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How To Repair A Nail Hole In A Tire

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Nothing is more frustrating than walking to your car and realizing that you have a flat tire. Whether it be the result of a slow leak or major damage, tire repair can be costly and time consuming.

The most common cause for tire repair is a lodged nail or screw. An effective way of repairing a nail hole in a tire is using a plug. If you decide to go this route, make sure to complete the following steps:

  1. Identify the Issue: Using a piece of tape, make a small mark just below the spot of the nail on the tire. Use a pair of pliers or vise grips to carefully remove the nail from the tire.
  2. Do a Little Digging: Use the file-like tool in your tire patch kit to ream the hole. This will help remove extra debris and make the insertion of the plug easier.
  3. Thread It: Your kit should include a tool that has a needle-like tip. Thread the plug through the needle and make sure that the plug is positioned in the center.
  4. Push the Plug: This will not be an easy task, and you will have to put a little muscle into it. It is important to make sure that the plug fits snuggly inside of the hole. Push the plug approximately half of an inch deep. This step is important because it ensures that there is no chance of air passing through the hole.
  5. Check the Tire Pressure: Check the tire pressure and use an air compressor to reach the appropriate amount. Be sure to check the tire pressure again after you have filled the tire and before next driving the vehicle.

Other Alternatives

There are also other ways to patch a tire suffering from a nail invasion. You can:

  • Use Plug Patches: Plug patches come in a 2-in-1 repair kit. It is a patch with a rubber plug attached to it.
  • Apply a Patch: Patching covers the outer layer of the tire. It is a standard but temporary fix.
  • Flat Tire Aerosol Cans: These should only be used in emergency situations.

There are several things that you can do to make sure your tires are operating at their highest peak. Be sure to maintain appropriate tire pressure and have a routine rotation and alignment.

You can't always avoid a nail in a road. But you can learn how to fix the hole and save time and money.


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