A cracked windshield, no matter its severity, is unsafe. It’s only a matter of time before the crack or chip spreads and compromises the structural integrity of your vehicle. That’s why you should replace or repair the damage when you notice it. Pay attention to several of the common cracks like the ones below.

7 Windshield Cracks to Look Out For

1. Chip or Stone Break

Among the frequently seen windshield damage is the chip or stone break. Sometimes called a ding, it occurs when solid objects like road debris or rock hit the windscreen with so much impact, resulting in a tiny piece of glass to come off.

2. Bull’s Eye or Half-Moon

While similar to a chip, the bull’s eye is much larger in diameter. It also has a circular pattern, taking after the object that struck the glass. Another variation of this is the half-moon, which appears semi-circular in shape.

3. Combination Break

When several cracks and chips occur in one part of the windscreen, this is called a combination break. A cracked windshield with this kind of damage is repairable, especially if the breaks are shallow and small; otherwise, full replacement is necessary.

4. Star Break

As its name implies, a star break is a series of cracks in a starburst pattern. There’s a single point of impact from which short cracks lead away and encircle, resembling a star at a distance.

5. Edge Crack

Another common type of damage, this crack derived its name from its origin—the edges of your windshields. An edge crack usually starts within two inches from the ends and can be as long as 12 inches. When this damage shows up on your cracked windshield, you should have it changed rather than repaired.

6. Floater Crack

A floater crack shows up in the middle of a windshield and is slightly different from its edge counterpart. It has to appear more than two inches away from each of the edges to classify it as such. Deep and long floater cracks cannot be repaired, so have your cracked windshield replaced.

7. Stress Crack

Windshields weaken over time, and extreme temperature fluctuations will speed up the process. The sudden change in temperature—from hot to cold or vice versa—stresses the auto glass, causing it to crack. This damage appears in a nearly straight line but doesn’t have any dips or pits on it.

 

Whatever type of crack you have on your windshield, head over to Capital Auto Glass for professional auto glass repairs. Located in Lincoln, NE, they offer a range of quality services covering all sorts of broken and cracked windshields. They specialize in windshield and car window replacements. Request a quote on windshield installation via their website or call (402) 421-6653 to set an appointment.