A chipped, cracked or scratched windscreen can be a big problem for car owners, and can even prevent your vehicle from passing its MOT. But what are the most common causes of windscreen damage, and how can you avoid these? Well, here at Red Rose Windscreens, we are Preston’s leading windscreen repair specialists. From tiny fractures, to full windscreen repairs, we can provide a range of repair services to get your vehicle back on the road. And this is our guide to everything you should know about the common reasons behind windscreen damage.
So, what are the most common causes of windscreen damage?
There are a number of reasons why windscreen damage occurs, and the most common causes include:
- Driving over gravel
- Changes in temperature
- Driving with slight windscreen damage
How does gravel cause windscreen chips or cracks?
Driving over gravel surfaces, especially gravel driveways, is one of the number one causes of damaged windscreens. As you drive over the surface, loose gravel can fly up from the wheels and in some cases, this will hit your windscreen. Whether this causes a minor scratch, or a full crack, will depend on the velocity and the size of the gravel.
How do temperature changes cause windscreen chips and cracks?
The hot and cold temperature cycle can allow your windscreen to expand and contract naturally. But over time, this process can cause your windscreen to weaken. This can be made much worse by the extreme cold weather we experience in the winter months. Deliberate temperature changes however can be much worse. Heating up a frozen windscreen with boiling water for example can damage your windscreen by changing the temperature too quickly.
How can driving with damage causes windscreen chips and cracks?
If your windscreen has already been damaged, but this hasn’t been noticeable or size-able, continuing to drive can cause even more damage. A small chip for example can easily spread into a larger crack because of vibrations from the road when driving. So while it may look like your windscreen damage appeared from nowhere, it is more likely to have been a tiny chip progressively worsening.
If you have a windscreen crack or a chip that needs professional attention, get in touch with the experts today, here at Red Rose Windscreens.