Regardless of its' location, if the chip is a lot bigger than 3 inches than most glass company firms will tell you that you need to replace it. If the chip is smaller than that, it can usually be fixed. The important thing is that you do not get talked into replacing your windshield when it is not necessary. If you suspect that a simple front window repair job would suffice, get at least 3-5 opinions before making the final call.
First things first the chip should be repaired before it gets filled with grit. To do this, the chip needs to be drilled while the cracks in it get vacuumed. An acrylic or crystalene resin is then inserted via syringe into the chip to restore the air trapped in the crack. Afterwards it is dried with UV light which hardens the substance and reinstates the original state of the glass. Acrylic resin is made up of carcinogenic acid which turns the chips yellow over time. Crystalene resin has better clarity and doesn't change color over time. It's available at ultra-low consistency and high consistency. Extra resin is scraped away and then polished for a finishing touch. This kind of treatment usually runs about $45-$100.
Park your vehicle in a garage or under a shelter. If possible, park your vehicle in an area where it will be insulated from the harsh environment. This will not only protect it from ice but from falling limbs or other hazards car auto glass repair this time of year.
Different kinds of damage to a windscreen can have different consequences. If a pane of auto glass has been totally smashed or deeply cracked, it is most likely that a total replacement will be necessary. However, this kind of severe damage is actually quite uncommon. Typically, the windshield chip repair will have been subtly damaged a long time before it cracks or breaks. Many windshields are composed of two panes separated by an inner layer of plastic. Typically, if both panes are cracked, a replacement is necessary. Surface cracks which affect only the outer layer can be repaired quite easily.
Honest answers to these questions will provide you with a list of problem area's requiring thought and action. Divide your list into three main areas with the headings Clean, Repair and Replace.
Once you decide that you need to fix your windshield, the best place to go is to a windshield repair professional. They have a specialized skill set that ensures that the job will be done right. Moreover, getting your windshield repaired can require special tools and techniques that are hard to find anywhere else. Windshield repair professionals focus primarily on fixing windshield problems just like yours. When it comes to something as important as your windshield, a windshield repair professional is always going to be the best option available.