how to safely handle glass

3 Ways To Protect Your Windshield

Your car's windshield is an incredibly important component of your vehicle. It keeps you safe on the road, allows for clear visibility, and keeps the elements outside where they belong. Replacing a windshield can be inconvenient, so it's best to do what you can to protect your windshield from cracks and chips in the first place. Here are three of the most effective ways to protect your windshield.

Don't Ignore Rock Chips

One very common mistake is to ignore small rock chips that appear on your windshield. These chips are often so small that they don't seem worth bothering with. The problem is that a small chip can easily spread, especially once the weather drops below freezing. 

Many car insurance policies will fix rock chips for free or for a nominal fee. You may even be able to have an auto glass repair company come to your home to perform the repair. A chip in your windshield is easy and affordable to fix, but once it spreads into a large crack, it will cost more. Large cracks also threaten the integrity of the glass and can limit your visibility. For these reasons, it makes sense to fix chips right away. Visit an auto glass repair professional to have them fixed. 

Don't Follow Too Closely

A major cause of windshield damage is following other cars too closely. Cars and especially trucks tend to kick up rocks and other debris. If you aren't allowing enough space between yourself and the next vehicle, those rocks are more likely to strike your windshield and cause damage. Besides, following too closely is also dangerous and can easily lead to a collision if the car in front of you has to stop suddenly.

Pay Attention to Weather Forecasts

An often overlooked yet very helpful way to protect your windshield is to pay close attention to weather forecasts and act accordingly. For example, if you see that a hail storm is headed your way, you may have time to move your car to a garage, carport, or other protected spot, preventing hail damage to your windshield. If a big storm is expected tomorrow, you can plan ahead and avoid parking near any trees since the wind could cause branches to fall down and damage your windshield as well as your car's paint job.

Don't leave your windshield protection up to chance. Simply follow these tips to keep it free of damage for as long as possible.