Everything You Need to Know About Car Window Repair

Many car owners focus only on the condition of the windshields; however, the vehicle's side windows are equally important and contribute to the safety of the passengers. Window damage can be dangerous if it affects the vision or makes it difficult to focus on driving. Some people get tempted to delay the repairs if the damage is minor. However, knowing that even a cracked and chipped window can be risky is crucial. In some places, the car owner can get ticketed if the police find the broken window unsafe.

Here's a look at everything you need to know about car window repair:

What to do if the car window doesn't roll up or down

It is the window regulators which help in raising or lowering the car windows. Irrespective of whether the windows are powered by buttons or old-school ones, they will experience wear and tear and might eventually stop working from excessive usage or ageing. There can also be other common reasons for the window regulator to fail, such as faulty switches, broken cables, damaged window tracks, worn-out pulleys, cable lines, exposure to moisture, etc. 

A professional technician at the local auto glass shop can diagnose the problem. Though a window not rolling up or down might not seem an urgent issue when the window is already rolled up, a broken window might interfere with the ability of passengers to get out of the car in case of an accident. Thus, it's essential not to delay the repairs.

What must be done when a car window gets damaged or shattered?

The damage will likely spread over time if the car window has minor cracks or chips. This can lead to expensive repairs and, later on, a complete auto glass replacement.

Weather can also contribute to window damage. For example, with a cracked windshield, moisture can seep inside and drip inside from the crack or chip in the car window. A colder temperature can make the moisture freeze and expand the crack further. If the car window is cracked already, the glass is likely to shatter when the car meets an accident. 

Steps to follow when the window gets shattered

• Take pictures of the damage

One of the first steps before the clean-up, especially when the car window is broken due to an accident or burglary, is to document the damage for insurance or law enforcement.

• Connect with an auto insurance provider

If the car window gets damaged because of an accident, natural disaster, or burglary, it will be covered by the auto insurance provider. Some law enforcement agencies file a police report in case of an accident or burglary. After natural disasters, the first responders offer an accident report if a call is made to them within a few days or weeks of the event.

• Clean up the glass

One of the most effective ways of cleaning up shattered glasses is to use a vacuum to suck the glasses from the interior of the vehicle. You can remove some of the glasses but rest assured that the auto glass shop will vacuum the car before they return it to you in the pre-incident condition.

• Cover the window

Once the glass has been cleaned up, you must secure the window to protect the interior of the car till the window gets repaired or replaced. If you need to drive the car before it gets fixed, it is essential to apply something to the window.

This will ensure that the crack doesn't get deep or the glass doesn't end up coming out. It is recommended to use clear packing tape and transparent plastic. It will help keep the auto glass secure until it gets repaired or you reach the technician.

To repair or replace the broken car window

It goes without saying that auto glass repair is a quick and cost-effective solution. It is a feasible option if the chip or crack is really small. As a rule, a chip smaller than the size of a quarter and a crack less than three inches long can be repaired. 

Anything bigger than that will need a replacement! A quality auto repair service can prevent the crack from spreading further. In addition, they can help in hiding the actual damage without removing the auto glass. However, you need to act quickly and get the repair done as early as possible. The reputed repair service centres can repair the glass on the spot.

Otherwise, a replacement will remain the only choice, which will be expensive. However, the crack repair can be safe and permanent if done the right way. 

The above information will help ensure that you get the car window repair done correctly and prevent it from growing so big that it needs replacement.