How to Repair a Tyre Puncture

Getting a flat tyre is frustrating, inconvenient, and often strikes at the worst possible time. Thankfully modern tyre plug kits allow driver’s to correct many punctures themselves in minutes using inexpensive puncture repair kits – no need to even remove the wheel. Whether to get you rolling again temporarily or provide an enduring fix, with care and the right tools at hand, here are all the steps needed to DIY tyre puncture repair in London.

Necessary Items Needed 

Before commencing any mobile tyre puncture repair work check you have:

• Tyre plug kit – contains puncture repair tools, cord plugs plus solution
• Air compressor – inflate/test puncture seal
• Chalk or crayon – mark puncture location
• Gloves – prevent sealant contact
• Surface cleaner – remove dirt/debris

Finding Puncture Location 

After noticing a flat, get a helper to slowly roll the tyre then visually scan circumference to identify any damage. Chalk mark the puncture entry location but don’t remove the object lodged (nail, screw etc). At slow speeds carefully drive car onto a solid level surface. If the puncturing item fell out, pour some fizzy drink or water around surface letting it enter hole to relocate.

Assessing Puncture Damage 

The key first step is examining the tyre for extent of damage. Types of tyre punctures fall into three categories based on severity:

##Partial Puncture 

Caused by a short nail, small screw or glass cut, partial punctures occupy less than 25% across the tread and sidewall. These are securely repairable from inside by a plug without removing the tyre.

##Edge Puncture 

Deeper damage reaching the tyre edge risks sidewall weakening so isn’t directly repairable. Some plug kits fill voids to allow driving slowly to a repaired. While not a guaranteed permanent fix, it gets you to a workshop.

##Rim Punctures 

Serious gashes where objects totally pierce tyre and also strike the wheel rim underneath spell the end of a tyre’s lifespan. Even if plugged, the sidewall damage and bead leaks makes these tyres unsafe and unfit for repair.

Planning The Repair Procedure 

With the puncture thoroughly assessed, some considerations for tyre repair in London work:

• Ensure parked safely off the road on solid level ground with no risk of disruption. Traffic hazards cause unsafe distractions.
• Major highways or high-speed roads are unsuitable locations – recover vehicle to a driveway/layby first if able.
• Check adequate assistance on hand should car require jacking to access plug point underneath or relocating entirely.
• Clean contaminant guides repair access – remove lodged nails, screws etc carefully using pliers. Don’t widen hole.
• Getting good lighting onsite, plus headtorch allows repairs to continue after darkness falls.

–Once confident of safety, working space and external factors taken care of, puncture repairs can begin.

How To Fix A Tyre Puncture:

##Step 1. Surface Preparation 

Clear loose debris, mud or built up grime around the damaged area so it’s directly visible. Then degrease and disinfect using solution and disposable cloth provided in most puncture repair kits – this cleanses the puncture hole ready for sealant plug insertion.

##Step 2. Hole Access & Roughening
Next you must enlarge the puncture tunnel through tyre to enable tools to reach inside comfortably plus allow a plug anchor grip along walls effectively.

Use the attached rasp tool like a round file rotating gently. Be patient and widen little by little checking hole size frequently with plug inserted until sliding smooth and unforced down guide-tube approximately 1 inch deep. Don’t rush this or tear tread block – around 8mm-10mm hole width is ideal target size.

##Step 3. Trial & Measure 

Place an appropriate diameter repair plug alongside hole and mark using pen where it aligns with exterior wall profile. Then thread a plug down the guide sleeve to interior and make a second pen mark showing end depth position inside the tyre.

Remove and lay the plug on a flat surface beside rulers – measure between pen marks and cut-off any excess length using a blade or scissors from the plug end so it fits flush inside the cavity. Make multiple coloured trial plugs to find perfect sizes if unsure.

##Step 4. Insert Puncture Repair Plug
Apply protective gloves and eyewear before handling sealant tubes – their glue contains irritants. Squeeze a thin bead covering just the sidewalls of a correctly sized plug rather than tips to prevent seal blocking hole entry.

Insert coated end first passing through the guide tube with steady pressure, leaving 2mm-5mm excess external. If any glue extrudes outside hole, clean off immediately with remover to avoid tread area contact. Leave insertion tool inserted for 2 minutes allowing adhesive time to cure through slight expansion – don’t tug or twist prematurely.

##Step 5. Trim & Inflate

Carefully trim excess plug end flush using a sharp angled blade against tyre surface. Avoid leaving ragged fibers that risk dislodging. Once set, refit tyre valve cap then inflate using compressor.

Maintain pressure for 5 minutes checking plug doesn’t extrude with any leaks evident around repair before removing airline and doing a final pressure test 30-60 minutes post repair allowing max cure time. Now carefully test drive and monitor.

Is The Punctured Tyre Safe? 

Any successful plug repairs should hold inflation at consistently without leaks either through the patched hole or worryingly around sidewalls/bead. Tyres able to reach and sustain standard pressure are considered temporarily serviceable but monitor condition and avoid high speeds.

For added insurance against failure, drive conservatively avoiding potholes over repaired tyres until you visit a professional for inspection and secondary repair options. While DIY kits work well sealing damage they don’t fully equal workshop methods using interior patches, so replace the tyre long-term.

Calling Mobile Tyre Fitting Experts 

If unable to execute a roadside repair through inexperience, lacking the right kit or due to excessive tyre damage, requesting a mobile tyre expert at 24hr Mobile Tyre Repair London Company for speeds that matters. They carry extensive spares, commercial-grade plugging tools and can reliably judge fixability accurately. Working from specially equipped vans with air, lifts and drills enables fast, high-quality tyre puncture repairs in London to resume journeys.

In summary, while most partial tread tyre punctures can be restored at the roadside temporarily, all tyres with plug repairs installed should see a garage soon for analysis on structural integrity. Relying long-term on DIY puncture fixes permanently seriously compromises safety over thousands of miles. So stay vigilant after any at-home repair.