Anyone who drives will eventually experience a flat tire. Tires can lose air for many reasons, but physical damage is a common cause. Road debris or potholes can damage a tire sufficiently to create a leak, allowing air to escape and dangerously lowering the tire pressure. This situation can lead to unpredictable handling and, if not quickly addressed, will ruin your tire.

Given how frustrating flat tires can be, many people want the quickest solution, which often means attempting a plug or a do-it-yourself repair with an over-the-counter kit. Unfortunately, these approaches won't provide an adequate repair. Keep reading to learn three reasons why a professional patch plus plug repair is the only safe option to get your tire back in service.

1. No Ability to Inspect

If you're old enough, you probably remember when you could stop by any automotive shop and have a technician plug your tire in a half hour or less. While convenient, this practice was always potentially very dangerous. Plugging was quick because a technician could perform this job without removing the tire from the wheel. However, leaving the tire mounted also prevents a thorough inspection.

Modern techniques use a patch plus plug method that requires technicians to dismount the tire to access both sides of the rubber. While dismounted, the repair technician will carefully inspect your tire for signs of damage. While evidence of trouble may force you to buy a replacement, it will also prevent you from driving on a potentially compromised tire.

2. Potential Corrosion

The traditional plug repair found in many do-it-yourself kits is arguably one of the most unsafe methods available for tire repair. This method (sometimes referred to as a "string plug") patches the tire only from the outside. String plugs can often be deceiving since a successful repair may appear to hold air without a problem.

Unfortunately, string plugs often fail to seal a tire well enough to prevent moisture from penetrating the lower layers. Since your tires contain steel belts for extra rigidity and protection, moisture penetration can be a severe problem. A plugged tire's steel belt may corrode, leading to rubber delamination, premature wear, and, in extreme cases, catastrophic failures.

3. Won't Meet Repair Guidelines

Most tire shops follow US Tire Manufacturers Association guidelines for tire repair. These guidelines plainly state that a tire with an improper repair is not eligible for future repairs. In other words, you won't be able to bring your tire to a shop for future repairs if you've already performed one or more do-it-yourself plugs.

This final point is worth considering since you may encounter damage to your tire that you can't repair yourself. In these cases, you'll have no choice but to scrap the tire since it won't meet professional repair guidelines. Given the cost of a new tire, it's better always to have your tires professionally repaired, so they continue to be eligible for future repairs if necessary.

For more information on tire repair, contact a professional near you.

Share