What Are the Different Types of Potholes?

According to estimates from the RAC, there are more than a million potholes plaguing British roads. While trying to avoid them has become a part of daily life for many drivers, they can do serious damage to our vehicles. As well as ruining suspensions and harming tyres, hitting a pothole can also crack windscreens. 

At The Windscreen Company, we can repair or replace any windscreen that has become damaged as a result of a pothole, and in this article, we’ll take a closer look at the different kinds. 

What are the different types of potholes?

Potholes, big and small, can cause damage to cars, so let’s take a look at some of the main kinds:

The classic

The classic British pothole is characterised by its round appearance. They come in a variety of depths and sizes and are formed when water seeps into cracks in the road and then collapses under the weight of constant traffic. 

The Alcatraz

This type is almost impossible to avoid, and is made up of a cluster of potholes all in one place. You’ll experience a sheer drop as you drive over the surface, and it can cause significant damage. 

The slalom 

A smaller version of the classic pothole, this type is so named because it tends to be avoidable if drivers swerve around it. However, this style of driving is dangerous and not advisable.

The sniper 

These potholes are sometimes hidden out of the driver’s line of sight (such as on the other side of speed bumps), meaning you receive an unexpected shock as you drive over them. Not being able to anticipate the pothole and take evasive action can cause damage.

Other road surface defects 

It’s not only potholes that can cause damage to vehicles, including windscreens; there is a wide range of other problematic defects that road users need to be aware of:

• The alligator – This refers to sections of the road that haven’t yet collapsed but could do so at any moment. 
• The canyon –  Chasms in the road that are created when construction joints open up. When water gets into the gaps, it can cause a problem for motorists. 
• Faded road markings- Road markings like zebra crossings and speed limit information can fade away when the paint gets old, causing hazards if drivers do not know what instructions to follow. 
• Edge of the road damage- If the edges of the road have started to fall away, it means there is less road to physically drive on, which can cause a problem. 
• Manhole damage – Usually, manholes or iron grates in the road can be driven over easily. But if damage to the road surface appears in front of it, it means you will be driving directly into the metal, which can cause all kinds of damage. 
• Patchwork roads – Some roads are made up of potholes and repairs, creating an uneven surface over the same area. This makes it harder to drive on and means it’s more likely stones will flick up and hit the windscreen glass.

Windscreen repairs and replacements 

If your windscreen has suffered damage as a result of potholes or for any other reason, The Windscreen Company is here to help. We’ve spent more than 25 years providing leading services to customers in the West Midlands and the South East. To find out more or get a free quote, contact our team today.    

The Windscreen Company

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The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.

The Windscreen Company's, help-and-advice pages offer valuable tips and guidance on maintaining vehicle safety through quality windscreen care, while also featuring updated industry realted content.

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