A new windshield can be a major purchase, and getting one installed might be the result of an accident or a long struggle with insurance to determine coverage. Particularly if you’ve had to go back and forth with your insurance company, you’re most likely motivated to keep your current windshield for as long as possible– which means taking all of the steps you can to keep it intact for years to come.
Why is the windshield important?
The windshield is one of the most important parts of your car. Obviously, you need it to see where you’re going, but it also serves a necessary structural function for the vehicle. In the event of an accident, your windshield provides major support for the overall structure of your vehicle– keeping things together even in the event of something as serious as a rollover.
To that end, seeking high-quality windshield installation is an absolute necessity for your vehicle. Especially if your insurance isn’t covering your windshield repair or replacement, it may be tempting to seek out the most inexpensive option possible– but doing so can pose serious risks to you and your family.
What can happen with an improperly maintained or installed windshield?
For example, since the windshield is so structurally important, an incorrectly adhered windshield can come loose in the event of an accident, which greatly increases the likelihood of injury or even death for your and your passengers. Even safe airbag deployment depends on windshield integrity; airbags are specifically designed to deploy upward into the windshield, and an improperly adhered windshield might detach or pop out upon deployment.
Understanding the importance of the windshield and how it directly affects the safety of you and anyone who rides in your car with you is a good reason to look into proper windshield maintenance. The first few days after a full windshield replacement are particularly important for your continued safety and protection from accidents.
The first few days
Mobile windshield repair and replacement services make it easy to fit windshield servicing into your busy schedule. More than that, though, they can provide a major advantage for the continued safety and integrity of your windshield: by hiring a mobile glass service, you ensure that you can allow your new windshield to rest for the proper amount of time before driving again.
It’s important to let the windshield sit for at least an hour, but preferably more, before you drive. This gives the adhesive a chance to properly set. An improperly adhered windshield is much more likely to experience issues, or completely fail, in the event of an accident.
Even after the windshield adhesive has sealed, you’re not quite in the clear yet. In fact, you should be careful with your vehicle for several days– and in the first 48 hours especially, you should be extra cautious about slamming the doors of your vehicle. Any excessive impact can affect the new windshield, so be gentle!
Your glass tech will leave retention tape on your new windshield. This is an added safety measure to make sure everything stays in the right place while the adhesive dries.
What else can I do?
Finally, in order to ensure optimum conditions for your new windshield, try and keep the car windows cracked if at all possible. This will help to regulate the pressure inside and outside of the car, which will prevent stress on the newly-installed windshield and extend its lifetime.
The right guys for the job
At Fast Glass Service, we’ve been in the business of quality auto glass since 1984, so it’s safe to say that we know what we’re doing! We can tailor your windshield installation experience to fit your busy schedule, dispatching a technician to you wherever you are. In no time at all, we’ll have you back on the road, ready to protect your new windshield within its crucial first few days.
Give us a call today at 800-242-5644, or visit our website to schedule an appointment or get a quote! We look forward to speaking with you.
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