It goes without saying that driving with a cracked or damaged windscreen can be very dangerous and potentially illegal – so if you do have any issues in this regard you would certainly be wise to make sure you have them checked and sorted out sooner rather than later.

But how do windscreens sustain damage in the first place? One of the most common hazards for your car windscreen is debris flying up from the road, whether that’s gravel or stones being thrown up from other car tyres or something falling off the back of a lorry, for example.

This can easily cause chips and cracks in your windscreen and, unfortunately, there’s not a huge amount you can do to prevent it, besides driving with sufficient space between you and the car in front, and being careful when driving on roads with loose chipping signs in place.

With winter just around the corner, it’s also worth remembering that changes in temperature can damage your windscreen, so take care when defrosting your car in the morning. 

You can defrost it quickly and safely by first checking to make sure the wipers aren’t on before you turn the engine on, so you don’t damage the rubber. Once you’ve started the engine, turn the warm air blower on and any heated mirrors if you have them, as well as the air-con to stop the car misting up.

Then clear any frost or snow off the car with a soft brush on the front grille, and then use a scraper and de-icer to clear it properly so you can see and the wipers can work with ease.

Bad weather can also cause damage to your windscreen, so take care over the next few months. If possible, park your car in a garage or cover it with a tarpaulin or similar. And do your best to avoid parking under any trees if it’s wet and windy outside, as stones and tree branches can cause untold damage in high winds.

But even with all these precautions, your screen can still sustain damage, so it’s important to know what to do if you do find a crack or chip somewhere.

Never ignore problems of this kind, as there’s no way the damage can repair itself. Chips can easily become cracks over time so be vigilant and proactive, sorting issues out as and when they arise.

Windscreen damage can result in you failing your MOT so make sure everything is fixed before you take your car into the garage. Even a 10mm chip can result in MOT failure if it falls directly in your line of vision as the driver, so bear this in mind as well.

Looking for a windscreen replacement at the moment? Call Glass Assist UK to see what we can do for you and your vehicle today.