Need To Wait For Windshield Repairs? How To Avoid Further Damage
Posted on: 28 December 2022
If your windshield is cracked, you need to take care of the repairs as soon as possible. If you need to wait a few days for repairs, you need to prevent further damage. This is especially important if the crack is small enough for repairs. After all, repairing your windshield costs a lot less than replacing your windshield. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to protect your windshield until you can take care of the repairs. Here are four of those steps.
Try a Temporary Fix
If it's going to be a few days before you can fix the crack in your windshield, try a temporary repair. A temporary fix can help control the size of the crack. You can get a temporary crack repair kit at the store. Or, you can use a DIY method. Apply a small amount of clear nail polish to the surface of the crack. The nail polish can get removed when you take your car in for windshield repairs. This method won't damage the glass. And, it won't hinder permanent glass repairs.
Take Alternate Routes
If you're worried about the crack in your windshield, try taking alternate routes when you drive. If your town is like most, some streets contain a lot of debris and potholes. Those areas pose a risk to your cracked windshield. You might not know this, but road vibration can put added stress on your cracked windshield. Unfortunately, that stress can increase the size of the crack. Avoid that risk. Take alternate routes until you can get your cracked windshield repaired.
Reduce Driving Speeds
If you can't get your cracked windshield repaired right away, it's time to reduce your driving speed. Reducing your driving speed allows you to keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you. It's not uncommon for cars to kick gravel up while they're moving.
If you're too close to the car in front of you, that gravel could make the crack in your windshield much worse. If that happens, the glass shop might not be able to repair your windshield. Avoid the cost of a replacement windshield. Keep a safe distance between cars until you can get your windshield repaired.
Watch Where You Park
If you need to wait a few days to get your windshield repaired, watch where you park your car. Exposing your car to the elements can increase the crack in your windshield. This is especially true with regard to temperature. Ice and direct exposure to the sun can both cause windshield cracks to expand. Until you can get your windshield repaired, try using covered parking areas. That way, your windshield gets protection against extreme weather.
Contact an automotive glass repair technician for more information.
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