Does Warm Weather Affect Chipped Windscreens?

 Although wintry conditions are the worst for a chipped windscreen, very warm weather can cause problems too.

Just like cold weather causes the glass to contract, warm weather causes it to expand, and this added pressure can make the glass more brittle. This effect is at its worse in intense direct sunlight, so you should always seek out the shade when parking up during the summer months.

Similarly, warm weather causes the air inside the cabin to expand, meaning added pressure on the windows. As the air temperature inside the car increases, the air will press against the glass and put pressure on the chip, especially if the air cavity within the windscreen has been damaged.

One of the big things to remember about driving with a chipped windscreen in summer is the danger of sun dazzle. Sunlight catching the edge of a chip can send light bouncing around the inside of your car, which can be very dangerous while driving. Get a chip repaired without delay in the summer to avoid the effects of uncontrolled sun dazzle.

Here are a few tips on reducing the impact of warm weather on a windscreen chip.

Just like when it’s cold, parking your car in a garage when not in use will keep it cool, reducing the stress warm air places on the glass.

Park in the shade whenever you can to keep the car out of harmful direct sunlight. This is good practice for keeping the paintwork in tip-top condition, too.

Whenever it’s safe to do so, keep a window slightly open in your car, especially if it’s parked in direct sunlight. This will allow the warm air in the cabin to escape, so there’s less pressure on the windscreen.

Use a sun reflector to keep as much heat out of the cabin as you can. These fit over the windscreen inside the car, and prevent the interior getting too hot.

Dry conditions mean there’s a higher risk of stone chips and flying debris in the summer months, so be careful when driving on untreated surfaces or poorly-maintained roads. When a windscreen is already chipped, there’s a higher risk of it chipping or cracking again because its strength has been compromised.

 

Remember the rule of thumb is as follows:

A windscreen / windshield chip less than 3mm (smaller than a matchstick head) does not usually need to be repaired.

A windscreen / windshield chip less than 25mm (smaller than a £2 coin) is repairable.

A windscreen / windshield chip over 25mm is usually non-repairable.

 

Call Us Today

We offer repairs that are fast and convenient. If your windscreen / windshield has a chip we’re here to help. We cover the whole of the midlands – Birmingham, Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Stoke on Trent, Sheffield, Solihull, Coventry, Mansfield, Chesterfield, Lichfield, Cannock, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Redditch, Newark on Trent, Uttoxeter, Stafford, Burton Upon Trent, Dudley, Nuneaton, Melton Mowbray, Bromsgrove.

For a repair that you know will be done right, call Centre Glass today. Call or WhatsApp on 07923 449354 email centreglass@mail.com visit www.centreglass.org