Repairing a Tire After a Puncture: 3 Things to Know Before You Start
When can I repair a flat tire? What are the checks to be made and the precautions to be taken in order to guarantee the integrity of a repaired puncture? Here are 3 things to know about repairing a tire.
1. A Little is Not Always Fixable:
This first point is essential. Although there are several methods of repairing tires that are very effective and easy to implement, it is important to keep in mind that a flat tire may not always be repairable. This is particularly the case with run-flat tires (run-flat tires) which are designed to be able to continue driving before replacing them, tires already too worn at the time of the puncture since resuming the road with it will only worsen the risks linked to poor grip / poor behavior of the tires, or even tires having taken a screw or a nail too deep (more than 6 mm ) which compromises the integrity of the tire even in the event of a repair. This is also the case when the damage is too close to the rim, which does not allow optimal grip between the rim and the tire. For obvious safety reasons, do not repair a tire more than twice either, its integrity (and therefore its performance) having already deteriorated after two repairs.
2. How to Detect an Air Leak:
Because we do not systematically walk around the vehicle before setting off each time, we very often notice a gradual loss of tire pressure. either while driving, or when a warning message appears on the instrument panel (for vehicles equipped with pressure loss indicators), or by surprise when seeing a significant drop in the vehicle and a flattened tire when this one is parked. If in most cases it is not easy to find a screw or a nail in the tread, it is also possible that the air leak is particularly small and invisible to the naked eye (it is, in particular, the case when a fine nail pierces the tire and then withdraws, leaving a micro leak). To detect it quickly, use the following technique: spray the tire with soapy water, then look for a small rash on the surface. If you see any small bubbles, you have found the leak. To speed up detection,
3. Repair Techniques:
Now that you have identified the origin of the puncture, and that you have made sure that your tire can be repaired, it remains to choose the most suitable solution. There are three main types of repairs. Regardless of the method used, do not hesitate to have the tire checked by a professional when you have the opportunity:
- The puncture spray: an essential accessory onboard your vehicle, the puncture spray can simply be emptied into your tire in the event of a puncture or air leak due to a small screw or a nail. This will take care of delivering a foam that will stop the leak, and then all you have to do is re-inflate the tire and start again. Such a repair can be final, but a check afterward is a bonus for more peace of mind.
- The fungus: this repair technique from the inside consists of filling the leak from the inside of the tire, with a mushroom-shaped patch: the rod fills the air leak, and the head holds it in place to avoid ejection while driving. This is the most reliable repair, and it should be done by a professional after a thorough check of the entire tire.
- The drill bit: this technique of repairing from the outside is the most economical and quick to perform. A repair kit contains a rubber bit coated with glue, which is forcefully inserted into the leak, making the hole larger. Once the leak has been filled, all you have to do is cut the excess and let's go. As a motorist and biker, we particularly appreciate this method, which does not require us to dismantle the road! Remember that no matter what method you use, a subsequent check is not superfluous. Go, have a good trip!
To Summarize
A flat tire can be repaired, under certain conditions. Before you embark on this much less expensive operation than the outright change at a professional, here are three things to know to make your life easier and save time.
