How A Mechanic Does Tire Repairs For A Leak Caused By A Puncture

A flat tire often comes at an inconvenient time, but it's a car repair you can't put off if you want to keep your car on the road. Even if your tire holds air for a time before becoming flat again, you should still have it repaired as soon as possible so you're safe while driving and so you don't get stranded somewhere.

Take your car to a tire shop and have tire repairs done or buy a replacement tire. Here's a look at tire repairs that could save you from having to buy a new tire.

First Determine If Repairs Can Be Done

Fortunately, new tires are made to be quite durable, so a puncture doesn't necessarily mean the tire is ruined. Instead, a mechanic needs to inspect the location of the damage and its severity to determine if repairs are possible.

The puncture has to be in the tread area of the tire and not the sidewall. Plus, there's a limit to how deep the puncture can be to be repairable. Also, the puncture can't be repaired if it is over an old repaired spot. The mechanic has to take the tire off the rim so it can be examined on the inside as well as the outside when doing the inspection.

Apply A Plug Patch

A hole in a tire can be repaired with a plug patch. This is a circular patch attached to a plug that's pulled through the hole in the tire. The mechanic might need to drill the hole first to make it a little bigger so it's easier to pull the plug through, but they have to be careful not to make the hole too big.

Next, the inside of the tire is prepped for the patch. This may require sanding down rough edges so the area where the patch will adhere is smooth and clean. After that, the mechanic can insert the plug through the bottom of the tire and grab it from the top to pull it through the hole. As the plug is pulled up, the patch raises until it is flat against the inside of the tire.

The mechanic can then roll over the patch with a roller to make sure it adheres well to the tire surface and then they finish the patchwork by applying sealer over the patch to help hold it in place. Once the patch is secure, the plug can be cut on the top so it is flush with the tire surface.

Test For Leaks

When the tire repair is finished, the tire is put back on the rim. Then it's tested to make sure the leak is plugged successfully and the tire is no longer losing air.

For more information, visit a website such as https://www.eastbaytire.com.