As modern and technologically advanced as tires are today, they still can receive punctures or cuts from road debris such as nails or screws. These sharp objects are annoying and dangerous, especially when they find their way into a driver’s tire at an inopportune time.
However, these sharp objects are not the only cause of flat tires. Tires can also lose air due to underinflation and overloading. If a tire is damaged and is losing air, it should be removed from the wheel assembly and completely examined by a trained professional to see if there is internal damage. A tire cannot be repaired if it has an internal leak or is leaking air from the sidewall or shoulder areas of the tire.
In addition, tires should never be repaired if they have been on the road for an extended period of time. This can lead to the steel belts within the tires to wear, which may result in a sudden loss of air pressure and a rapid deflation of the tire. Tires with 2/32-inch of tread or less should not be repaired and should be replaced to ensure driver and passenger safety.
A Tire Repair is performed by removing the tire from the wheel/rim assembly, examining it to be sure there is no additional damage and then cleaning the inside of the tire. The injured area is then buffed and prepped for the application of a patch or plug repair unit, which is then applied to the inner liner of the tire through the injury channel. A chemical vulcanizing process is then used to permanently bond the repair to the inner liner, creating an air-tight seal that keeps the air in and the moisture and contaminants out.
Plug repairs are the most popular and efficient method for repairing punctured tires. They are easy to do, usually in less than 30 minutes, and are a safe alternative to replacing the tire. However, there are a number of situations when the use of a plug is not recommended, including when an injury angle exceeds 25 degrees or if multiple injuries are overlapping or side by side.
Nails, screws and other road debris are the most common causes of punctured tires, but a tire can also become punctured by impact with a curb or pothole, a snag in the road or a sharp object stuck under the rubber of the tire. In these cases, it is best to replace the tire rather than attempt a repair. The most important thing to remember is that all punctured and lacerated tires must be dismounted from the wheel assembly, thoroughly inspected internally and properly repaired by a qualified technician. This will prevent internal damage and loss of air that could cause sudden and potentially fatal blowouts.