Is It Better to Repair or Replace a Damaged Tire?

Every driver had to deal with a flat tire at least once in their lifetime. Although this is not an unusual occurrence, it certainly is very inconvenient. And it usually happens when we are in a rush to get someplace.

In a situation like this, a person has to wonder whether to repair the problem by patching the tire up or opting for a completely new one. Indeed, fixing the existing one is definitely more cost-effective, but you also need to think about how safe it would be for you and your passengers. Let’s see what situations will be allowing repair and what replacement of a damaged tire.

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Determining the Location of the Leak

The first thing that needs to be done is to determine where the leak is located. As stated by the alloy wheel repair Sydney team of professionals, any sort of smaller damage can be located and fixed easily and rather fast. There are even mobile teams that will come to your home or office and take care of the problem for you and all that for a pretty reasonable price. So, in the case that the air is leaking slowly, you are dealing with minor damage, and repair should be enough to get you back on the road. However, if the tire is completely flat, then you are facing some significant cut, and it shouldn’t be hard to notice.

When the air pressure is slowly getting lower, you should check the tire treads and sidewalls to locate the source. Keep in mind that doing this inspection is much better if the tire is removed, given the fact that the interior will clearly show where the tear happened. Whatever the results, don’t forget that your safety is of utmost importance, so don’t rush this process. Weaken or poorly repaired; it can cause severe problems on the road.    

What is Considered a Repairable Damage?

Most of the time, the prime cause of the damage is a puncture. In the case that the hole or split is less than ¼ inch in length, it can be repaired by using patches and plugs. Often these are not enough to keep the problem at bay as plugs will hold the outside, but they will not be enough for the outside, and the patches sometimes work the other way around.

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Non-Repairable Damages

In the case your tire is cracked or split sideways, it needs to be replaced. Make sure you also check your wheels closely. Sometimes the bad wheel can also be the cause of tire damage. And if it so happens that the wheel is bent or rusted, it will also have to be inspected and replaced or repaired.

Although dealing with a flat tire can be fairly annoying, it’s important to do all the necessary checks before deciding on repair or replacement. Don’t be impatient! After all, this is your safety we are talking about, and you should make sure everything is in the right order before you get behind the wheel again.