What to Look for When Replacing Your Windscreen

Not everyone realises that the windscreen is one of the most safety features in a car. When your original one gets damaged and you have to fix it or replace it, give a lot of thought when choosing a technician. Windscreens which are not installed properly can put your life in danger. Check what to pay attention to when choosing a specialist.

Quality

When choosing a technician make sure he has high-quality products manufactured for your type of car. If the new windscreen is of poor quality and not installed properly, it will put your life in danger during an accident instead of protecting it. It can pop out leading to collapse of the roof. Also, it won’t be strong enough to prevent ejection of passengers. Moreover, the pressure from airbags could simply blow it out. All of these scenarios are caused if not installing or adjusting the windscreen properly which can be easily prevented. Hence, trying to save money on the windscreen or choosing an unprofessional service could lead to fatal consequences.

Installation
Installation of a windscreen should be carried out by a qualified and experienced specialist. Improperly glued windscreen can cause major health risk during a crash, as well as cause leaks. After the installation, your car should rest for at least one hour and in some cases 12 hours are required. It’s crucial for the sealing so do not trust a mechanic who is saying that you can pick your car up right after the installation. Also, your windscreen should be left spotless and without any visible signs of adhesive inside the car. Professionally glued windscreen should appear as the original one. Inspect it before taking back your car and make sure it doesn’t have cracks or chips.

Minor cracks Minor cracks don’t require replacement of the windscreen. If they don’t exceed a certain size, they can be safely sealed which saves you the cost of replacing the whole screen. The most important factor is to keep the crack clean as dirt can prevent the correct fixing. The best solution is to always keep a clear tape in your car so you can protect the crack from the rain and dirt until it can be professionally sealed.

Insurance

Check if a repair can be covered by your insurance and to what extend. Also, make sure that there is a clear understanding who pays for any damage that might accrue during the installation process. If needed, ask for a written confirmation.

Reputation

Never stress enough, the windscreen is a major safety feature. Therefore, make sure you entrust it with someone who has a good reputation. Professional servicing can cost more, however, if you pay a reasonable price for a good quality service, there is nothing to worry about. Always put your safety as the priority and calculate if the value for money makes sense.

On spot service

If your crack is small and you want to fix it on the spot, you can call for a company which can provide such service. Sealing the crack sooner than later can have a huge impact on the quality of the fix. With rain and dust, the crack can get dirty which makes it much harder to fix. On the spot service might cost you more but it might be more efficient, especially if you don't have anything to protect the crack.

This article is brought to you by Gregory & Murray Co Ltd, a leading automotive glass specialist.

Gregory & Murray Co Ltd offers professional windscreen repair and replacement services,  with over 250 models available. Apart from automotive, you can also find various marine types; glazing, automotive body parts and health and safety equipment.

Give them a call to find out about their full stock or visit the premises in Mriehel. Helpful staff will gladly assist with your enquiries.