The London Driver's Fall Windshield Checklist Before Winter Hits

September and October are the most important weeks of the year for your windshield. Anything you don't deal with now is going to be significantly more complicated to deal with in January.

Here's what to check before the cold sets in.

Look for chips and cracks you've been ignoring

Walk around your vehicle and take a proper look at your windshield in daylight. Chips show up clearly when the sun hits the glass at an angle. If you've picked up any damage since spring, fall is the time to deal with it.

A chip smaller than a Loonie can usually be repaired in under an hour and is covered by most comprehensive insurance policies with no deductible. A crack that runs further than a few inches typically requires a full replacement. If you're not sure which category your damage falls into, our windshield repair page covers what's typically repairable and what isn't. Our blog post on no-deductible insurance claims also covers exactly what to expect from the process.

Understand what cold weather does to existing damage

Glass expands and contracts with temperature. An existing chip or crack is a weak point where that stress concentrates and London's temperature swings between fall days and overnight freezes are significant. Damage that looks stable in September has a way of running across the windshield by November without any additional impact. Getting repairs done in fall costs less and takes less time than dealing with a full replacement in winter.

Check your wiper blades now

Run your wipers and watch for skipping or smearing. If the rubber is cracked or the blade is leaving marks, replace them before the first snowfall. Replacing worn blades before the first snowfall is one of the easier preventative steps and one of the most commonly skipped.

Test your defroster

Front and rear defrosters should be clearing the glass fully and evenly. If yours is taking longer than it used to or leaving patches, get it checked. A working defroster is your best defence against the temptation to pour hot water on a frozen windshield, which is one of the more reliable ways to crack undamaged glass.

Think about what's sitting in your sightline

Any damage in the driver's direct line of sight is worth prioritizing before winter. Reduced daylight and wet roads make visibility more critical and a crack or distortion in the wrong spot compounds all of it. If your vehicle has cameras or sensors near the windshield, our blog post on ADAS calibration covers what to know before you book a replacement.

If you've got anything that needs attention before winter, now is the right time to book. True North Auto Glass has three locations across London and Exeter with easy online booking. Most repairs are covered by your insurance with no deductible, and if getting to the shop is a challenge, our mobile auto glass service is available across London and Exeter. Contact us to schedule your appointment.

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