Punctured Tyre | Marks & Wallings

Would you know what to do if you punctured a car tyre?

Experiencing, and dealing with, a punctured tyre is a stress you could do without. After the initial hassle of having the tyre changed over, what do you do with the damaged tyre? Did you know that, in some instances, it is possible to repair a tyre puncture? This costs considerably less than forking out to buy a new tyre when you were least expecting to.

When can a tyre puncture be repaired?

The deciding factor on whether or not a tyre can be repaired depends on two factors:

Where on the tyre the puncture occured
The size of the puncture

Typically, we can repair your punctured tyre if the puncture occurred between the tyre’s shoulders. Perhaps you’re wondering - “What are the tyre’s shoulders?”, this is the central portion of the tread area.

The puncture must also be less than 6mm in diameter for a tyre repair to be a safe and viable option.

When can’t my damaged tyre be fixed?

For safety reasons, it is important to know when a punctured tyre cannot be repaired, and instead, a replacement tyre is necessary. Typically, a punctured tyre cannot be repaired when:

There is sidewall damage:

When a puncture occurs in the sidewall of the tyre, it cannot be repaired. This is because the sidewall is crucial to the structure and performance of the tyre.

The puncture is deep:

When the puncture is deep, there is an enhanced risk that the tyre is damaged internally. Damage on the inside of the tyre can affect its function and overall vehicle safety.

It is a run flat tyre:

If your vehicle is fitted with run flat tyres it is unlikely that the punctured tyre can be repaired. There are several factors that need to be considered, including the make and model, as well as the severity of the tyre damage.

In some instances, tyre manufacturers will not repair run flats. However, it is important to note that each tyre brand will have its own guidelines as for what can, and can’t, be safely repaired.

If you have a punctured tyre we recommend speaking to a team member at Marks & Wallingswho can inspect the tyre to assess the damage and advise if a repair is possible.

Person removing a punctured tyre from their car.

How did I puncture my tyre?

Knowing the likely cause of a punctured tyre won’t change anything, but it can help you to avoid possible hazards or minimise the possible causes in the future.

The following factors may increase your chances of getting a punctured tyre:

Incorrect tyre pressures
Driving over debris or small objects on the road
Hitting a pothole
Rubbing against the curb when parking

In some instances, the puncture may be caused by a small object like a nail or a screw. These can create a very small hole that may not be noticable. In this case, the puncture may cause a slow leak, which if left unnoticed can cause a tyre blowout. Regular visual inspections, best done when checking your tyre pressures, may identify these sorts of punctures.

How is a punctured tyre repaired?

As already stated, you should always have a qualified technician assess and repair your punctured tyre. Located in West Ryde, we offer puncture repair services. We can:

Locate where the puncture has occurred
Remove the tyre from the rim to assess for possible internal damage (this allows for a thorough inspection)
Advise if a repair is possible

If a repair is a safe option and you wish to proceed, we will patch the tyre from the inside and fill the hole. The patch reseals the inner liner, restoring air containment and the plug (inserted through the puncture hole) prevents moisture and other foreign objects from entering the tyre.

Technician and a customer standing at service desk, looking at paperwork.

Marks & Wallings are open Monday through to Saturday and are here to assist with your punctured tyre.

We also supply and fit a great range of tyres suited to most makes and models. This means that in instances where your damaged tyre cannot be repaired, we can help you to find a suitable replacement.

I’ve Punctured a Tyre, Now What?