When an auto windshield is clean and in one piece, you may not give it much thought. However, when you are driving at sunrise or sunset, you may find that when sunlight hits the windshield, blinding you and blocking your vision. This problem is exacerbated by a pitted windshield. Below is a guide to everything you need to know about windshield pitting.
The cause of the problem
A windscreen will become pitted with use. When you are driving along the road, the wheels of your vehicle will kick up small debris and particles of sand, rock, road salt and gravel. As these tiny particles strike the glass in your windshield, they create very small scratches and chips. When a large amount of pitting occurs, each small area of damage can refract rays of sunlight into your car, which leads to problems seeing the road.
The reason you should be concerned
Unlike a smashed or cracked auto windshield, a pitted piece of glass does not have a large amount of highly visible damage. This can lead drivers ignoring the problem. However, if you closely examine the surface of your auto windshield and see very small marks, it is highly likely the glass is pitted. Pitting can also contribute to the overall weakening of the glass, which increases the likelihood that it will crack or smash when forces act upon it. Pitted glass with not self-repair, so it is important that you take action and have the windscreen inspected by an auto glass specialist. The specialist will either repair or replace the glass depending on the severity of the damage.
The steps you can take to prevent problems with pitting
While windshield pitting is a natural part of the wear and tear on your windshield, this doesn't mean that there aren't steps you can take to combat the problem. The easiest way to stop your windscreen from becoming pitted is by slowing down. The faster the wheels on your car are turning, the greater the cloud of particles and debris which hit your windscreen will be. Secondly, you should also avoid unpaved roads. Driving on country roads which are not covered in asphalt or concrete will contain dust, sand and rock which will massively increase the chance that your windshield will be pitted.
If you would like further information about maintaining your windshield, you should contact your local windshield repair service today.