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No matter how careful you are at driving, there’s a good chance that at some point you’ll run into a problem: a minor accident, a falling object, or just some flying debris coming into contact with your windshield while you’re driving, and before you know it your windshield is sporting a brand-new crack.

A cracked windshield can pose a number of problems. It’s not specifically illegal to drive with a cracked windshield in Arkansas, but it is illegal to drive with an obstructed view of the road in front of you. 

If the crack is located within your field of vision– which it most likely is, since there really isn’t any part of the windshield that you don’t need to see through!– you can get a ticket for continuing to drive with that damage.

Additionally, the crack in your windshield might pose a safety risk. It’s generally understood that any large crack or chip that’s larger than a quarter is unsafe, putting you and your passengers at risk. 

In short, a cracked windshield is something that should be fixed as quickly as possible. But for busy or budget-conscious drivers, a trip to a glass repair specialist might be considered an unnecessary use of time and money.

Should I try to DIY my windshield replacement?

If you know your way around car repair, you’re probably wondering just how hard it is to complete a windshield replacement at home. After all, you can change a tire, change your oil or even complete more intensive automotive repairs at home– how hard could it be?

To complete a proper windshield replacement, you’ll need specific tools that the average person probably doesn’t have lying around. Purchasing those tools alone might be a significant expense! Not only that, but the care and treatment of the windshield itself during the repair is of the utmost importance. 

Professionals recommend laying the windshield across two sawhorses covered in soft fabric, and if you don’t already have sawhorses lying around, that’s one more purchase you’ll have to make.

 Any mishandling of the windshield during the whole process might result in another crack or a chip, which means purchasing yet another new windshield– already doubling the cost of repair and most likely bringing your total beyond what a glass repair specialist would charge for a replacement.

What are the benefits of getting my windshield professionally replaced?

The most important factor when considering windshield repair is safety. You want your car to be as safe as possible to transport you and your passengers from point A to point B. An experienced glass specialist has done hundreds or thousands of windshield replacements during their career, and are therefore better equipped to handle a repair than someone who plans to follow a YouTube tutorial.

For example, an amateur trying to replace a windshield themselves at home might not effectively seal the glass or allow the adhesive enough time to cure, which could cause much bigger and more expensive problems down the road.

The application of pressure while installing a windshield is also incredibly important. A glass specialist is an expert on applying the correct amount of pressure to safely adhere the windshield where it needs to go. 

An amateur or DIY installer might apply too much pressure, causing the glass to crack or break, or not enough, leaving an improperly sealed windshield that puts the driver and passengers in danger.

Can I afford it?

There are some things in life that are worth the necessary cost, and safety is certainly one of them. However, many insurance policies do cover windshield replacement, allowing you to get yours done by a professional at minimal cost.

If you decide to replace it yourself, your insurance may not cover a windshield that hasn’t been installed by a certified professional, which might cost you a lot more money down the road.

When considering all of the factors involved in the question of whether or not to replace your own windshield, it becomes obvious that the cost of having your windshield professionally replaced is worth it in the long run. 

A professional installation is simply the safer choice, and it doesn’t have to take too much time out of your busy schedule, either. Fast Glass Service proudly offers mobile glass repair and windshield replacement, and can come right to your home or workplace in Conway, Russellville, Fort Smith and parts of Northwest Arkansas, allowing you to focus on your life and drive safely home.

Give us a call or reach out today, and we’ll provide a free estimate to get you started on the road to professional windshield replacement.