Sitting at the foothills of the Blue Mountains and the Umatilla River, if there’s one thing that Pendleton residents share in common, it’s our love for nature.
Whether hiking up the Blue Mountains or driving through the countryside, plenty of adventures await you in Pendleton.
Unfortunately, those off-road adventures through the rocky mountainside and gravel roads surrounding Pendleton also expose your vehicle to all types of damage, whether to the suspension or even your auto glass.
Semi-arid environments like Pendleton and the rugged terrain create the perfect environment for flying rocks and debris that can strike your windshield at any time and leave you unable to see properly or even stranded on the side of the road.
Fortunately, auto glass repair shops like Island City Glass offer mobile repair options in Pendleton to get you back on your way with minimal interference to your day.
Nevertheless, drivers can save money and avoid the hassle by familiarizing themselves with various roadside hazards and driving habits leading to cracks and chips in their windshields.
Learn more about how windshield damage occurs in Pendleton and how to avoid future damage.
How Common Are Windshield Cracks and Chips?
While auto glass has not gotten softer per se, many cheap, aftermarket replacements from shady companies have flooded the market and made windshield damage much more common in recent years.
According to surveys of parking lot data in twelve states, the authors found that nearly 14% of vehicles had at least one long crack present on their windshield, even if the driver didn’t realize it.
As we’ll explain later, windshield damage doesn’t always occur from blunt force, and can even form due to freeze-thaw cycles or poor adhesive put on by the manufacturer.
Types of Windshield Damage Explained
Windshield damage is a massive concern for drivers, especially if it impacts their visibility or penetrates beneath the top layer of the glass.
It’s important to understand that windshield glass is laminated, meaning that multiple layers of glass are wedged together, designed to prevent shattering. For this reason, not all windshield damage is created equal, and the degree and location of the damage matter greatly.
With that said, here are a few common types of windshield damage Pendleton drivers should familiarize themselves with:
- Rock Chips: Surface-level damage that typically doesn’t penetrate beneath the top layer of the windshield. If confined to a small area (usually the size of a penny), this type of damage can be filled in with resin.
- Star Breaks: Chips with radiating cracks that extend from the center. These can usually still be filled, but the depth of the chip will determine if it’s repairable.
- Combination Breaks: Chips combined with cracks that typically can’t be repaired, due to the extent of the damage.
- Cracks: Cracks longer than four inches generally cannot be repaired. However, any crack present toward the edge of the windshield, where the adhesive is applied, will require full replacement as it will sever the bond, imperiling the driver’s safety in a crash.
Common Causes of Windshield Cracks in Pendleton
The geographic landscape and semi-arid climate make drivers in Pendleton and the surrounding areas of Western Oregon especially vulnerable to windshield damage. Here are the most common causes we’ve observed over several decades of service.
1. Flying Debris and Rocks
Whether you’re driving through the mountainside or behind an agricultural vehicle, all it takes is one kicked-up rock or loose fender to come flying off and strike your windshield. While more commonly experienced on the highways and countryside, we’ve even seen people come back to parked cars in Pendleton with a cracked windshield due to falling debris from a nearby tree or damage from a pedestrian.
2. Weather Changes
While the seasons in Oregon can be somewhat mild, the changing seasons between hot and cold can put stress on your windshield, especially if there is moisture present on the surface. Drivers with existing cracks are especially vulnerable to increased damage due to water penetration that may freeze and thaw inside the crack and cause expansion.
3. Potholes and Vibrations
Driving down those bumpy mountain roads and dirt roads can put lots of stress on your vehicle, including your windshield. While it’s unlikely you’ll experience a shatter or damage from a simple pothole, if there is a small crack already present, it could cause the damage to expand and compromise the integrity of your windshield.
4. Poor Quality Manufacturing
Finally, if you get a cheap windshield replacement from an unreliable auto glass shop, you could be at greater risk for windshield damage, especially stress cracks. Always search for a reputable shop with high-quality auto glass and good reviews. Most auto glass is manufactured to fend off the occasional rock, but poor quality glass will almost always cave and crack from even the slightest impact or vibration.
Windshield Repair Options in Pendleton
If you need fast and affordable repairs for auto glass damage in Pendleton, contact the experts at Island City Glass. We offer in-shop and mobile auto glass repair and replacement that can tackle any type of crack, chip, or combination break.
Don’t wait; the longer you delay windshield repairs, the more likely you’ll need full replacement. We also work directly with your insurance company to help process claims and save you money out of pocket, so you don’t have to stress.
FAQs
Can a windshield crack without being hit?
While rare, windshields can crack without being hit if a stress crack occurs. Stress cracks can form due to vibrations on the road, rapid freeze-thaw cycles, or poor quality installation.
What windshield damage is covered by insurance?
Most windshield damage is covered under comprehensive auto policies, or if the damage was the result of another driver’s actions.
Is it OK to drive with a cracked windshield?
While Oregon doesn’t have specific statutes pertaining to cracked windshields, it is generally not considered safe if the crack obstructs the driver’s vision and is deemed dangerous by an officer. Furthermore, cracks can rapidly expand if not repaired promptly, compromising your safety in the event of a crash.