Unfortunately, having your windshield damaged is a fairly common occurrence. Sometimes the damage is minor and sometimes it is severe; knowing the difference between the two is important. If you find a chip or crack in your windshield, Glass Doctor® of Finger Lakes will recommend windshield repair or replacement. To determine what service will better suit your windshield, they consider a few factors.
Size: Windshields endure an enormous amount of stress when driven down the road. For this reason, even a crack as short as three inches long or a chip of a mere 3/8 inch diameter can turn into a serious problem.
Location: Similarly, the enormous stresses that continually buffet windshields are not evenly distributed. Chips and cracks near the edges of the glass suffer considerably more motion and therefore are more inclined to spread rapidly.
Timespan: Mother Nature will quickly force dirt, grime, and other debris into any chip or crack thus limiting the driver's vision and weakening the structure of the glass. Both conditions are highly problematic.