3 Tips To Help Prevent Auto Glass Damage From Spreading Before It Can Be Repaired
You are driving down the road and a pebble hits your windshield causing a small chip in the glass. This type of auto glass damage is no big deal and can easily be repaired. The problem is, even a small chip like this can quickly spread and cause a crack that extends across your whole windshield. That is why addressing the need for auto glass repairs is such a time-sensitive issue. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to drop everything you are doing to rush to the repair shop. Thankfully, the three tips below can help you to prevent your auto glass damage from spreading until you can get the repairs you need.
Tip #1: Apply Tape To The Damaged Area
One of the reasons that auto glass damage often spreads so quickly is because the strength of the glass is compromised by the damage. You can help to eliminate this issue by providing a bit of extra support for the damaged area. This can be done using some heavy-duty tape. You will want to make sure the tape you are using is crystal clear and will not interfere with your line of sight. You will also want to make sure that the tape is applied to both sides of the glass and that it extends a few inches beyond the damaged area.
Tip #2: Avoid Driving On The Highway
It is always best to avoid driving altogether when your auto glass is damaged. However, if you absolutely must drive your vehicle in this condition, you will definitely want to avoid highway driving whenever possible. This is because the faster your vehicle is going, the more wind resistance your auto glass will encounter. The additional pressure this puts on your glass can increase the chances of it shattering.
Tip #3: Slowly Defrost Your Window During The Winter Months
When glass is heated or cooled, it will naturally expand or contract. When your auto glass is damaged, this natural expansion can cause the damage to spread. To prevent this, you will need to slowly defrost your window during the winter months to ensure the glass does not expand too quickly.
An Important Reminder
While these tips can help you to prevent your auto glass damage from spreading in the short term, these tips do not replace the need to have this damage repaired and will not guarantee that the damage will not spread if you fail to get it repaired. Consequently, you should always make a point of getting your auto glass repaired as quickly as possible.
For more information, contact a local company like Auto Glass International.