What to Do When Your Windshield Cracks

Your windshield does a lot of heavy lifting. Built from two layers of glass bonded around a vinyl interlayer, it is a key structural component of your vehicle.

A crack that reaches the vinyl layer, or the interior glass, calls for immediate replacement. Other circumstances that you should book Kia service for include:

• Damage that has branched significantly
• Spread to the windshield's edge
• Sits in the driver's line of sight

Plus, in many Canadian provinces, driving with a damaged windshield, particularly one that obstructs the driver's view, is also against the law.

Windshield repair is the preferred route when possible. It costs less, takes less time, and preserves the original manufacturer seal that keeps your vehicle's structural integrity intact.

Repair is typically appropriate when:

• Cracks are small, contained, and away from the driver's sightline
• Road debris has left a chip or small impact mark
• The damage remains contained and has yet to spread

Replacement becomes necessary when:

• Cracks run long, branch out, or extend to the windshield's edge
• The driver's view of the road is interrupted
• The vinyl interlayer or interior glass has been compromised

A trained professional has the tools to tell you exactly which service your windshield requires. Check out our current service specials and get the right fix at the right price.

A quick internet search for cracked windshield fixes will surface at-home suggestions. These ideas are popular, persistent, and can make a bad situation significantly worse.

• Superglue and nail polish were formulated to bond fabric, skin, and cosmetic surfaces; glass bonding requires purpose-built resin. Applying these materials to a crack can make a minor repair need and turn into a replacement.
• Tape seals in moisture and debris, two elements that accelerate cracking and complicate professional repair.
• Windshield repair kits with resin are a step up, but they are permanent. Once applied, the treated area cannot be repaired again, so it is worth considering carefully before going that route.

Skip the guesswork. Book an appointment with a qualified technician and have the damage handled correctly the first time.