Emergency Cracked Windshield Repair in Tucson, AZ

Dealing with a damaged windshield is never fun, but some situations involving windshield damage are easier to handle than others. For example, noticing a cracked windshield before you leave for work is much less stressful than having your auto glass crack while you’re on the road.

If you find yourself dealing with the latter state of affairs while driving in Tucson, AZ, don’t panic — just take things one step at a time. While this is admittedly easier said than done, our guide to emergency cracked windshield repair can help.

Dealing With Windshield Damage While Driving

If your windshield is damaged on the road due to a collision (or any other reason), be sure to:

Pull Over ASAP

Attempting to drive with a damaged windshield isn’t just a bad idea — it could have significant consequences. Depending on the type of damage you’re dealing with, continuing to operate your vehicle in this condition could violate federal regulations.

Because of that, you’ll need to pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so. If you’re on a busy roadway, activate your turn signal and head to the road’s shoulder. Then, turn on your hazard lights and make sure the other passengers in your vehicle are okay.

Document Your Damage

Once you’ve pulled over and checked on your passengers, get out of your car and take a look at its condition. As part of this, inspect your vehicle’s other windows to ensure they haven’t also been damaged.

While outside your vehicle, use your phone to take pictures of your auto glass damage (and any other damage your car has sustained). You should also record a video explaining what happened before you have a chance to forget crucial details. This documentation can make it easier to file an insurance claim.

Assess the Situation

After taking photos and videos of your vehicle’s damage, do a complete internal and external inspection of your car to determine exactly how serious the damage is. If your windshield has only received minor damage, you may be able to get away with windshield chip repair. Otherwise, you might need to replace your windshield.

Factors that can determine your auto glass service requirements include:

How deep your damage is. Even if you just have a small chip, you won’t be able to fix it if it’s gotten to your windshield’s middle vinyl layer. When this layer of your windshield is damaged, it’s effectively irreparable.
Where your damage is located. Depending on the skill of your auto shop’s technicians, repair work could create minor visual imperfections. That means seemingly minor damage could make a windshield replacement necessary if it’s directly in your line of vision while driving.
The size of the damaged area. If your windshield chip is smaller than an inch in diameter, there’s a good chance an auto glass shop can fix it. However, that’s not usually the case for larger chips or chips with hairline cracks.
The distance between your damage and the center of your windshield. While you might assume damage far from your windshield’s center is easy to repair, the opposite is true. Damage near your windshield’s edge can seriously compromise the roof of your car in terms of structural integrity.

Avoid Trying a DIY Fix

Are you thinking about “fixing” your windshield with nail polish, glue, or packing tape? Think again — these quick fixes won’t help protect your auto glass until you can visit a Tucson auto glass shop. Instead, they could exacerbate your windshield’s problems or even cause injuries to you or your passengers.

Drive Home

Though you shouldn’t normally drive with a cracked windshield, you’ll need to get home somehow. While you drive, be sure to travel below the speed limit and keep your hazard lights on.

Take the Next Steps Toward Fixing Your Windshield

Once you’re safely back at home, it’s time to shift gears and focus on getting your windshield repaired or replaced. As part of this process, you’ll need to:

Set Up an Auto Glass Appointment

Ideally, you should schedule an appointment for emergency cracked windshield repair right after you get home. By getting this service taken care of immediately, you’ll prevent your auto glass damage from getting worse and costlier to fix.

The auto glass shop you choose for this work should offer benefits such as:

Qualified technicians
Financing opportunities and promotions
Other auto glass services
Convenient mobile service

Know What To Expect

When your appointment arrives, here’s what will happen if you need cracked windshield repair or windshield chip repair:

Your auto glass shop’s technicians will carefully inspect your windshield to ensure it can be fixed.
If they can repair this auto glass, they’ll start their work by cleaning the damaged portion of your windshield.
After that, technicians will put a seal on your windshield and create a vacuum under that seal.
Once the vacuum is ready, they will inject resin into the damaged area.
For the last step in this process, technicians will cure your windshield’s new resin with UV light.

On the other hand, this is how auto glass shops replace windshields:

First, the technicians will remove your old trim with a razor.
Next, they’ll remove your existing windshield, possibly using a large suction cup with a handle.
Then, workers will remove dust, dirt, and urethane out of the pinch weld (the space between your car’s body and windshield).
When that’s done, your shop’s technicians will apply urethane to the edges of your pinch weld.
Finally, they’ll install your new windshield and let the urethane set for a while.

Choose Tucson’s Best Auto Glass Shop

Whether you need a cracked windshield repair or a full windshield replacement, you shouldn’t trust just any shop to handle the job. To get exceptional windshield service, you’ll need to track down one of the area’s most trusted auto glass shops — and Max Auto Glass certainly fits the bill.

Take the first step by contacting us online or calling 520-498-1234 today.