Getting a flat tire or noticing damage to your tires can be an annoying and inconvenient experience.
However, depending on the type and extent of the damage, you may be able to repair it yourself as a DIY project rather than calling for professional help.
This guide will provide an overview of what kinds of tire damage can be repaired DIY versus when it’s best to call in the pros.
We’ll go over the basic items you’ll need to do a DIY tire repair and step-by-step instructions for the process.
We’ll also discuss factors to consider when evaluating if your attempted repair was successful or not.
Additionally, we’ll cover scenarios where DIY tire repair is not recommended and when it’s safest to have a professional mechanic handle it instead.
By the end, you’ll know when it makes sense to tackle tire repairs on your own versus when it’s worth paying for professional assistance.
You’ll also learn some safety tips for DIY tire repairs and signs that mean it’s time to replace your tire altogether. Let’s get started!
Assessing Tire Damage
When you notice your tire is losing air or is completely flat, the first step is to thoroughly inspect it to determine if a DIY repair is possible. Here’s what to look for:
- Carefully remove any objects, like nails or screws, stuck in the tire. Make sure to check both the tread and sidewall area.
- Closely inspect the sidewall for any cuts, bulges, cracks, or other damage. Sidewall damage is not repairable.
- Find the exact puncture location and measure its size. A puncture must be less than 1/4 inch in diameter and not in the tire’s shoulder area to be safely repairable.
- Look inside the tire and ensure no damage to the inner liner or beads. Damaged liners or beads require professional replacement.
- Determine if the puncture is on the tire’s tread or shoulder area. Shoulder punctures cannot be properly repaired.
Thoroughly assessing all tire damage is crucial before attempting a DIY repair. If the damage is too severe, replace the tire or seek professional repair.
Items Needed for DIY Repair
To perform a DIY tire repair, you’ll need some basic supplies:
- Tire plug kit – This typically contains plug insertion tools, shaved plugs, and cement or rubber lubricant to insert into the tire. Plug kits provide an easy way to plug holes and stop leaks.
- Tire sealant – Sealants can seal tread punctures and stop leaks. When injected into a tire, they coat the inside, seal the puncture hole, and inflate the tire. Common brands are Fix-A-Flat and Slime.
- Jack and lug wrench – You’ll need these tools to safely jack up your vehicle and remove the flat tire for repair. Choose a jack weight rated for your specific vehicle. The lug wrench fits your lug nuts to loosen them.
- Air compressor – After plugging the hole and sealing the tire, you’ll need an air compressor to reinflate the tire to the proper air pressure. Portable 12V air compressors that plug into your car’s power outlet are very handy.
Make sure you have the basic tools and supplies necessary for a DIY tire repair.
Assessing the tire puncture and determining if it’s repairable is the first step before getting started on the repair.
Step-by-Step DIY Repair
Before starting, be sure to have all necessary safety equipment like gloves, goggles, and a jack stand.
Repairing a tire yourself can save money over taking it to a professional, but should only be attempted if the puncture is in the tire’s tread and is small, like from a nail.
Here are the basic steps:
- Jack up the car and remove the tire with the flat. Use a jack stand to avoid injury.
- Locate the nail or puncture and use a scraper or knife to clean debris from the area so the plug can seal.
- Insert the tire plug into the puncture according to the plug kit instructions. The plug should fill the hole snugly.
- Apply tire sealant to the plug if included in your kit. This prevents air leaks.
- Reinstall the tire onto the wheel and thread the lug nuts on by hand before using the wrench to tighten.
- Inflate the tire to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI, then check that the plug is holding by running your hand over the tread and looking for leaks.
Take care not to puncture yourself on any sharp objects or overexert yourself when lifting the tire.
Having the proper tools and carefully following directions reduces the risk of improper tire repair.
Evaluating the Repair
Once the plug has been inserted and the tire re-inflated, it’s crucial to properly evaluate the repair before putting the wheel back on your vehicle.
Here are three key steps:
- Look for bubbles while inflating – As you begin to pump air back into the tire, inspect closely around the puncture area. Look for any bubbles forming, which indicate continued leaking and that the plug may not be sealing properly. If you see bubbling, you’ll need to remove the plug, clean and roughen the hole, and try inserting a new plug.
- Test for leaks with water – After inflating to the proper PSI, do a simple leak test by spraying or brushing soapy water over the puncture area. Look carefully for any growing bubbles, which signal escaping air. If you find leaks, you may need additional plugs or patches to fully seal the hole.
- Check tire balance – Spin the tire to verify it’s properly balanced without wobbling. You can do this by spinning it yourself or having it spun at a shop. If out of balance, balancing weights can be applied to the rim to even it out. Proper balance is critical for safe handling, steering, and reducing uneven treadwear.
If the tire passes these inspections without leaks or balance issues, it should be safe to re-install and use.
However, continue to monitor tire pressure and tread condition. If any problems develop, don’t hesitate to have a professional take a look.
When Not to Repair
Some tire damage is too severe for a DIY repair. In these cases, it’s best to have a professional shop handle the repair or replacement.
Large Holes/Tears
If there is a large hole or tear in the tire that is more than 1/4 inch wide, do not attempt a DIY repair.
