How to Safely Remove Ice from Windshields

Glass Doctor has a better way to safely remove ice from windshields and auto glass. Gradually heat the glass from the inside while scraping and brushing ice from the outside.

1. Check to make sure no ice or snow is obstructing the vehicle’s tailpipe. If it is covered, the ice or snow must be removed to prevent the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning inside the vehicle.
2. If the car door is frozen shut with ice, pour cold water to gradually melt the ice and use a plastic ice scraper to carefully chip a crack in the ice around the door seal and the lock. Do not try to “unseal” the door by using a hair dryer, cigarette lighter, ice pick, screwdriver, propane torch or portable heater.
3. Start the vehicle and use the defroster setting to warm the glass. Wait at least five minutes for the car to start to warm up.
4. Use a plastic ice scraper and a soft plastic bristle brush or broom to clear the ice. A squeegee also helps.

There are de-icing products on the market that may shorten the time it takes to melt the ice, but they have mixed results. The most important thing is to plan some extra time to remove the ice before traveling. Glass Doctor can fix the glass if it breaks, but can’t fix people if they get hurt.

Ice Removal Myth #1 - Boiling Water

Myth: Pour hot water on the windshield and/or auto glass to melt the ice. Make sure to cover the ice completely.

Reality: It's not just the ice that's frozen, the glass is frozen as well. When an extreme temperature change happens, the glass shatters. The same thing can happen if you start your car, wait a couple minutes for it to warm up, and then turn the defroster on high heat full blast. The interior side of the glass is frozen too. This is especially true if there is already a chip in the windshield glass. That chip will run into a crack fast.

For all you science geeks, you probably know that glass is a unique state of matter, it is called a "liquid solid." That means even though it looks solid, it still has some properties of a liquid, especially expanding and contracting with the air temperature. Glass also has no insulating properties - it lets heat and cold pass right through. That's why your home can get condensation, because a single-pane window will have the same outside temperature on the inside. That cold temperature of the glass can take water vapor out of the indoor air and turn it into condensation on the glass. Double-pane insulated windows prevent condensation and save energy costs.

So you got a 2-for-1 deal today - you learned why windshields crack due to temperature changes and why single-pane windows produce condensation. As a full-service glass shop, Glass Doctor can help fix both of those panes.

Ice Removal Myth #2 - Tap, tap tap

Myth: Tap the ice on the car windshield with a hammer to break the ice into pieces to pick off the glass. If that doesn't work, hammer on a screwdriver or ice pick.

Reality: This usually results in an impact hole or a large crack. You can even injure yourself if your hand goes through the windshield. Ouch.

Ice Removal Myth #3 - Metal Ice Scrapers

Myth: It's better to scrape ice off a windshield with a metal scraper, key, spatula, utility knife or crowbar.

Reality: The metal either scratches or cuts grooves in the glass. Plus metal can cut the person doing the scraping.

Ice Removal Myth #4 - Propane Torches

Myth: Some people use a propane torch to melt the ice off their windshields.

Reality: Not only is this dangerous to the torchbearer, but this also can unintentionally melt the glass.

Ice Removal Myth #5 - Vinegar and Water Mix

Myth: Pour a mixture of vinegar and water on the windshield so that it freezes to the glass before the rain does, thereby preventing ice.

Reality: Unfortunately, vinegar eats pits into the windshield glass. That impairs vision and can cause cracks.

Stay tuned for Myth #4 - hint: it involves fire...

Custom Shower Enclosure Makes Great Christmas Present

Travis and Nita Putnam of Woodbridge, VA sent us a nice letter after their custom shower enclosure was installed:

My wife and I would like you to know that you have some of the best staff we've ever dealt with during any of our home improvement projects working at your Glass Doctor of Fredericksburg, VA, location. Owner Scott Brinn and technician "Skeeter" were very courteous and helpful throughout the process of installing our new glass shower. Technician Steve Kendall however, went above and beyond what I would expect from any service provider.

Steve originally came out to the house as an install contractor through a large home improvement company. We were completely unsatisfied with the product we received. Rather than leaving us to fight our own refund battle with the home improvement store, Steve went out of his way to document why the product we received could not be installed properly and took up our fight for us with the store. Nearly unheard of, with Steve's help, we received a full refund of the special order product, and the associated removal and installation fees. Within 24 hours, Steve had drawn up precise plans and given us a price estimate on the shower we had originally envisioned.

Steve, along with the help of Scott and Skeeter accomplished what every customer hopes and dreams of: Finding a company who says what they're going to do, and actually does what they said they would. The Glass Doctor of Fredericksburg team beat time estimates both on delivery and installation, and made the process easy for us, by listening and accommodating our special requests. I sleep during the day and work at night, and the Glass Doctor team went out of their way to accommodate my unusual sleep pattern.

By far, out of any of the home improvement projects we have undertaken, Glass Doctor has been the easiest and most enjoyable company to work with. We will definitely be calling Glass Doctor for future projects and recommending them to others. Thanks for the great new shower!