Common Falling Objects That Can Damage Your Windshield

If you own a car long enough, you are bound to have some windshield damage eventually. There are all sorts of events that can lead to windshield damage, and many of them are hard to avoid.

When it comes to cracked or broken windshields, falling objects are one of the most common causes. In many cases, this is the result of parking your car in a place where the driver does not realize there is a risk for falling objects.

While windshields are strong, it does not take a particularly heavy item or that high of a fall for an object to cause damage. In this post, we are going to look at some of the most common types of falling objects that can cause damage to a windshield.

Trees and Branches

You might not think much about the tall tree that you park under every day. In fact, you might choose to park there during the summer because the tree shades your car. While the shade might be nice, that tall tree does pose a risk. If heavy winds come through, branches could come off the tree. If a heavy enough branch lands on your windshield, it will cause damage. If you can avoid parking under any tall trees, that will be the best way to avoid this type of windshield damage. If it can’t be avoided, see if you can trim some the branches away from the parking area.

Ice and Snow

Driving in ice and snow can be bad enough, but you may not realize that it can also damage the windshield on your car. If you have ice hanging off your roof, it could break off and fall on your car. If enough snow builds up, that could also be heavy enough to cause damage if it slides off your roof.
The best way to prevent this type of damage is to park in your garage. If you can’t park in the garage, you could use something like a snow rake to remove the snow and ice dams from your roof.

Construction Sites

Construction sites usually come with falling hazards. A person working up high loses their grip on a tool or knocks over a piece of material, and it falls to the ground, causing a hazard for both people and vehicles. Even if you have a home improvement project like a roof repair going on, you should be careful about where you park your car while the work is going on. The only tip for this one is to be mindful of where you park. If you see a construction site, scaffolding or a ladder, be aware of the potential for falling objects.

Hailstones

Hailstones are another cause of windshield damage. This is one that can be tricky to avoid because hailstorms can come on fast. The best advice here is to try to always park in a garage to protect against the potential for hail damage.

If a falling object does damage your windshield, it is important to have it repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Driving with a damaged windshield is dangerous and can even be illegal if your vision is impaired.  Even if it is just a small crack, getting it your windshield fixed will prevent the damage from getting worse. If you are in the Rochester MN area and need a windshield replaced or a chip repair done please contact us today.