When you drive near road construction, damage to your car’s windshield from rock chips is almost unavoidable. Seeing a chip in your windshield can fill you with a sense of dread, as you wonder how much it will cost to fix or replace your windshield. The good news, however, is that many rock chips can be repaired easily, quickly, and inexpensively.
When you find a chip in your windshield, it’s important to get it repaired as soon as possible. Fixing a chip right away is necessary for your safety and also makes good financial sense! The longer you leave a chip unfixed, the more likely it is to turn into a crack that extends across your windshield, compromising the windshield’s safety and protection. Small chips are repairable; large cracks aren’t. The general rule is that chips are fixable unless they are larger than the size of a quarter, are directly in your line of sight, or have reached the edge of your windshield. At that point, you would likely need to replace the entire windshield, which is much more expensive than a simple repair.
Until you can get the chip repaired, you should avoid extreme temperatures, temperature changes, and car washes. (These conditions can cause the chip to spread.) If possible, cover the chip with clear tape to prevent moisture and dirt from entering it. Dirt and debris are impossible to remove and will make the chip more noticeable, even after the repair.
Repairing a rock chip is as simple as calling Jack’s at 859-342-JACK. You can drop off your car at one of our four convenient locations in Northern Kentucky, or we can come to you! (Remember that it needs to be dry and be at least 40 degrees for us to repair your windshield outside.) A rock chip repair typically takes only 30 minutes, which means that you’ll be done and on your way in no time. We work closely with your insurance to handle the cost of the glass repair, confirming your glass coverage and placing the claim directly. We’ll even do all of the paperwork for you!
Once repaired, there is no danger of your windshield cracking further from the rock chip. But what’s to prevent your car from getting another chip?
While you can’t prevent all rock chips, there are a few things you can do to help avoid them. First and foremost, always maintain a safe distance behind other cars—particularly gravel trucks and other construction vehicles. (If you see a sign on a truck that says “Not Responsible for Broken Windshield,” you know to keep your distance!) Rocks and debris are flung into the air by tires, and tailgating will make it more likely that your windshield will be hit and chipped. Chips can also be caused by adverse weather, such as hail. When bad weather is expected, park your car in a garage.
If you do have the misfortune of getting another rock chip, we’ve got you covered! Enroll in our Rock Chip Club, a low-cost, one-time investment to cover future windshield chips for as long as you own your vehicle. The cost of your first repair covers your membership in the Rock Chip Club. When you enroll, we’ll repair any future chip the size of a quarter or smaller for free!
Jack’s Glass has excelled in glass repair, replacement and design for more than 65 years. Jack’s Glass provides repair and replacement for auto glass, and custom solutions forshower and tub enclosures as well as many other residential glass items. We also do custom glasswork for businesses, and proudly serve Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky with locations in Elsmere, Covington, Alexandria and Dry Ridge.
