Texas is one of the top states for hail-related loss claims for personal vehicles. An unexpected hailstorm can leave you needing Baytown windshield repair. There are a few ways you can protect your auto glass from hail and minimize damage, ideally saving yourself money in Baytown windshield repair costs.
No matter how vigilant you are, windshield damage does happen. When you need windshield repair or replacement, choose a reputable Baytown glass repair company for your auto glass damage.
What Causes Hail?
Hail is a destructive form of precipitation that can be formed during severe thunderstorms. Here’s a more detailed look at the types of storms likely to produce hail:
Supercell Thunderstorms: These are the most dangerous type of thunderstorm and are often associated with the largest and most damaging hail. Supercells are characterized by a rotating updraft called a mesocyclone. This rotation helps to sustain the strong updraft for a long time, allowing hailstones to grow significantly through repeated trips through the supercooled regions of the storm. Hail from supercells can often be 2 inches (5 cm) or larger in diameter, sometimes reaching the size of golf balls, baseballs, or even larger.
Multi-cell Thunderstorms: These storms are composed of clusters of individual thunderstorm cells at different stages of development. While they can produce hail, it is generally smaller than that from supercells. The updrafts in individual cells may not be as strong or long-lasting as in supercells, limiting the size to which hailstones can grow. However, a multi-cell storm moving over an area can still produce a significant amount of small to medium-sized hail.
Single-cell Thunderstorms: These are isolated, short-lived thunderstorms. They can occasionally produce small hail, especially if they briefly develop a strong updraft. However, they typically lack the sustained and organized updraft necessary for the formation of large hail.
Stay Updated on Weather Forecasts
One of the first things to do is turn on weather notifications on your phone. This way, you’ll be prepared for forecasted hailstorms and can take steps to protect your windshield.
- The Weather Channel: Detailed forecasts, radar, severe alerts, news/videos.
- AccuWeather: “MinuteCast,” detailed hourly/daily forecasts, severe alerts.
- Weather Underground: Detailed data from personal stations, interactive radar, customizable alerts, air quality.
- CARROT Weather: Humorous descriptions, accurate forecasts, customizable hail alerts (subscription for full features).
- MyRadar Weather Radar: Fast, detailed animated radar, severe alerts, storm tracking.
- NOAA Weather Radar Live: Official NOAA data, forecasts, radar.
- WeatherBug: Real-time forecasts, radar, lightning detection, severe alerts, pollen/air quality.
- Yahoo Weather: Hourly/daily forecasts, detailed info, interactive maps, severe alerts.
- Flowx: Visual flow maps of weather patterns, detailed forecasts, customizable data layers.
Invest in a Hail Cover to Prevent Baytown Windshield Repair
If you know that your area is expecting hail, you may want to choose to leave your car in your garage for the day, or if you’re out doing errands or at work, try to park under a tree, inside a covered parking structure, or close to the side of a building that blocks you from the worst of the wind. This is an easy step you can take to avoid potential windshield damage.
What if you don’t have access to a garage or carport or othered covered space? Another way you can help protect your auto glass is to invest in a hail car cover. You can typically find these covers at your local auto supply store. However, you will need to know your car’s specifications to find one that is appropriate for your vehicle. Though, in significantly heavy hailstorms, you may still end up with some auto glass damage. Luckily, your Baytown windshield repair company can repair or replace chipped or cracked vehicle glass and get you back on the road quickly.
Use Blankets to Soften Hail Impact on Your Auto Glass
While a hail cover will be more effective, you can use blankets to help minimize the damage if you are caught in a hailstorm without it. This measure likely won’t fully protect your vehicle from hail impact, however it can help soften the blow of incoming hail on your auto glass. This way, you may be able to receive Baytown windshield repair services, rather than replacement. Try to cover your car in as many blankets as you can during a hailstorm to provide a cushion between your vehicle and hail. Additionally, if you don’t have blankets, you can place your floor mats on your windshield as a last resort. Afterwards, call your Baytown auto glass repair technician to get the damage repaired as soon as possible to protect you, your passengers, and your vehicle from windshield chips and cracks.
Fast, Affordable Baytown Windshield Repair
At Joey’s Glass, we are the oldest full-service glass company in Baytown. For over 45 years, we have been protecting your vehicle, home, and business with the most innovative glass solutions. Our team can help you find the most practical and budget-friendly options for your needs. Contact us for a free Baytown windshield repair quote.