We have all been there before. You are driving down the road on a sunny day and didn't pay attention that you were driving right behind a work truck. Before you know it BANG a tiny pebble hits your windshield. You get home and it doesn't seem to bad. Just a little pip. When you wake up the next day to go to work, theres a crack in your windshield just as long as your arm! Well, we at Gresham Auto Glass are here to help you get back on the road, and understand what happened.
Windshield cracks tend to get longer when not repaired due to several factors:
1. **Temperature Fluctuations**: Glass expands and contracts with changes in temperature. During hot days, the glass expands, and during cold nights, it contracts. This continual cycle of expansion and contraction can cause existing small cracks to propagate and lengthen.
2. **Vibrations and Impact**: Normal driving involves vibrations from the engine, road surface, and impacts from things like potholes or debris hitting the windshield. These forces can stress the glass further, causing cracks to extend.
3. **Structural Stress**: Windshields are an integral part of a car's structural integrity. They provide support to the roof and overall rigidity to the vehicle. When the windshield is cracked, it compromises the structural integrity, and any additional stress (such as from driving over rough terrain or even closing the car doors forcefully) can make the cracks spread.
4. **Moisture and Dirt**: Water and dirt can enter the crack and expand it. Water can seep into the crack, and if it freezes, it will expand and make the crack larger. Dirt and debris can also get into the crack, causing further stress and making repairs more difficult.
Addressing windshield cracks promptly helps prevent them from spreading and ensures the structural integrity and safety of the vehicle. Repairing small cracks and chips is often cheaper and easier than replacing the entire windshield if the damage becomes extensive. This is why it's important to get small chips and cracks repaired before they become larger problems.
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