Common Causes of Windshield Cracks

You get into your car, and you notice there’s a huge crack in your windshield — but you have no idea how it got there. This may not be as much of a mystery as you think. Most window cracks originate from a chip caused by a rock or pebble that flew up from the highway. Sometimes the damage is so minor that you don’t even notice it at first, but then that tiny chip turns into a large crack. That’s why it’s important to get your windshield repaired as soon as you notice any damage. Read on for more possible reasons why your window cracked.

Extreme Temperature Fluctuations

Extreme temperature fluctuations can add stress to an already chipped windshield. But if you live in Delaware, where temperatures are relatively moderate, that probably isn’t what caused your crack. If you need auto glass or windshield repair in Newark, DE, it’s probably for another reason. That having been said, don’t try to melt ice by pouring hot water on your windshield if there’s an existing chip or crack. The hot water trick doesn’t usually crack the windshield, but if there’s already damage, an extreme and sudden temperature change could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Accidents and Vandalism

When you see the word accident in the context of a cracked windshield, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a car accident, but sometimes the “accident” could be a neighborhood kid throwing a ball or rock that hits your windshield. Or maybe someone was being malicious and walked by and hit the windshield with something. Whether on purpose or by accident, incidents like these happen more often than you think — and the culprit isn’t going to come knocking on your door to confess. If it was a rock, it might still be on the hood of your car or lying in your driveway. Even if you find that piece of evidence, you still won’t know who did it, but at least you’ll have an idea of what might have happened — and you can start keeping your car in the garage.

Improperly Installed Windshield

Maybe there was no existing chip or bratty neighbor kid, and your window really did just suddenly crack. Could your vehicle’s manufacturer be to blame? It’s rare for factory windshields to be defective or installed incorrectly, but these kinds of problems are more likely when a windshield has been replaced.

Imagine getting your windshield replaced only to have the new one crack because the replacement windshield was installed improperly. You probably didn’t even know that was a thing, but people in the windshield repair business can tell you that it does happen. This is why, when you do go to repair that crack, it’s important to go with a reputable company like Delaware Auto Glass that will do the job right the first time!