We all know the frustration of getting a chip or a crack in our windscreen. Especially if you drive frequently for work or on unsealed roads. All it takes is one stone or bit of gravel to cause damage to your windscreen. Once you notice a chip or crack, it is important that you get it seen by a professional as soon as possible.
But undoubtedly there are a number of concerns you have about the damage. How bad is it? Does the windscreen need replacing? And, of course, how much will it cost?
Today we are going to discuss if a windscreen can be repaired rather than replaced.
What Windscreen Damage Can Be Repaired Rather Than Replaced?
Windscreen repair is, of course, faster and cheaper to do than a windscreen replacement. As a result, experts like Quality Fit Windscreens try to repair windscreens whenever possible. Some chips can be quickly and easily repaired without compromising the strength and safety of the windscreen. More serious damage, however, will require a full replacement, even if the damage doesn’t look that severe at first. Here is how we determine whether your windscreen can be repaired or whether it needs a full windscreen replacement.
The Type of Damage
In most cases, if your windscreen has a chip, it will only need a small repair. This is provided, of course, that the chip meets the criteria for size and position – which we will touch on later. But if the glass is cracked, a replacement might be required. Even if a crack looks minor, it undermines the strength of the windscreen as a whole. As a result, it puts your safety at risk, as well as the safety of your passengers.
Remember, your windscreen offers a lot more than just shelter from the elements. It also provides around 30% of the car’s structural integrity. The windscreen is also a vital component when it comes to the functionality of your airbags. If your windscreen is weak or damaged it can come completely detached when an airbag deploys. This could cause the airbag to inflate over the dashboard and not provide protection to the driver or passenger.
Size of the Chip or Crack
Victoria has very specific laws when it comes to the size of a chip or crack and whether your car is still roadworthy. In general, these laws include:
- The area covered by the windscreen wipers is discoloured, cracked or damaged to an extent the driver can’t see well enough to drive safely
- There is a crack that penetrates more than one layer of glass
- You have a star or bullseye crack over 16mm in diameter or a crack over 150mm in length in an area that impedes the driver’s ability to drive safely
If your damage falls under any of these categories, you could be fined and your car registered as unroadworthy.
Chips are the most common type of windscreen damage. When it comes to chips and crack, small ones can be repaired rather than replaced. They must be no more than the size of a 20c piece. If the crack is directly in the driver’s line of sight, or there are more than three cracks or chips in the glass, your windscreen needs to be replaced. Never take small chips or cracks for granted as they can spread quickly.
Damage around the center of the glass is generally easier to repair. Cracks along the edge of the glass generally need replacement as they weaken the glass.
Position of the Windscreen Damage
As we mentioned above, there are specific laws in Australia regarding the location of windscreen damage and the roadworthiness of your car. Remember, even though the crack might be 140mm long, a police officer isn’t going to get a tape measure out to check. Further, chips that are more than 7cm from the edge of your windscreen and are not in the primary vision area, they can generally be safely repaired. Attempting to repair a chip or crack close to the edge of the windscreen could weaken the windscreen even more, which is why we recommend a windscreen replacement in these situations.
And again, if your windscreen has any of the following damage, it will require a full windscreen replacement:
- The area covered by the windscreen wipers is discoloured, cracked or damaged to an extent the driver can’t see well enough to drive safely
- There is a crack that penetrates more than one layer of glass
- You have a star or bullseye crack over 16mm in diameter or a crack over 150mm in length in an area that impedes the driver’s ability to drive safely
Can I Wait to Get a Chip Repaired Rather Than Replaced?
We’ve all heard the phrase, a chip can turn into a crack. This isn’t just a fun little saying, it is reality. With the vibrations of the road and constant ravel, a small chip can quickly expand into a crack under this stress. As a result, it is important to get it repaired as soon as possible.
A chip is a safety issue, no matter how small it looks. They can very suddenly expand into a crack, and if this happens when you’re driving it could obscure your vision or distract you enough to cause an accident. And in the case of an accident, not only can your windscreen dangerously shatter, it can stop the proper deployment of the airbag.
Further, repairing a chip can take a very short amount of time. Quality Fit Windscreens can get you back on the road within an hour or two of a repair. We also offer mobile repair services, so you can have a pesky chip fixed without leaving your home or office. A crack, however, will most likely need a full windscreen replacement which takes longer and costs a lot more.
Want to know if your windscreen can be repaired rather than replaced? Want the convenience of having your repair done at home or at the office? Contact the team at Quality Fit Windscreens today! We can help you get back on the road faster and safer!