Never ignore rust developing around your windshield. This is more likely to happen if you drive a used vehicle, and it suggests the vehicle had a previous windshield replacement where the glass was not installed correctly.
Corrosion (rust) can only develop when moisture has prolonged contact with the metal vehicle frame. If you have a significant amount of rust around your windshield, the likely reason is some type of sealant leak. This is not only annoying and damaging to your vehicle, but it can also compromise your safety. If the sealant isn’t holding the glass to the frame as it should, the windshield can detach partially without warning.
Let Surge technicians handle your auto glass replacement. Below, Surge Auto Glass explains the steps you should take if you discover rust around your windshield.
The Leak Test
This is the same principle you’ve probably seen to find a leak in your car tire. Simply get your windshield good and soapy, then spray it with water. Get inside your vehicle and check your windshield all around the edges. If you see any bubbles or water droplets, that’s a sure sign of a leak, and therefore a faulty seal that is letting moisture and elements create an environment for rust.
The Listen Test
Drive your vehicle as quietly as possible – no music, A/C or heat. Do you notice any audible wind noise while driving, even when your windows are closed? This is another likely indicator of a faulty windshield seal, and that will usually require an auto glass replacement. Contact us to bring your vehicle in for an expert assessment.
The OTHER Leak Test
Water will always leave telltale signs of its presence, so you should be able to spot evidence of a leak even if you haven’t soaped up your windshield. Check your dashboard for any mineral deposits or signs of white residue, which are indicators of evaporated water.
Be sure to also check your vehicle’s interior for any signs of rust development. Sniff your upholstered surfaces as well as along the bottom of your door panels. If water has made its way inside your vehicle, you will notice a musty smell and possibly mildew. Replacing the windshield will prevent further water damage, but you should also visit an upholstery professional to repair any interior damage and fight back against mold or mildew.
The Sight Test
You might not hear an air leak or see water droplets when you test for leaks, but there are other ways to track and stop rust around your windshield. Examine the windshield seal for signs of deterioration. You will be looking for red spots around the edge of the windshield. These are a sign of rust formation within the groove of the frame. Check along trim lines for signs of dry rot as well.
Schedule A Windshield Replacement
Last, but definitely not least, bring your vehicle to a reputable auto glass repair shop for a windshield replacement as soon as you possibly can. Rust around your windshield is dangerous as it may create a potentially deadly safety issue.
Every problem has its own unique solution, and that’s true when the problem is a damaged windshield. Below are some of the advantages to consider when you need an auto glass repair or replacement.
Advantages of Repairing Car Glass
Faster: Most minor cracks and chips can be fixed in about half an hour.
Total restoration: When done properly, a repaired windshield should totally restore visibility and durability.
Cheaper: Compared to replacement, the cost of an auto glass repair job is relatively low. It’s also worth noting that car insurance companies usually favor repair coverage.
Fixing a crack in a timely manner will help prevent it from spreading. In most cases it makes sense to repair the damage to your auto glass if:
· The damage is small (about the size of a quarter or smaller);
· There are no more than three separate chips or cracks;
· Only the outer layer of glass has been damaged;
· The point of impact of the damage is at least 4 cm from the edge of the windshield;
· The damage is not withing the driver’s line of vision - just above the middle of the steering wheel, in a space approximately 30 cm (12 inches) wide.
Advantages of Replacing Car Glass
Total structural integrity: Repairs can’t be faster without replacements being slower. Windshield replacement usually takes about 3 hours if the type of windshield you need is in stock. Replacing your windshield is also the more expensive option. Remember that the windshield is designed to be part of the structure of your vehicle. When a windshield replacement is done properly, it is the sure and certain way to restore the integrity of the car. If you have extensive damage or cracks that reach all the way to the edge of the frame, a windshield replacement may be the safest option.
There are a few things to consider when trying to decide whether it’s better to do an auto glass repair or to replace the windshield entirely. The most important factors are the impact that the damage has on visibility and the ability to safely drive the car. Other things to consider are the size, depth and location of a chip or crack. We’ll discuss some of the features and advantages of each approach.
Let’s look at each of these factors and how they might influence your decision. This quick reference guide may help you determine the best solution for your situation. At Surge Auto Glass, we can professionally assess your glass and provide expert auto glass repair or replacement.
Visibility
If your windshield has been damaged in a way that inhibits the driver’s visibility, it poses a big safety risk to you and everyone else on the road. It is also illegal in some places.
Should be replaced if:
The windshield is damaged to the point that it impairs the driver’s visibility. A good rule of thumb is that the driver’s visibility is the same as the surface area covered by the windshield wipers.
Safety
A broken windshield should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Glass is weakened by damage, and your windshield is a key component in your vehicle’s structural integrity. A broken windshield cannot protect you the way it is meant to.
Auto glass can usually be repaired if:
There are limitations to what sizes and types of damage can be fixed, and industry standards that are meant to acknowledge these limitations. These are found in the Repair of Laminated Automotive Glass Standard (ROLAGS) guide published by the National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA).
Auto glass can usually be repaired if:
Auto glass should be replaced if:
Windshields are made of two layers of glass with a layer of clear plastic sandwiched in between. If the damage has penetrated through to the plastic layer or the inner layer of glass, it can’t be repaired. Any damage to the interior layer of glass is will also likely need to be replaced, even if the external layer is intact.
Auto glass can usually be repaired if:
Auto glass should be replaced if:
Position
If your windshield crack is near the edge of the glass it will most likely need to be replaced. Even small cracks can spread quickly thanks to the vibrations of the car and added stress as it travels over bumps and dips in the road, and this effect is the harshest around the edges.
Many vehicles also have technological systems with components that are embedded into the windshield, like rain sensors, automatic braking or other advanced driver assistance features. To ensure these systems work properly, it may be necessary to replace the glass.
Auto glass can usually be repaired if:
For most chips and cracks you should be safe to drive…to an auto glass repair centre. It’s unsafe to drive around with a cracked windshield for any length of time. Your windshield is an important part of your vehicle’s structural integrity. Don’t push it with your cracked windshield. Small cracks tend to grow, and that growth will be accelerated by temperature changes, dirt, and bumpy roads. A crack of any size creates a weak point in the glass. Even if the crack or chip is small, it’s important to have it checked out. You’ll need a qualified auto glass technician to help you determine if the glass can be repaired or if it should be replaced.
Windshield glass is laminated, consisting of two layers of glass with a thin plastic film between the layers. This same construction is used in other applications, and is also called “safety” glass. The plastic film is meant to prevent your glass from shattering into more dangerous shards. It usually breaks into smaller pieces and sticks together.
Windshields are strong – it takes a lot to shatter them, and automakers are rightly concerned about their safety ratings. If the glass does shatter, it is still unlikely that your windshield will collapse into your vehicle or onto your hood. Windshields are affixed with strong urethane adhesives to guard against leaks and noise, as well as to minimize any movement of the glass. Also, because the glass is laminated, the entire windshield generally won’t separate from the frame.
If you’re unsure whether your vehicle is safe to drive to a repair centre, contact an auto glass professional. Many repair centres offer either a tow or mobile repair service.
Surge is proud to be your professional auto glass repair in St. Catharines. Windshields, windows, mirrors and sunroofs - contact us for all your auto glass repair and replacement needs.
