Do You Have a Broken Windshield In Yakima, Washington?
Broken windshields are a major hazard and common occurence for drivers in Yakima. They can potentially cause thousands of dollars in repair and medical bills so they should be repaired or replaced without delay. If you are in need of auto glass repair or replacement, then you should call 1-800-Windshield. Don't wait because acting on auto glass damage today could save you bigger headaches and more costly repairs in the long run.
Anything that comes into contact with a windshield may cause damage, provided it hits with sufficient force. Imagine driving down I-82 when the doors of the shipping truck in front of you swing open and a bottle of wine flies into your windshield, leaving it cracked. Maybe you’re unloading your hiking backpack at the Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge when your gear spills out onto your auto glass and scratches it. You could even be parked in front of your own house when a passing car swerves to miss a cat and overcorrects into your vehicle, shattering your windshield. There are literally thousands of ways that auto glass damage happens each day.
How is a windshield repaired?
There are a number of different methods of windshield repair, and which one is chosen will depend largely on the severity of the damage. Most forms of windshield repair fall into one of two categories.
- Application of Adhesive Chemical. Certain adhesives are powerful enough to stick to broken glass and bind it together. Once bound, the damage is no longer able to spread. Provided that the damage is minor enough to not cause problems as it is, this process can delay the need for replacement or even eliminate it entirely.
- Installation of New Auto Glass. In situations where repair is either not possible or not safe, a new windshield must be installed. Prior to installation, all existing auto glass must be removed.
How do I know if I need repair or replacement?
There are a number of factors which must be considered, though it will be impossible to properly analyze all of them without having your vehicle professionally inspected.
- Feasibility. Some windshield damage is repairable, but not all. Any damage which permanently impacts the integrity of the auto glass will not be repairable. Missing pieces of glass are always irreparable. In most cases, there is no way to stop the spread of a crack that already extends straight through the glass, meaning that replacement can be delayed at best. Damage which covers a wide area of the windshield may have permanently weakened the entire glass.
- Safety. The safety of vehicle occupants and the public at large is always the number one concern. Auto glass damage reduces the clarity of the glass and makes it more challenging for the driver to see where he or she is going. Unfortunately, adhesives can only stop the spread of damage; they cannot restore the glass to its original state. This is not a real problem for damage that is out of the driver’s vision most of the time, but it definitely is when the damage would constantly block the driver’s view. Some windshields that could be repaired must be replaced if the repairs would leave the driver in a potentially dangerous situation.
- Cost. There is a significant difference between the cost of repair and replacement. Repair with adhesive requires a minimal amount of material and only a few man hours. This keeps costs between $30 and $200 in most circumstances. Replacement requires the purchase of an entirely new windshield and far more labor. Replacement costs vary to a greater extent that repair costs because certain vehicles take more time to work on and different replacement parts. The cheapest replacements usually cost around $200, but the most expensive can cost $1,500 or more.
- Insurance Coverage. Every insurance policy is different in regards to how they deal with auto glass repair costs. Some may cover the full cost with no deductible. Your insurance may dictate which repairs will be the most cost-effective for you.
How do I get the process started?
You can either contact on the telephone or electronically.
- Telephone. Just dial 1-800-Windshield. Our staff of customer service representatives will put you in direct contact with our local Yakima member.
- Internet. Fill out the form on this webpage. Once completed and sent in, we will review it and reply quickly with additional details.
Who can I trust to fix my windshield damage in Yakima, Washington?
1-800-Windshield can. We are a group of independent auto glass repair facilities with members from across the nation, including in Yakima. We are very selective about who we allow to join. In fact, we only accept 5% of the nation's windshield repair providers. When you choose 1-800-Windshield you are getting the quality and excellence of a national company with the familiarity and convenience of a local repair facility.
We provide service to residents of communities throughout Yakima County, including:
Ahtanum
Eschbach
Gleed
Grandview
Granger
Harrah
Mabton
Moxee
Naches
Satus
Selah
Summitview
Sunnyside
Terrace Heights
Tieton
Toppenish
Union Gap
Wapato
White Swan
Yakima
Zillah