Is Windshield Pitting Affecting Your Driving Safety?

What is Windshield Pitting?

Have you ever encountered an unexpected glare on the road? One so bright that it temporarily blinded you? You might have dismissed this as a coincidence, but it could indicate a more serious problem.

Windshield pitting creates small-scale damage that can become a more significant threat if left unchecked. This natural process severely weakens glass, eventually becoming a safety hazard.

A pitted windshield occurs when small fragments of debris encountered on the road create tiny nicks in the glass. These miniature craters are the work of sand, pebbles, gravel, and even tiny dust particles. The fragments can either embed themselves in your windshield or leave behind a small dent that may remain unnoticeable for a long time.

What Are the Common Signs of Windshield Pitting?

Although it may take close inspection, a pitted windshield looks like it is covered in tiny craters. To the naked eye, they can appear to be tiny specs. The craters are not necessarily concentrated in one area but could be located only on one part of the glass.

The tiny dents reflect the sun’s rays at strange angles as the light reflects off each surface of the dent. Reflecting light causes glares that can shine into the driver’s eyes and distract him on the road. These glares are unexpected and more concentrated than the usual sunbeam. Instead of merely being a minor distraction, they could hinder the driver’s visibility and even temporarily blind him.

Windshield pitting can affect visibility at night. The glare caused by streetlights reflects against the craters on the windshield’s surface, distorting the light and making it hard to see clearly.

A severely pitted windshield can become foggy, further deteriorating visibility. Standard cleaning mechanisms cannot fix an irreparably hazy windshield; it must be handled professionally.

Ineffective or broken windshield wipers could be a sign of windshield pitting. If you notice that your windshield wipers are less effective than usual, inspect your windshield for pitted glass.

How Long Does It Take for Windshield Pitting to Develop?

Windshield pitting is a natural deterioration that results from the standard debris encountered on the road. It could take as little as a few months or several years for windshield pitting to become a safety issue, depending on your car’s make/model and the type of glass used.

Certain factors can cause the glass to deteriorate faster:

Driving at High Speeds

High-speed driving increases susceptibility to windshield pitting, especially around many other vehicles. Sand grains are much more likely to embed themselves in the windshield, and small pebbles create noticeable dents in the glass.

Harsh Weather Conditions

Weather causes windshield pitting. Extreme hot and cold temperatures accelerate the expansion and contraction of windshield glass, adding stress and making it more susceptible to pitting. Harsh weather conditions can become a significant threat if the glass is old and has sustained extensive wear and tear.

Exposure to Chemicals

Chemical reactions on the windshield’s surface weaken the glass, which causes pitting. Bird droppings, tree sap, and acid rain often cause these reactions. Acid rain eats away at the glass’s surface, making it susceptible to permanent damage. The longer your windshield is exposed to these harmful materials, the more damage it will receive and the harder it will be to repair.

Age

Over time, older glass develops more pitting, impairing visibility and increasing the likelihood of accidents. You should inspect it for pitting if you have not maintained your windshield for several years and have faced harsh weather, chemicals, and high speeds.

Rough Cleaners

Harsh cleaners weaken the glass and could engender more harm than good. You should ensure that the cleaners used on your car are not too abrasive. Cleaning and maintaining your vehicle regularly with the correct cleaning materials should help prevent critical windshield pitting for longer.

Why is Windshield Pitting Dangerous?

Windshield pitting is dangerous while driving because it can severely impair the driver’s visibility. The glares caused by the dents on the glass’s surface can originate from any point on the windshield—not just the driver’s side. Pitted glass significantly weakens your windshield, making it less secure and more likely to receive further damage or shatter in a collision.

A pitted windshield only creates one ill-timed glare to become a safety issue. Depending on its intensity, a glare can distract the driver for several seconds and even cause him to swerve or drive off the road. These glares can be extremely dangerous for all the car’s occupants when driving at high speeds or in traffic.

Driving in the sun can be difficult and dangerous. Even driving in the rain can be a safety hazard, as the tiny pits on the glass can distort the raindrops.

How Do You Fix It?

The longer you allow windshield pitting to accumulate, the harder it will be to repair. Even if it isn’t significantly impeding the driver’s vision, it should still be inspected because a pitted windshield is a weakened windshield.

Don’t try to fix it yourself! Only auto glass services professionals can accurately assess the damage and determine the repair needed. Attempting to smooth the glass yourself could worsen the windshield’s security and cause unevenness.

You should first seek to get your windshield evaluated. The windshield could need to be polished or replaced depending on the damage.

If your pitted windshield needs repair, choose Kryger Glass! We offer windshield repair services and replacements. Our technicians use high-quality glass and prioritize customer safety and satisfaction in every auto glass installation.