A flat tire is one of the unpleasant things that can happen to any driver, especially if you are late for an important event or have an emergency. The first question that pops into your head is: how long does it take to fix a flat tire?
Sometimes from 30 minutes to 1 hour should be enough – everything depends on the scale of the tire damage. If the puncture is evident, tiny and you have plugs – 2 or 3 minutes and it’s done. However, if it’s a radial patch, tire repair can last for 30 minutes. Anyway, sometimes it is better to get a new tire rather than repair a flat one.
What Factors Can Affect Tire Repairability?
Before fixing a flat tire, it is good to estimate if it’s worth it. Even with all tools and tire fix accessories, it may happen that a flat tire rather needs replacement with a spare tire or a new one.
Flat tire IS NOT repairable if:
- The hole or puncture is big enough (more than 1/4 inch)
- The tire`s sidewall or tread is torn or slightly damaged
Flat tire IS repairable if:
- It has only one small impacted area
- It is relatively easy to locate and fix the issue
How Long Does It Take To Fix a Flat Tire?
Fixing a flat tire doesn’t require much time, usually, from 30 minutes to 1 hour is enough for that. Everything depends on the tire`s number of holes and punctures which need to be fixed.
How To Fix A Flat Tire?
If your tire has a small leak or tiny puncture, you can try to fix it yourself or let this task to a professional at the tire shop.
There are three ways of flat tire repair: patch, plug, or patch-plug.
With a Patch
Time: 20-30 minutes
- Remove the tire from the rim to scrutinize it.
- Locate the issue and prepare some scrape tools for further action.
- Diligently rub-down the damaged area.
- Apply the cement patch on the cleaned space and inner lining of the tire. Make sure the two surfaces firmly adhere to one another.
- Use a roller on a patch so it sticks firmly to the rubber. Additionally, you can use a heat fan for more effect.
With a Plug
Time: 15 minutes
- Locate the hole or puncture.
- If there are any foreign objects, remove them with the help of pliers or some other tool.
- Clean the surface from dirt (if any) with a piece of rag.
- To deflate the wheel and make it simpler to receive the plug wire, extract the broken air valve. Remember that the air valve is quite sensitive.
- To handle the damaged area better, use a reamer. The process might be quite long as it depends on whether the wire plug fits the injured area.
- Now take pliers and plug wire. With the help of pliers, pull the wire. Add a small amount of liquid cement to the plug if you have it.
- Place the plug wire in the hole until it is filled with two-thirds of the gas. Take out the pliers by turning them 90 degrees. Cut the wire if it is too long. Wait about five minutes until it dries.
Patch-plug
Time: 30 minutes
- Locate the hole or puncture.
- Evenly apply some adhesive on the surface.
- To prevent possible leakage, make sure that the patch-plug sticks firmly.
To Sum Up
The time how long it takes to fix a flat tire depends on its overall condition. Usually, from 30 minutes to 1 hour is enough. However, sometimes flat tire may occur irreparable due to obtained damage, and you`ll have to use a spare or place a good one instead.
