Tyre repair | Can tyre punctures be repaired?

A flat tyre is generally caused by a puncture to a tubeless tyre’s casing, allowing air to escape and causing the tyre to deflate. They’re generally caused by sharp objects like small nails, screws, glass shards and other road debris. A flat tyre can also be caused through a damaged sidewall or leaking valve.

Whether a tyre can be repaired can only be established once it’s stripped from the wheel. This allows for an inspection of the damage and the structural integrity of the tyre. Not every puncture can be fixed- it’s important that the damage is assessed for the size and angle of the puncture, along with an internal inspection, to see if a repair is possible.

If a tyre suffers from a major puncture to the tread, on the tyre sidewall or the shoulder it will be deemed unrepairable. If this happens, a new tyre will be needed to replace the punctured one.

Should your puncture be deemed repairable, the plug firstly seals the tyre to ensure that it will hold, and secondly, seals the tyre's casing to prevent moisture or contaminants from entering the tyre casing or structure which can lead to tread separation or further damage. A puncture repair usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes to complete. The process involves removing the flat tyre from the rim, completing an inspection of the internal components of the tyre, assessing and repairing the puncture before refitting it to the rim and balancing the tyre on the wheel. This allows for a complete inspection of the damage and ensures the plug used to repair the puncture bonds properly with the tyre casing to make it airtight. The repair is made from the inside out.

It is then fitted to your vehicle and your spare placed back into storage. If you have any questions regarding tyre repairs, or new tyres, please speak to one of our expert staff.