Windshields tend to get taken for granted, but they help you to see clearly so that you can drive safely. They’re also pretty strong, so they can stand up to the wear and tear of being right out there in the thick of things. Del Hatt Automotive warns that there are some ways your windshield can become damaged and even completely broken, however. Here’s what they are.
Car Accidents
One of the most common reasons people experience windshield damage is that they’ve been in an automobile accident. Not all car wrecks are going to affect the windshield, of course, but when they do, it’s a problem you need to get fixed right away. Even if you think your windshield is fine after an accident, have it checked just in case. It helps support your auto’s body.
Road Debris
As you’re driving down the road, you might hear a ping or knock occasionally directly in front of you. That’s usually debris kicked up by the tires of the vehicle in front of you. If the other driver is going fast enough and the debris hits just right, you might find that you’ve got a big ding or crack in your windshield that can spread over time and become a larger problem.
Storm Damage
Storms can get pretty violent here in Poughkeepsie, NY, even picking up objects in severe cases and hurling them through the air. Even so, hail, tree limbs, and other storm debris can do some serious damage to your car’s windshield. If your car is outside during a storm, give it a quick once-over when the storm is over to see if you’ve got storm-related windshield damage.
Installation Errors
Every once in a while, you might find that your windshield is broken or cracked, but nothing happened that you know of. This can happen if you’ve had your windshield replaced and it was installed incorrectly. In rare occurrences, this can even happen straight from the factory if the windshield itself has a manufacturing defect or it wasn’t installed correctly.
Extreme Temperature Differences
When it’s really cold outside and you’ve got the heat on inside the car, those temperature differences can be enough to crack the glass. This can also happen if you go with the bad advice of using hot or boiling water to get ice off the windshield. Glass can hold up to quite a bit, but it can only handle so much in terms of pressure variation that fluctuates with temperatures.
If your windshield is in bad shape, we can help at Del Hatt Automotive in Poughkeepsie, NY. Give us a call and we can get you set up with an appointment to get your windshield repaired quickly and professionally.
