3 Tips For Dealing With A Cracked Windshield While On A Road Trip

Cracked windshields are something that most drivers experience at least once while on the road. Often it's the sound of a rock or other debris hitting the windshield with a crack that alerts the driver. The resulting damage to the windshield can end up being just a small chip, but often a larger crack has formed. A cracked windshield can be dangerous, especially if it affects the driver's line of sight. Small cracks can also grow significantly over time and make the windshield less reliable. For those who are on a road trip, a cracked windshield can be a big hassle. Here are three tips for dealing with this issue.

Have A Repair Kit Handy

For those who are traveling long distances on a road trip, getting a windshield repaired may be difficult. There may not be anyone who can replace or repair a windshield nearby. Also, if it's a very small chip or crack, it may seem unnecessary to call in a professional. This is where having a cracked windshield repair kit in the car can come in handy. These kits have all that is needed to fix a windshield chip or crack on the go. The cost of these kits is around $10 and they are great to have in the car during long road trips.

Call The Professionals When Needed

Sometimes fixing the windshield will be beyond the abilities of a repair kit. In these cases it will be necessary to call in the professionals. Luckily there are plenty of windshield repair professionals across the country. Many even offer services where they will travel to the car in order to fix the windshield, something that is very convenient while on a road trip. Windshield repair on average will cost between $50 to $150 while a full windshield replacement will cost between $100 to $400.

Wait The Designated Amount Of Time Before Driving

After taking the time to have a windshield repaired or replaced, some drivers are anxious to get back on the road. However, it's important to let everything settle in and cure properly before taking the car out into the elements. This can take as little as one hour to up to 24 hours. While this may cause some delays during a road trip, waiting the designated amount of time will ensure that the windshield is safe while on the road.

A cracked windshield can be a pain while on a road trip. Drivers should consider keeping a windshield repair kit in their car in order to deal with cracks and chips while on the road. It's also important to call in the professionals when necessary. Some cracks are too large to fix without professional help and in some cases a full windshield replacement is needed. It's also important to stay off the road until the windshield is done curing and is roadworthy once again. 


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