How Much Does It Cost to Reseal a Windshield? (2024 Prices)

Updated: | Author: Steve Freling | Affiliate links may be present.

There is water in your car! Where is it coming from? What should you do?

A common culprit for a leaky car is a window or windshield leak. How much does it cost to reseal a leaky windshield?

Windshield repair costs vary according to the extent of the leak. In order to reseal a windshield, the entire windshield needs to be removed and resealed. This typically costs between $100-$400, with the average price being around $200. Many insurance companies cover windshield repair fees.

How Much Does Windshield Repair Cost?

A windshield repair is much less expensive than replacing the windshield altogether. Often, your insurance will cover a windshield repair, as well. Check with your insurance company before you head to the auto glass shop.

Windshields are made of laminated safety glass. This means there are two layers of curved glass with a plastic layer in between. The windshield is designed to stay intact during a collision in order to keep the passengers in the vehicle, and keep the roof from caving in.

Windshield Seal Repair Cost

To get your windshield resealed with urethane, and new rubber gaskets can cause anywhere from $100-$400. According to CostHelper, the average customer paid $214 to get their windshield resealed.

Your windshield is sealed around the edges with a rubber gasket. Sometimes this gasket fails and the windshield develops a leak. It can be tricky to find the exact location of the leak. An auto glass repair shop will have all the tools necessary to pinpoint the leak so it can be repaired.

Windshield Leak Repair Cost

Simple windshield leak repairs are typically covered by insurance companies. After all, your insurance would rather cover the low-cost expense of a leak or chip repair, than pay for a new windshield.

It costs on average $30-$150 to repair a windshield crack or chip, with the average price around $50, according to CostHelper Cars.

Car Window Seal Repair Cost

Since a car window is smaller than a windshield, the cost to replace the seal is less. The average cost to replace a car window seal is $70-$120, depending on the vehicle and the mechanic.

Often, the window sash needs to be replaced, as well. The cost may be higher for a sash replacement. The rubber gaskets around the window are typically replaced when the window is resealed.

What is Involved in Windshield Seal Repair?

When you bring your car into a car glass repair shop, the professionals will clean all the debris off of the windshield so they can examine it closely.

The windshield is attached to the vehicle with a gasket and a liquid sealant. The auto technician will see if the windshield can be repaired and resealed, or if it needs to be replaced.

To reseal the windshield, the technicians will:

  1. Remove all trim pieces from the exterior.
  2. Find the location of the leak or leaks by conducting an air or water test.
  3. Clean the entire windshield area.
  4. Add a new layer of liquid sealant over the leak or leaks.
  5. Test the windshield to make sure it no longer leaks.
  6. Give the seal time to dry thoroughly.
  7. Replace all the trim pieces.

If the windshield is too damaged to repair and reseal, the technicians will recommend a windshield replacement.

How Can I Tell if My Windshield Needs to be Resealed?

The most obvious sign of a malfunctioning windshield is water on the inside of the glass. Here are some other signs of a leaky windshield:

  • The car may smell like mold or mildew.
  • Fog on the inside of the windshield.
  • Rust on or around the windshield.
  • Wet upholstery and carpet.
  • Discoloration due to water damage.

What Causes a Windshield to Leak?

If you can’t determine why your windshield is leaking, the professionals will be able to diagnose the problem, and fix it.

A leaky windshield is usually due to one of these reasons:

  • An improperly installed windshield.
  • Mold growth either on the seals or between the seals and the glass.
  • Deteriorated rubber seals around the windshield.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let a leaky windshield ruin the interior of your vehicle! Resealing a windshield, or a car window, is a relatively simple process that is often covered by insurance.

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About Steve Freling

Steve has worked for more than 20 years as an automotive mechanic, and later run his own repair shop for both cars and motorcycles. He's a maintenance freak, and generally pretty good at troubleshooting!

6 thoughts on “How Much Does It Cost to Reseal a Windshield? (2024 Prices)”

  1. thank you!!!!!! steve for the info… much appreciated now i know how much it will cost me on my 1983 toyota p/u .. again thank you .!!!!!!!! meaning to replace my leaking old windshield …..

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