It is frustrating when your windshield gets a crack in it. If the crack is small, you may choose to ignore it or try to fix it yourself. If it's a large crack, you might wonder if you need to replace your windshield. The more you know about cracked windshields, the better decisions you can make.

Here are three things to know about cracked windshields.

1. Know What Causes a Cracked Windshield

If a rock or other object hits your windshield as you're driving down the road, there is a good chance you will get a crack in your windshield. A cracked windshield can also occur if the windshield was installed incorrectly, the vehicle was left outside during a hailstorm, or the wind blew something into your windshield.

One more cause of a cracked windshield is getting into a car accident. In other cases, a small chip in the windshield eventually turned into a crack. No matter what the cause, it's important to repair small chips and cracks right away, since they can easily spread.

2. Know How To Prevent the Crack From Spreading

If you have a crack in your windshield, but you are unable to get it repaired right away, there are some things you can do to prevent it from getting bigger. For tiny cracks, you can apply superglue to prevent them from spreading. You should also avoid parking your vehicle outside as inclement weather and temperature changes could make the cracked windshield worse.

Other ways to prevent further damage to your windshield include shutting the doors gently and avoiding the car wash. It's important to note that even though you succeed in preventing the crack from spreading, you should still get the crack repaired.

3. Know When to Repair or Replace Your Cracked Windshield

It can be dangerous to drive with a cracked windshield. This is especially true if the crack is in your direct line of vision. In this instance, you may need automotive glass replacement services for your cracked windshield. You will also need to replace your cracked windshield if the crack is really large or it continues to spread to other parts of your windshield.

If your windshield is cracked in several different places, you will definitely want to replace it. Sometimes the crack is so bad, it affects the inner and outer layers of the windshield, which is another instance you should choose automotive glass replacement for your windshield.

For more information, contact a glass replacement service like Angeles Collision.