The plug or patch will likely fail, resulting in rapid air loss while driving. Large holes or tears require professional repair or tire replacement.
Damage to Sidewall
Avoid repairing any punctures or damage on the tire’s sidewall, the part between the tread and rim.
The sidewall constantly flexes as the tire rotates, so patches and plugs will eventually fail.
Sidewall damage necessitates replacement of the tire.
Multiple Punctures
While a single small puncture can be effectively repaired, multiple punctures in an area should not be repaired at home.
The excessive localized damage weakens the tire structure, increasing the risk of failure even after repair.
Get professional help or replace the tire.
Professional Repair
While DIY tire repair can successfully fix many punctures, there are times when it’s best to leave the job to the professionals.
Professional tire shops and dealerships have specialized equipment, a wider selection of tire types, and trained technicians to properly evaluate and repair tires.
Some key advantages of professional repair include:
- More tools and ability – Professional tire shops have an array of specialty tools to thoroughly inspect tires and perform repairs. They can access parts of the tire and wheel that are difficult to reach with basic hand tools.
- Access to specialty tires – Tire shops have connections with manufacturers and suppliers to source tires you may not find elsewhere. If your damaged tire has been discontinued or is a rare specialty tire, a shop can track down the exact replacement.
- Alignment checks – Any tire repair or replacement requires re-checking wheel alignment afterwards. Tire shops have alignment machines to accurately adjust alignment and ensure proper handling.
- Warranty – Many tire shops provide a warranty on repair work for materials and labor. This protects against any issues down the road. DIY repairs likely won’t carry any warranty.
In general, it’s smart to have professionals handle any tire damage that affects the sidewall or is larger than 1/4 inch.
Severe damage often requires full tire replacement. Let the experts assess the tire construction and determine if a repair is feasible or advisable.
Their experience and equipment allows them to perform repairs safely and reliably.
Cost Comparison
Doing it yourself with a plug kit will cost between $10 and $30 depending on the kit you buy.
Many basic kits from auto parts stores come with multiple plugs and cost around $10-15.
Higher-end kits with more plugs and tools can cost over $30. Either way, a DIY tire plug kit is an inexpensive one-time purchase that allows you to repair multiple tires over time.
Taking the tire to a professional for repair will typically cost $15-40 per tire depending on the shop.
Simple repairs to punctures or small holes are usually around $15-25 per tire. Repairs requiring patching or plugging sidewall punctures can cost $35-40+ per tire.
While professional repair may be convenient, doing it yourself will save money especially if you need repairs on multiple tires.
Even with a higher-end $30 plug kit, repairing two tires at a shop for $30 each would cost the same. And the plug kit allows you to continue repairing tires in the future.
Safety Tips
When doing a DIY tire repair, safety should always be your top concern. Rushing the repair or ignoring safety precautions can lead to dangerous outcomes.
- Use jack stands when lifting your vehicle. Relying solely on the jack to support the weight of the car can lead to the jack failing and the vehicle falling. Jack stands provide a more stable base.
- Avoid highway speeds and interstates until the repair has been thoroughly checked. The DIY repair should only be trusted for local roads initially. High speeds put more stress on the repair and could lead to failure.
- Listen and check regularly for any air leaks after the repair. Air leaks mean the plug or patch didn’t hold and more repair is needed. Small leaks can quickly lead to a flat.
- Wear gloves when handling tires to avoid skin contact with lubricants and chemicals. Tire mounting lubricant can contain allergens for some.
- Work in a well-ventilated area since the chemical smell from tire treatments can be strong.
- Keep hair, loose clothing and fingers away from moving parts when using tools. Getting caught in moving parts could lead to serious injury.
- Have a fully inflated spare tire ready in case the repair doesn’t hold. It’s smart to be prepared for the DIY repair to potentially fail initially.
Following basic safety precautions will help ensure you can conduct the tire repair securely without injury.
Rushing leads to mistakes, so allow plenty of time and focus on safety.
When to Replace
Tires have a finite lifespan and will need to be replaced eventually, even if they are properly maintained.
There are a few telltale signs that indicate it’s time to replace your tire rather than attempting another repair:
- If you have done repairs previously on the same spot on the tire, it means that area is weak and continuing to fail. Multiple repairs in one area compromise the structural integrity of the tire, making it unsafe to drive on.
- Visible tire wear affects performance and safety. If the tread depth is below 1/16 of an inch, the tire won’t grip the road properly. Bald spots or uneven tread wear also mean it’s not making full contact with the road. Worn out tires are more prone to blowouts and punctures.
- Tires degrade over time, even if they aren’t used often. Cracks in the sidewall or tread mean the rubber is dried out. Tires older than 6 years should be inspected carefully. Tires older than 10 years should be replaced, even if the tread looks ok. The rubber compounds break down over time.
Replacing a tire depends on your budget and how many miles you expect to continue driving the vehicle.
But if you notice any of these issues, it’s definitely time to replace the tire rather than attempting another repair.
Continuing to drive on compromised tires can lead to dangerous situations. Investing in new tires is essential for safety.
