5 Common Reasons Your Windscreen Cracks

Paul Buchanan

5 Common Reasons Your Windscreen Cracks

A Close-up Of a Broken Glass Window | Perth, WA | Perth Windscreens and Autoglass

Having a cracked windscreen in Australia is more than just a hassle. Depending on the size of the crack you may be on the wrong side of the law. If it affects your visibility, then it is illegal and if you are stopped by the cops then it’s a ticket and a defect notice. Even a small hairline crack on the drivers side can grow into something much bigger and when it gets to thirty millimeters, you are in trouble. A crack from the edge of your windscreen that is seventy five millimeters long or a bullseye crack up to sixteen millimeters wide and you are in trouble.


How Did It Happen.


When a crack appears on our windscreens we usually don’t know how it happened. This is frustrating because if we knew, we could maybe take steps to avoid it in the future. If your windscreen is damaged, you need to get it fixed by a professional. This way you are assured that everything will be done right and the car or truck will pass all necessary roadworthy and safety checks. Let’s take a look at some of the more common reasons why windscreens crack.


  1. It’s Just Too Hot or Cold – It’s Australia guys and the temperatures here can get really high and really cold. If you remember your science classes in school, you will know that things expand when they get hot and contract when they get cold. This surely causes stress to your windscreen and this continuous growing and shrinking will weaken your windscreen over time. Who hasn’t jumped into a freezing cold car or ute and put the heater up to the maximum. It’s warm on the inside which is great, but outside it’s still freezing cold and this puts pressure on your windscreen that may cause a crack.
  2. Stone chips or Loose Gravel – Roadworks are a continuous thing in Australia as we try to make our roads safer. However, this continuous work means gravel and dust accumulating on our highways. If you are sitting right behind a car or a large truck then in all likelihood, small stones are going to be fired up striking your paintwork but also your windscreen. It only needs to be a little crack to later grow into a large one. In the event you experience a large crack that will impede your driving, it is best to get a tow from a reliable company like https://www.executivetowingservices.com.au/, who are reasonably priced. We all know parking the car in the shade protects the paintwork and out first choice is parking under the protection of a tree. This tree however, may have fruit, nuts and small animals and birds and if anything falls, it’s going to strike your windscreen. That cute squirrel might end up costing you money.
  3. Sunlight – You really can’t win. If you park your car in the shade of a tree it might get a damaged windscreen and if you park it in direct sunlight, the same might occur. The best advice we can give is to try to find a well shaded area or get yourself a windscreen cover.
  4. Pressure – Driving your car really fast or placing objects on the windscreen can cause cracks. We have all laid back on our windscreens and looked up at the sky and while it is really comfortable, your weight on the windscreen may cause it damage.
  5. Poor Installation – Always get your car repaired by a proper professional. The slightest mistake in lining up the windscreen or incorrect sealing means that you have a structurally unsound windscreen and will most likely get a crack.

There is only so much you can do to protect your windscreen, but if you follow these handy tips, then hopefully you and your windscreen will be together for a long time. Be careful, vigilant and give the guys above a call, if it’s just too unsafe to drive home. Happy Motoring.

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