Tire Repair: Navigating Plugs and Patches

Get the Right Tire Repair: Tire Plugs or Tire Patches

A nail in your tire can certainly throw a wrench in your schedule. In fact, tire-related issues always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times. The good news is that some tire repairs can be resolved with a quick tire patch or a tire plug. Unfortunately, some drivers have no idea what type of tire repair their vehicle may need. 

We often hear the terms “tire patch” and “tire plug” used interchangeably. So it must be eye-opening to find out that they're, in fact, two different repairs.

At Ramona Tire, we feature a full-service tire shop where our customers receive top-notch tire installation services, from our expert mechanics who also provide trustworthy and reliable tire repair services. All of our mechanics are highly skilled, ASE-certified, and fully equipped to handle all of your vehicle's needs. 

Let's navigate the world of tire plugs and tire patches as we assess the differences between the two repairs. When your vehicle is in need of tire-related services, we welcome you to schedule an appointment at Ramona Tire for trusted service. 

What is a Tire Plug?

If you were ever to walk through your local auto parts store, you'd most likely find a tire repair kit that includes a tire plug. This type of repair consists of a sticky and flexible piece of rubber that is designed to fill a small hole in your tire. A tire plug is a quick fix that involves removing the debris that punctured your tire and securely sticking this rubber material into the point where your tire was punctured. By using a specialized tool to force this piece of rubber into the puncture, the rubber piece can enter the hole before the tool is removed. The remaining rubber that protrudes from your tire will then be cut off with a razor blade. 

Repairs like these are often considered suitable in emergency situations, in the instance that they are considered short-term fixes. However, it's important to note that a tire plug should not be used as a long-term repair. 

Due to the nature of the rubber compounds that your tires and the tire plug are both made of, these materials can contract and expand with heat. However, this doesn’t mean that your tires and the plug will expand and contract at the same rate. This difference can potentially cause your tire plug to come loose. For this reason, we recommend bringing your vehicle to our tire shop at your earliest convenience, especially if you’ve recently had to install an emergency tire plug. 

What is a Tire Patch?

While a tire plug can be installed on the side of the road with the tire still remaining on the vehicle, a tire patch involves a bit more work. A tire patch is a thin patch of rubber that is placed on the inside of your tire to repair a puncture. This will require a visit to a professional tire shop, like Ramona Tire, to remove your tire from the wheel and locate the puncture. 

Once the puncture has been located, a mechanic will remove the debris that caused the puncture, and adhere this thin patch of rubber to the inside of your tire, sealing it from the inside. Your tires can then be reinflated before you can get back on the road. 

Most professional tire shops will use this method to repair your tire, as it is more reliable than plugging the tire alone.

Is Patching or Plugging a Tire Better?

When you bring your vehicle to a professional tire repair shop, most facilities will perform a combination of both services, plugging and patching. Your tire will be removed from the wheel, the puncture will be located, and both a tire patch and plug will be performed in order to offer the most longevity for your tire. 

Because your tires are pressurized, air will attempt to force its way out of any weak point. This force is compounded when your tires impact potholes and bumps in the road. A combination treatment of both plugging the hole in the tire and installing a patch ensures that your damaged tire will not leak again after the repair. This is why we recommend bringing your vehicle into our tire shop for proper tire repair, even if you think you may have successfully installed a tire plug on your own. 

When You Need to Replace a Tire, Instead of Plugging or Patching It

While tire repair (such as a tire plug or patch) is a great way to save money and avoid purchasing a new tire after damage has occurred, it's important to note that not every type of tire damage or puncture is eligible for repair. There are instances where neither a patch or plug can be performed, and unfortunately, even if your tire is fairly new, it must still be replaced. The following types of tire damage will almost always require immediate tire replacement:

• A puncture that is more than ¼” in diameter
• A slice and a tire
• Sidewall damage
• Tire bubbles
• A puncture that overlaps a previous repair
• Damage that is less than ½ “ away from the edge of your tire 

Schedule Tire Plugging & Tire Patching Service

At Ramona Tire, we feature a full-service tire repair center to provide your vehicle with all of the tire-related services that it will need throughout its lifetime. Whether you're looking for trustworthy tire repair services, or you need total tire replacement, our tire shop is here for all of your auto-related needs. Our mechanics are ASE-certified and feature all of the equipment and knowledge needed to provide expert service to your vehicle. We even feature tire repair service specials that allow you to keep your vehicle in its best shape while saving money. 

Schedule an appointment at Ramona Tire today, and trust your vehicle to the hands of certified experts.