How Weather Conditions Affect Stone Chip Damage

Published On: October 16, 2024

Driving in Sudbury can be a challenge, especially with the region’s unpredictable weather. Sudbury is known for its harsh winters, rainy springs, and hot summers, and these varying weather conditions can take a toll on your vehicle, especially when it comes to windshield damage. While stone chips may seem like a minor inconvenience, the weather can significantly worsen these chips and turn them into larger cracks that compromise your safety.

In this blog, we’ll explore how Sudbury’s weather conditions impact stone chip damage and why it’s important to repair them quickly.

Cold Winters and Expanding Chips

Sudbury is no stranger to freezing temperatures. With winter lows often dipping well below zero, cold weather plays a significant role in the expansion of stone chips. When your windshield is exposed to extreme cold, the glass contracts. If there’s already a chip, the contraction can cause the chip to spread, leading to long cracks that are harder (and more expensive) to repair. Additionally, sudden temperature changes, such as turning on your car’s defroster, create thermal stress on the windshield, making small chips more likely to expand rapidly.

Another concern during winter is the constant barrage of road salt, sand, and debris from snowplows. These materials not only increase the likelihood of getting a new chip but can also worsen existing damage. If moisture from snow or ice enters the chip and freezes, the expanding ice can widen the chip into a crack.

Spring Thaw and Rainy Seasons

Spring in Sudbury brings a lot of moisture, from heavy rainfall to melting snow. Water is a stone chip’s worst enemy. When water seeps into a chip, it can compromise the integrity of the glass. If the temperature drops and the water inside the chip freezes, the expansion can force the chip to grow into a larger crack.

Sudbury’s frequent springtime rain also causes visibility issues, which can make it difficult to notice small chips while driving. You may not realize the damage until it worsens. Windshield wipers, when used frequently during the rainy season, can also push dirt and debris into chips, further weakening the glass.

Hot Summers and Thermal Stress

Though Sudbury is more famous for its cold winters, the area still experiences warm, sunny summers. High temperatures can cause stone chips to spread due to the glass expanding. Much like in winter, sudden temperature shifts, such as parking in direct sunlight and then blasting the air conditioning, cause thermal stress. This stress weakens the windshield and can make stone chips worse.

Summer also tends to kick up more dust and debris from the road, and the increased driving on Sudbury’s highways and gravel roads can increase the likelihood of chips.

Contact Victory Lube today!

No matter the season, repairing a stone chip as soon as possible is crucial for your safety and your wallet. Sudbury’s extreme weather conditions can quickly turn a small, inexpensive repair into a full windshield replacement. Victory Lube offers fast and professional stone chip repair, ensuring your windshield stays intact before the weather worsens the damage.

If you’ve noticed a stone chip, don’t wait for it to turn into a bigger problem. Whether it’s the cold of winter or the heat of summer, Sudbury’s weather can make things worse in a hurry. Visit Victory Lube today for stone chip repair to keep you and your vehicle safe in all weather conditions.