that side of your window. Unfortunately, this often happens at night, or when visibility is extremely poor, so it’s important to be extra careful. Please don’t put your key in your back pocket, because you could sit on it! Also, make sure that the key doesn’t rub against or scratch your windshield when you put it away.
7. Take Care of Any Cracks:
If you ever notice a crack starting to form in your windshield, then take immediate action. The danger with small chips is that they can quickly turn into large cracks, so it’s essential to nip this problem in the bud. Some people are skeptical about windshield repair, but you don’t have much of a choice when your windshield is chipped.
It would help if you fixed that crack right away, or you could lose control of your car while driving at high speeds.
8. Carry Your Cell Phone Responsibly:
Dropping your cell phone on your windshield can cause a crack, especially if it lands directly in the middle of the glass. If you want to be careful about this, always put your cell phone away before shifting into gear; don’t take any chances! Also, make sure that your windshield has a protective film to prevent any damage or cracks from occurring.
9. Don’t Hit the Brakes:
If you suddenly slam on your breaks, then you could cause a significant crack in your windshield. This is especially true if any dirt or debris gets kicked up into it. So when driving fast, always make sure that you’re aware of your surroundings and keep an eye out for any debris that could fly into your windshield.
10. Drive Safely:
The best way to prevent damage to your windshield is by driving carefully at all times because even little mistakes can cause cracks or chips in the glass. On the other hand, if you’re extra careful, you should never have to worry about this problem.
5 Tips to Stop a Windshield Crack from Spreading
Here are some tips and suggestions on how to prevent windshield cracks.
1. Seal It Up:
If you need to prevent the crack from spreading, applying some clear sealer can do the trick. It is essential to use a quality adhesive windshield sealant since they are made of strong rubber and work in any weather condition.
2. Cover It Up:
If you need to prevent a crack from spreading or becoming bigger, then you can apply some masking tape over it and let it sit for at least 12 hours. That tape will hold back any dirt and moisture that might get in there and make the crack worse.
3. Take It Easy:
Don’t hit or scrub the crack with abrasive brushes or rough sponges. For example, if you have a windshield wiper that is scratching the surface of your windshield, then it needs to be replaced.
4. Park Indoors or in the Shade:
Keeping your car in the sun for a long time can heat your windshield and cause it to crack. So whenever possible, park your car indoors rather than in the hot sun. Or you might want to use a windshield display alcove made to protect and showcase your vehicle while allowing it to cool off simultaneously.
5. Avoid Drastic Temperatures:
Take your car out of the garage if you park it there overnight to keep it from getting too cold or hot. If your windshield cracks because of a sudden temperature change, then avoid parking the car in the garage for at least a day to let it adapt before you drive off with it.
Conclusion
Windshield cracks are not only frustrating, but they can also be dangerous. It would help if you got your windshield repaired at the first sign of a crack to avoid further damage. In addition, you can prevent cracks in your windshield by keeping these tips in mind.
If you want to know more about the science behind why this is, read our blog post on how to prevent windshield cracks! With just a few simple steps and some knowledge of how the sun’s rays affect glass, you should be able to keep your car looking brand new for years to come.
If you’re interested in trying any of these tips to prevent windshield cracks, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our specialists. We’d love to help!
