Is windshield chip repair as important in summer as it is during colder months?

Answer from Patrick

Absolutely—it’s just as crucial, if not more so. People often overlook windshield repairs during the warmer months, assuming chips and cracks only worsen in the cold. But here's the thing: heat actually accelerates crack expansion dramatically. Think of your windshield like a ticking time bomb during the summer. Inside every chip or small crack, there's a tiny pocket of air that's extremely volatile. When temperatures rise, especially during the peak summer months here in the Northwest, this trapped air heats up, expands, and puts immense pressure on the already weakened glass.

When we perform a chip repair, our main goal is to eliminate that air pocket. We do this by carefully injecting a specialized resin into the damaged area. This resin isn’t just some adhesive—it’s a high-strength compound specifically designed for windshield repairs. Once it fills the chip, it solidifies, providing a powerful bond—around 150 pounds per square inch of bonding strength—to stabilize and reinforce the windshield. This effectively prevents the chip from growing, preserving the integrity of your windshield.

Ignoring repairs in summer means you're gambling with rapid crack growth, and trust me, I've seen it happen. A seemingly small chip on a hot day can turn into a large, irreparable crack by evening, especially when combined with sudden temperature changes, like turning on your AC at full blast when your windshield is already scorching hot. Many customers come to us shocked at how quickly a tiny issue escalated, wishing they had acted sooner.

This is why we encourage prompt repairs, no matter the season. Taking immediate action not only saves you the cost of a full windshield replacement down the road but also ensures your safety. Your windshield isn’t just a piece of glass; it's integral to the structural integrity of your vehicle. In fact, depending on the car model, your windshield could account for up to 85% of the vehicle’s structural strength. A damaged windshield weakens your car's overall safety and puts you and your passengers at increased risk during accidents.

So yes, summer chip repairs are absolutely essential. Think of it as proactive maintenance, just like you wouldn’t ignore oil changes or brake checks. It's a small, quick investment that provides huge benefits in terms of safety, cost savings, and peace of mind.

Summary - TLDR

Heat significantly accelerates the expansion of windshield cracks because of trapped air pockets. When we repair chips, we inject resin, replacing volatile air with a stable compound. This resin bonds at 150 pounds per square inch, strengthening the windshield and preventing further expansion.