An Introduction on Potholes
Potholes are a common problem on Britain’s roads.
There are many reasons for the formation of potholes.
They can be caused when water seeps into the tarmac and weakens the surface, and when cars drive over the weakened area, the tarmac collapses and forms a pothole.
Other reasons include water seeping into the ground and then freezing or heavy loads on the road etc..
Unfortunately, potholes can cause a variety of damages to vehicles, including cracked alloys, damaged tyres, and suspension damage.
In some cases, these damages can be expensive as tyres, wheels or suspension components need to be replaced.
In this blog, we will discuss the causes of potholes, the types of damage they can cause, and how to prevent pothole damage.
Definition of Potholes
Potholes are depressions in the road surface that occur when water seeps into the tarmac and the soil underneath the tarmac erodes, leaving a void and creating a weak spot in the road.
Overview of the damage caused by potholes
Potholes can cause a variety of damage to vehicles, including damage to tyres, cracked or bent rims, and bent suspension components.
Potholes can also cause damage to shocks and struts, broken axles and CV joints, as well as damage to the steering
Potholes can also cause alignment issues and uneven tyre wear, resulting in expensive repairs.
The damage caused by potholes can be costly and should not be taken lightly. If a pothole is encountered, it should be avoided as much as possible to prevent any unnecessary damage to the vehicle.
Causes of Potholes
A. Weather – Extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, and ice, can weaken the tarmac and cause potholes.
B. Poor Road Maintenance – Poor road maintenance can cause potholes to form. This includes inadequate drainage, improper repairs, and not filling the potholes in a timely manner.
How to prevent pothole damage:
To help prevent pothole damage, there are a few steps that can be taken.
1. Check your tyres pressures regularly-Properly inflated tyres will help to reduce or avoid damage with a pothole, whereas with underinflated tyres you’re more likely to suffer tyre damage and possibly other damage to.
2. Check the road condition – Before driving, it is a good idea to check the conditions of the road, this is especially important when its darker when visibility can be impaired or where there`s no street lighting.
3. Have your car serviced regularly – Regularly servicing your vehicle can help to identify any potential problems before they become serious. This can help to reduce the risk of damage caused by potholes.
4. Watch your speed!- Hitting a pothole at speed will most likely cause serious damage to your vehicle, if driving at normal speed any damage can be minimised.
By following these steps, you can help to reduce the risk of pothole damage and keep your car in the best possible condition.
East London Tyres-Mobile Tyre Fitting in North East London & Essex.
Since we had the recent cold spell just before Christmas with snow and ice on the roads, the lack of gritting and poor road maintenance, the proliferation of potholes is now unprecedented!
As a mobile tyre service, we`ve been out to countless jobs where the main perpetrator has been a pothole. At least on one occasion both off side tyres were damaged and one of the rims were damaged beyond repair on a customers BMW 3 Series.
While working on one customers car, another pulled up after hitting the same pothole, we manged to assist them as well, and while driving back to our base we hit a pothole ourselves, but were pretty lucky as we maintain the correct tyre pressures and werent driving at speed, but many arent so lucky!
We operate within North East London and West Essex, please contact us for any tyre related issues, and please drive carefully and try to avoid the menace of these potholes!!
