You may have experienced skidding while driving over a slick road. This might have been a full-on sprint, or it might have lasted a few seconds. Even if you did not lose control over your wheels, you must have experienced hydroplaning.

This happens when your car’s tires ride on top of a thin film of water rather than gripping the surface. When driving in rain or snow, take it slow and easy. Remember that stopping distances are much greater on wet pavement.

 The experts at Surface Solutions, serving Seaford, MA, discuss hydroplaning, its causes, and how you can ultimately avoid it.

Hydroplaning Explained – What Exactly Is It?

This term is most commonly used for referring to the skidding or sliding of the tires of a car across an overly wet surface. When your car’s tires experience more water than they can usually handle or scatter, they become immovable. This is due to the water pressure being forced into the front wheels. A thin layer of water makes your tires lose traction.

The tires have grooves on them that channel water from underneath them. Their purpose is to create friction that can help prevent hydroplaning.

When Is Hydroplaning Most Likely to Happen?

Avoid wet roads – this is where Hydroplaning is most likely to occur. The first ten minutes of mild to medium rain can also be dangerous. The streets often have some light residue of oil due to various reasons. When a car going over 35 mph comes in contact with excess water on the road, this makes for a deadly combination.

So, to answer the question, hydroplaning usually occurs in bad weather conditions like fog, ice, rain, and snow. But beware; bad weather is not the only cause for hydroplaning. So, you cannot point fingers at pounding rain or blowing blizzards.

How Can We Avoid Hydroplaning?

Read below for some tips on avoiding hydroplaning and ensuring the maximum possible safety for yourself and others around you.

Keeping your tires properly inflated is super-important. Make sure you check the air pressure of each of the tires before driving off. Keep an inflator with you in the trunk of your car in case there is uneven pressure. You can alternatively rotate and replace your tires so that they all receive equal pressure on all fronts.

Always drive slower when coming across a road spill or driving in the rain. Fast driving will more than likely cause your car to hydroplane. Also, avoid puddles and standing water at all costs. Sharp and quick turns are dangerous under these circumstances.

Surface Solutions, serving Seaford, MA, offers several services like asphalt paving, concrete, crack filling, etc. Want your driveway or parking lot done? Schedule a free estimate for asphalt paving, repair, or maintenance.

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