Windshield Replacements: The Role of Heat and Sun Exposure in Windshield Damage in Tucson
High-quality windshields need to be durable, but these components are ultimately made of glass — and that means your windshield is far from invulnerable. Collisions, roadside debris, unexpected hail, and even falling tree branches can seriously damage the average pane of auto glass.
While these issues can certainly lead to windshield replacement, Tucson, Arizona drivers should also understand how sun exposure can damage their windshields. Read on for a complete explanation of the connection between heat and stress cracks and advice on what to do if you find yourself facing this form of auto glass damage.
How Heat and Sunlight Can Affect Your Windshield
Since Tucson is located in the Sonoran Desert, local residents are used to drastic temperature swings. But even if you’re ready to deal with this situation, that doesn’t mean your auto glass is equally prepared to handle these conditions.
Glass can experience physical changes in response to temperature swings — this material will expand in the heat and shrink when temperatures cool down again. Making matters worse, most Tucson drivers use their A/C to deal with the desert heat; as a result, their windshields must deal with hot and cool conditions simultaneously. Eventually, this situation could cause your auto glass to develop “stress cracks.”
As if all that wasn’t enough, the sun itself can cause problems for windshields. Excessive exposure to the UV rays found in sunlight can gradually damage your windshield — especially the plastic layer between its two layers of glass. When that layer starts breaking down, it will grow brittle and lose its shock absorption abilities (increasing your windshield’s overall risk of damage).
Tips on Preventing Damage From Sun Exposure
As you can see, exposing your car to the desert sun can easily lead to significant problems. Tucson residents can reduce their risk of stress cracks and other types of sun-related auto glass damage by:
Parking in Shaded Areas
The simplest way to avoid the effects of sun exposure is to avoid the sun itself. With that in mind, it’s always wise for Tucson motorists to park in garages, under car parking shades, or in naturally shaded areas whenever possible.
Parking in the shade is even more crucial when you have a chipped windshield, as heat can easily cause this issue to worsen. However, you shouldn’t think of this as a long-term solution — if your windshield is damaged, it will need professional attention sooner rather than later.
Keeping Temperature Changes in Mind
As you know, dramatic temperature changes are a significant cause of stress cracks. Fortunately, preventing this form of windshield damage doesn’t mean avoiding A/C use during Tucson’s intense summer heat.
Instead, all you have to do is turn on your car’s fan to get rid of the hot air inside its cabin before activating your air conditioning. By doing that, your windshield can gradually adjust to cooler temperatures — lowering its risk of developing stress cracks.
Carefully Washing Their Windshields
Taking good care of your windshield can help it stay in good condition for as long as possible. However, you’ll also need to keep temperatures in mind while washing your auto glass.
If you pour cold water on a windshield that’s been exposed to the summer sun, this temperature difference could create or worsen stress cracks. Fortunately, it’s not hard to prevent this problem — just wash your windshield in the evening.
What Should You Do When You Have Windshield Damage?
Like any other form of windshield damage, stress cracks aren’t something Tucson drivers can safely ignore. If you don’t schedule an appointment at your local auto glass shop immediately, the issue will almost certainly get worse as local temperatures continue to change on a daily basis.
Depending on the type of windshield damage you’re dealing with, you may need either auto glass repair or a windshield replacement. Tucson-area auto glass shops employ knowledgeable technicians, and these professionals decide to repair or replace windshields based on:
- The size and depth of the damaged area. Windshield cracks need to be shorter than 14 inches in length to be repairable, and they can’t reach the inner layer of your auto glass.
- The type of damage in question. Bullseye chips are usually easy to repair, but the same isn’t true for every form of auto glass damage.
- What section of the windshield has been damaged. If your damage is in the middle of your field of vision, you’ll likely have to get a new windshield. The same is true when you have cracks on the edge of your auto glass, as this could affect your windshield’s structural integrity.
Stress cracks typically start from a windshield’s edge, and they can grow more quickly than you’d expect. With these factors in mind, it’s safe to say that most stress cracks cannot be repaired. Instead, there’s a strong chance that you’ll need auto glass replacement service in this situation.
How to Find a Local Auto Glass Shop
Like any other auto repair job, you shouldn’t trust just anyone to handle windshield replacement. Tucson-area drivers rely on their auto glass every day, and when your windshield gets damaged, it needs to be replaced by a genuinely qualified auto glass shop.
If your windshield has been damaged by summer heat, UV rays, or anything else, keep an eye out for Tucson-area auto glass shops that provide advantages such as:
- Qualified employees. The best auto glass technicians don’t just have one form of certification — instead, they’re both Dow and Auto Glass Safety Council™ certified.
- Affordable service. In addition to low rates, your auto glass shop should be prepared to help you save with promotions and financing options.
- Convenient quotes. A truly reputable auto glass shop won’t leave you in the dark about how much your auto glass replacement work will cost.
- Windshield replacements where you are. At shops offering mobile service, you don’t need to head out for auto glass work — the technicians will come to you.
To get all these benefits and more, Tucson residents choose Max Auto Glass whenever they need to repair or replace windshields. Get started by requesting your quote today!
