Many of us have heard that familiar sound of a rock or cinder hitting the windshield while driving down the road, perhaps producing a crack.

Luckily, there are auto glass repair shops in our area that will help, whether it’s a crack, or something more serious.

Safelite AutoGlass is famous for its jingle, “Safelite repair, Safelite replace,” and that’s just what they do.

The business is spread throughout all 50 states, and will go on site in order to repair and replace cracked and broken glass on vehicles.

Safelite, which has a Bradford location, will repair all glass on vehicles, including sunroofs.

The time it takes to finish a repair and replace depends on the severity of the damage, as well as the car. New cars sometimes require a recalibration after glass is replaced.

Katie Salvator of Safelite said they tend to see more business throughout the winter.

“The conditions of the road, as well as vehicles going from heat to freezing temperatures, often cause an increase in the need for auto glass repair,” Salvator said.

She also warned to pay attention cracks, as windows and mirrors are a key safety feature in a vehicle, and that if the crack is larger than a dollar bill, the glass needs to be properly taken care of.

She also urged to never pour hot water on auto glass in order to melt ice, as that can cause cracks and breaking.

As for her feelings on Safelite going onsite to repair auto glass, Salvator said, “Our customers are our priority, although it is favorable to fix glass in a heated environment, sometimes that can’t always happen.”

Sam McEwen, owner of Hedlund Glass in Bradford, stated that winter is the busiest time for his business because of all of the rocks on the roads.

He said that cars are now being made so the windshields are more tipped as to create more deflection from cracking and breaks. However it is still important to follow proper procedures when it comes to glass replacement and repair.

“Now that they are even making glass roofs for cars, it is becoming even more important to make sure that repair is done right in order to ensure safety,” said McEwen.

He said making sure that every piece is installed correctly can be an important element if the vehicle was ever involved in a collision.

If not done correctly, he stated, “It could cost you your life.”

In order to make sure of proper procedures, McEwen stated that there is no replace or repair on site, unless the weather is above 50 degrees, or a heated garage is available.

He does this because the sealant used for glass repair would not cure in colder temperatures if replaced outside, resulting in that sealant to freeze. This can cause problems when the sealant eventually thaws.

One tip he had for anyone who needs to have glass replaced or repaired on their vehicle was to make sure you know who is working on your car and to, “Have it done inside, and have it done correctly.”

NAPA Auto Parts in Bradford specializes in auto glass repair, replacing windshields, windows and mirrors.

NAPA takes around 45 minutes to complete the job, and will go on site, said a representative of the business.

They often see more repairs throughout the spring rather than the winter due to the fact that individuals often wait until the end of the cold season for repairs.

A representative of Ed Shults Toyota in Bradford stated that what they replace on vehicles glass-wise depends on the molding.

They also keep cars in their shop for 24 hours after the repair because the urethane used for glass repair has to sit for that amount of time.

An employee at Shults stated they see an increase in customers for glass repair and replacement due to road conditions, as well as because of rocks and stone chips.

“I would tell everyone not to follow cars so close,” she stated. “Sometimes things like this can be inevitable, but they can also be preventable.”