3 Must-Know Facts About Repair And Replacement of Car Windscreens
A windscreen is a vital part of a vehicle that protects occupants from flying debris, wind, dirt and rain. If a vehicle impacts another or a fixed structure, the chances are that the windscreen will chip or crack instead of shattering. The form of disintegration reduces the danger of such debris affecting the driver or front passenger. Even though windscreens are built to withstand moderate to minor impacts, small cracks and chips can compromise their structural integrity, putting the vehicle occupants at risk. This article highlights some of the things to bear in mind during the repair and replacement of car windscreens.
Causes of Windscreen Damage
Windscreens being made of surprisingly tough glass. However, certain factors may cause the screen to crack or chip. Collisions and accidents are the main causes of windscreen damage. Additionally, hard projectiles, such as gravel, pebbles and rocks flung by other vehicles can severely impact your windscreen. Also, bad weather, which triggers all forms of debris to travel at high speed or branches to fall off trees, can adversely affect your vehicle's screen. Another major cause of screen damage is sudden fluctuation in temperature that causes the windscreen to expand and contract rapidly. Defrosting the windscreen with boiling water or parking your car in direct sunlight can affect the structural integrity of the windscreen. Moreover, poor installation can lead to windscreen damage.
When to Repair or Replace?
The standards for repair and replacement of a windscreen differ slightly from one state to the other. However, a good rule of thumb is to repair or replace a windscreen when it has imperfections that impair a driver's vision. States such as Victoria and Queensland require car owners to repair or replace windscreens that have cracks measuring 150mm or longer. Also, a star-shaped crack or "bullseye" exceeding 16mm in diameter calls for immediate repair or windscreen replacement. Note that these cracks should be on the driver's side for the above rules to apply. Ideally, a chipped or scratched windscreen can be repaired if detected early. However, you should always consider replacing a cracked windscreen to make the car safe for driving.
Convenience
A reputable windscreen repair and replacement technician can assess the damage and offer you advice accordingly. You will find companies that offer such mobile services, meaning that you don't have to drive to a repair shop to get the services – technicians will come to you instead. Besides, mobile auto glass repair technicians offer unparalleled convenience for car owners.