You walk out to your car on a cold morning, and there it is—a long, spidering crack across your windshield that simply wasn't there when you parked it. How does this happen? It’s not bad luck; it’s a science lesson called thermal shock. It's the #1 reason minor chips suddenly become major problems overnight, and we see it all the time. Here’s the science behind the sudden crack. Call Alpine Auto Glass and Window Tint in Williston, North Dakota, today.
Why Did My Windshield Crack Overnight? The Science of Thermal Shock
It Starts with a Tiny, Hidden Chip
That giant crack didn't just appear from nowhere. It started as a tiny, almost invisible rock chip you probably got weeks or even months ago. This small impact point compromises the structural integrity of the entire windshield, creating a microscopic weak spot just waiting for the right conditions to pop.
Glass Contracts in the Cold
Glass is a solid, but it still reacts to temperature. As the temperature plummets overnight, your windshield contracts. The problem is that the glass contracts at a different rate than the metal frame holding it in place. This creates an enormous amount of stress across the entire pane, and all that tension focuses on the single weakest point—that tiny, forgotten chip.
The "Ice Wedge" Finishes the Job
This is the most common overnight culprit. A small amount of moisture (from rain, dew, or humidity) seeps into that tiny chip. When the temperature drops below freezing, that water turns to ice. As water freezes, it expands by about 9%, acting like a tiny, powerful wedge that forces the glass apart from the inside out. You wake up, and that tiny chip has been forced into a long, costly crack.
CALL TODAY
If you have a chip, call Alpine Auto Glass and Window Tint, the top glass repair shop in Williston. Whether you need a full windshield replacement, a side car window replacement, or want to learn about our mobile auto glass repair service, we’re here to help. Contact us today before that tiny chip costs you.