Most Common Types of Crack Formation in a Windshield

In your day-to-day drive, your windshield will definitely run into numerous problems. The windshield acts as your frontline warrior, shielding you from dirt, rocks, insects, and other road debris. As a result, they’ve become more prone to damage. While some windshield damage can be fixed, others are severe enough to require a windshield replacement. In this article, we’ll talk about the different forms of cracks that can occur in a windshield.

Forms of Windshield Damage

Auto glass cracks are a problem that most car owners will face at some time throughout their driving experiences. When a windshield is damaged, drivers often wonder if they need to get it repaired or replaced. Learning about the many types of windshield cracks will help you make an informed decision while caring for your vehicle. 

Windshield damage can take many forms and be caused by many factors. Here are some of the most frequent reasons and types of windshield cracks you may encounter on the road.

Stress Cracks

Stress cracks are often caused by sudden and extreme temperature changes that occur without applying external force or pressure, such as loose rocks or things striking the glass. The windshield of your vehicle expands in hot weather and reduces in cold weather. If this occurs too quickly, the glass will be unable to keep up and develop a stress crack. 

It may be challenging to fix a stress crack that begins near the edge of the windshield. The odds get significantly low as the damage grows larger. So don’t waste time; get advice from a windshield repair specialist like OTB Auto Glass Company.

Bullseye

A bull’s eye crack is almost like a chip but runs more profound into the outer layer of the glass. The crack is circular, hence the name “bull’s eye.” It resembles a round chip with a cone in the glass’s external layer. Bullseyes develop when pebbles or debris collide with the windshield at rapid speeds and with great force. Depending on the intensity of the crack, bullseyes are typically repairable and can be quickly repaired by a knowledgeable service technician.

Chips

Chips are the most common type of auto glass damage observed by professionals. A windshield chip is a tiny piece of glass that has separated from the shield. This is usually caused by rocks or other material striking the glass. Professional glass service technicians from OTB can often fill chips if they do not have more significant cracks spreading from them and do not entirely pass through the glass.

Combination Break

As the name suggests, combination breaks occur when many forms of cracks like bullseye, star, and chip can be observed at a single impact point. It frequently creates considerable windshield damage, resulting in glass fragments falling off. Combination cracks are typically too severe that windshield replacement is the only viable option to fix this sort of damage.

Ultimately

Whatever form of damage your windshield has acquired, it is crucial that you seek the services of an auto glass repair as early as possible. They will provide an ideal remedy for your concern and ensure that your windshield is repaired or replaced, allowing you to drive safely once again.

39