How to avoid getting chips on your windscreen

Even with all the distractions and commitments of modern life, it's still important to take care of your car at all times, driving carefully to avoid damaging your vehicle as well as responding promptly in the event that damage does occur.

Even simple things like keeping your windscreen and windows clean can have a huge benefit to you as a driver, as your visibility will be greatly increased. Making sure your wipers are in good order will also mean your windscreen stays clean and prevents unnecessary wear and tear. If your windscreen is dirty or chipped, it can be harder to see the road ahead, meaning your reactions may not be as sharp. Your windscreen forms a key part of your car's structural integrity - if your windscreen is weakened by damage then your vehicle as a whole may be less robust - particularly in the event of a collision.

Keeping safe and alert when driving is vital for avoiding windscreen damage, especially in poorer weather conditions. If moisture gets into the exposed chip and then freezes and expands, it can cause the chip to crack. If the crack cannot be repaired, then you may have to replace the whole windscreen.

If you do spot windscreen chips on your vehicle however, there's still a good chance you can get the damage repaired, though it's always best to take action as soon as possible. A homemade remedy may be a tempting short term solution but unless you truly know what you're doing then you're likely to aggravate the problem.

Chips which are star shaped and smaller than 30mm in diameter can usually be repaired, though this is dependent on their position on the windscreen. By injecting the damaged area with clear resin at high pressure, the damage can be fully sealed and can be effectively good as new, meaning you won't have to pay for a full windscreen replacement if you act quickly.

Although home windscreen repair or chip repair kits are available, it's usually best to rely on a skilled technician to make sure the damage is repaired correctly and that the repairs will last, but this doesn't have to be time-consuming. Repairing a windscreen chip can take as little as 30 minutes, whether you choose to drive into your local repair branch or take the added precaution of having technicians head out to repair your car at home or at work, so you can avoid driving with a damaged windscreen.