Glass, Glass, and More Glass

Posted on: 13 September 2021

Not all windshield damage is caused by flying rocks on the highway. Certain weather events can also lead to windshield damages.

1. Hail 

Hail is likely the most obvious of the weather events that can damage your auto glass. Small hailstones can leave chips in the glass, while larger stones can completely shatter a windshield. If the chips are small and there are only a few, then your glass technician can fill and repair them as they would any other rock chip. Large chips or excessive amounts of damage will require a full windshield replacement. 

2. Rain

In most cases, one would never need to fear rain on their windshield, as the glass is ideally sealed into place so that no leaks can occur. Although, in some cases that seal may weaken. This is usually a result of a car accident, other damage to the glass, or simple age if the vehicle is older. Heavy, driving rain may then force itself around the weakened seal. The result is water in the car and a weak seal that isn't safe. Replacement of the seal is needed to repair the windshield.

3. Wind

High winds can lead to an issue called sandblasting. Your windshield is most at risk if your car is parked facing the prevailing wind. Any debris or sand, such as you would find near a dirt road, can be blown with such force against the windshield that it actually etches the glass with small pits. This type of damage tends to happen over time, not just from a single wind event. Sandblasted glass can't be fixed, so the windshield must be replaced. 

4. Snow

Issues happen with snow when there is heavy snowfall. Heavy, wet snow can weigh a lot, especially when it begins to accumulate deeply. This puts downward pressure on the windshield, which may eventually cause the seals to fail so that the glass collapses inward. Sometimes the glass survives and you can have it resealed in place. In other instances, the glass shatters or cracks and you need a whole new window.

5. Temperature

Extreme temperature fluctuations are more likely to damage glass that already has a chip or small crack. As the temperature fluctuates, moisture trapped within the damaged glass expands and contracts, which can make a chip expand into a large network or cracks or lead a small crack to suddenly spread across the entire windshield. Fixing small damages before they expand can save you the time and expense of full windshield replacement later.

Contact a windshield repair to learn more and address any damage.