Share:

Many windshield cracks start off with a strong impact, but the type of crack it turns into will determine how bad it will become and how expensive it will be to fix. TJ’s Auto Glass in La Crescent, MN specializes in glass repair and explains that although some damage can be handled with minor fixes, some require complete windshield replacement. Here are the types of cracks you should know before you take into the shop.

Guide to Determining Windshield Cracks for Glass Repair

1. Bull’s-Eye Crack

One of the most common needs for windshield crack repair is bull’s-eyes. These usually result from a rock, stone or other circular object hitting the surface of the windshield and removing a chunk of glass from the surface. If the object has penetrated the surface of the glass one inch or less, it can usually be repaired. If it is any deeper than that it can be a safety issue and you should consider getting your windshield replaced.

2. Stress Crack 

glass repairA stress crack can be frustrating because it’s not from any type of external object at all. Usually, these come from extreme temperatures when your car is overheated or left out in the cold for too long. You can avoid these types of cracks by parking your car in a garage, using a car protector or making sure you scrape off snow and ice regularly during the winter months. Fortunately, stress cracks don’t cause glass to come off the windshield. So the risk of personal damage is very low.

3. Combination Crack

This kind of crack usually includes multiple breaks that with small chips and larger cracks. It commonly starts with a bull’s-eye with other cracks stemming off from it, causing further damage. They usually can be fixed if the cracks do not exceed two inches in length in any direction, but may require full windshield replacement if they extend further than that.

Seeing a crack form in your windshield can be scary, but identifying the type of issue you have can help you determine what repairs you need and how much they will cost. TJ’s Auto Glass has over 30 years of experience helping customers with glass repair and providing quality work to ensure your windshield looks like new again. To find out more, give them a call at (507) 895-1955 and like them on Facebook.

tracking