Mississauga Windshield – Repair or Replacement?

Damaged windshields. Whether you have cracks and chips in your windshield, damages compromise the strength of your auto glass. Defects in your windshield are more than just an annoyance, they’re a safety concern and should be taken care of quickly. It’s important to deal with your damages promptly – if left unrepaired, the cracks can expand and interfere with the drivers field of vision.

Repairing auto glass is possible under some circumstances, provided the crack or chip is small enough. It involves injecting the damaged area with special resins, and it can be useful in helping prevent further spreading of the damages. If the crack or chip is in the driver’s side of the windshield, replacement is the only sure option to ensure that the field of vision isn’t compromised.

Temperature, weather and humidity all play a factor in the spread of cracks and chips – extreme weather conditions, either hot or cold, can increase the rate that the damages spread. Windshield repair facilities are all over, and you can try your luck with repairs – they’ll do their best to fix your cracks and chips, but there is never a guaranteed outcome and the windshield integrity is never the same on a repaired windshield versus a new one.

It is recommended that replace your auto glass, not have it repaired under the following circumstances (although replacement is always a better option for safety and security reasons):

– a bullseye or half-moon greater than 2.5 cm in diameter
– a combination break with either break exceeding 10 cm x 7 cm
– a start break exceeding 10 cm x 7 cm
– a crack longer than 35 cm
– damage penetrating both layers of laminated glass
– damage with three or more extended long cracks
– damage or crack contaminated by chemicals which inhibit repair
– damage or crack on the inside layer of glass
– damage or crack that is dirty
– damage or crack in a heated wiper rest area
– damage or crack in a fully heated windshield
– damage with pit size larger than 1 cm
– damage with pit depth to the laminate
– edge cracks that intersect more than once with an edge
– stress cracks

If you need a windshield replaced, the only real option is to contact an auto glass replacement shop. Many auto glass shops, including Action Auto Glass in Mississauga, offer mobile service – they’ll come to you to replace your damaged glass.

Be wary of cheap discount windshield replacement options, they are often using substandard, imported glass that isn’t as strong as OEM auto glass. Discount prices are usually a reflection of inexpensive, unreliable materials. Before you put your car in to be fixed, it’s a good idea to question your auto glass shop about the quality of glass and what your options are before you have the work done.

In the end, what’s important is that you don’t ignore the damages in your windshield. They need to be taken care of promptly and by a reputable auto glass or windshield replacement facility.

If you’re in Mississauga of the surrounding area, contact Action Auto Glass for a free estimate on windshield repair or replacement. At Action Auto Glass, we take pride in our ability to service our customers in a professional and timely manner. Our installation technicians are committed to friendly and courteous service, quality and professional installations, honest and transparent communications. Call us at 647-724-3385.