subject: When to replace your windscreen [print this page] When to replace your windscreen When to replace your windscreen
If your windscreen becomes damaged, you need to respond quickly and repair it while you still can. Your windscreen forms a key part of your vehicle's structural integrity, and although it is designed to be durable, repairing it promptly when it gets damaged is important - both to help keep you safe and to save you the cost of a replacement further down the line.
Whether your windscreen is chipped or worse, taking it to your nearest repair centre and having technicians assess the damage could mean the difference between a quick repair and more costly replacement, if the damage is left untreated. The longer you wait to repair stone chips and other damage in your windscreen, the more chance there is of this damage spreading to compromise you car's structural integrity.
Small chips in the surface of your windscreen might not pose an immediate risk to your safety, but if left untreated, these can let in water and dirt that can soon worsen the problem, not to mention being undesirable if your vehicle is scheduled for a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) check. Fortunately, repairing chips with resin is usually a straightforward task that can take around 30 minutes when carried out by professionals.
While small windscreen chips can usually be repaired, if the damage passes all the way through your windscreen, or is a star shape spread across an area of more than 30mm - or less if the chip is in the driver's line of sight - you will likely be in need of windscreen replacement. This doesn't have to be a costly procedure though, especially if you can claim the work on your car insurance.
Windscreen replacement needs to be carried out by trained technicians using glass that at least matches the condition of your original windscreen, as well as complying with New Zealand Standards to ensure you car is roadworthy. After carefully fitting your new windscreen and waiting approximately one hour for the glue to set, you should be able to drive away with your new windscreen on the same day you bring it in for repairs.
The older a car is, the more likely it is that the windscreen will need to be replaced as the aging glass becomes more vulnerable to damage which could prove to be dangerous to you and your passengers. If you have an older car and you're unsure about our windscreen, it's best to check with an expert.
