Is your windshield looking worse for wear these days? Those chips, cracks, and pits in your windshield glass might seem harmless, but ignoring them can be a costly mistake. Even minor windshield damage that seems cosmetic can quickly turn into larger issues, impacting your safety on the road. Watch for these three signs that it's time to get proactive about fixing your windshield.

1. Spiderweb Cracks Spread

Notice those small spiderweb cracks forming in your windshield? They may seem minor now, but with time and vibration, they will continue spreading across the glass. The larger those spider cracks get, the weaker your windshield becomes. Spotting any spiderweb cracking is a sign that your windshield has suffered structural damage and needs professional repair as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the faster those cracks will expand, eventually obstructing your view of the road and posing a risk of shattering.

2. Chips Become Craters

Tiny chips in your windshield might seem like a cosmetic annoyance, but those chips weaken the structural integrity of the glass and can turn into large cracks or craters over time. Hot and cold weather, bumps in the road, and even using your wipers speed up chipping damage. Don’t wait until the chip has turned into a crater or full crack across your field of vision. Schedule windshield repair at the first sign of any chips to prevent more costly windshield replacement later. Even small chips reduce the strength of your windshield glass.

3. Wipers Struggle With Debris

Do your windshield wipers have a hard time clearing off dirt, grime, rain, and snow? The cause could be pits and erosion in your windshield that you might not notice at a quick glance. Even minor pitting makes it difficult for wiper blades to create a smooth, clean sweep. If your wipers are leaving streaks and struggling with debris, consider getting your windshield evaluated for repair, even if you don’t see obvious large chips or cracks. Those small pits add up to major vision obstruction during poor weather.

According to Insurance Journal, 30% of all automotive insurance claims are windshield-related. Drivers often put off necessary windshield repairs. At the first sign of damage, schedule professional windshield repair, as ignoring small chips and cracks in your windshield will allow them to grow and become more costly. If you need your windshield repaired, call 877 Glas Guy for an appointment.