3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Repair Your Own Tire

If you have found that you have a flat tire, you might be thinking about repairing it yourself with a patch or plug kit. You can find tire repair kits at auto parts stores and even gas stations, and they might seem easy enough to use. However, it's often better to have a professional handle the job. These are a few reasons why.

1. Some Tires Can't Be Repaired

Don't assume that all flat tires can be repaired. If the damage is in the sidewall of the tire, for example, it will need to be replaced instead of repaired. Attempting to repair a tire that shouldn't -- and can't be -- safely repaired can put you in a dangerous situation, since you might hit the road, thinking that you are safe and sound. A professional can look at the damage to the tire and determine if it can be truly repaired or not and can guide you in the right direction.

2. You Could Cause More Damage

When installing a plug, you may have to use a metal tool to position the plug in the right position. If you don't know what you are doing, however, this tool can actually cause the hole to get bigger. Since repairing a tire is often much cheaper than replacing one, you will want to avoid doing additional damage if you can help it. Otherwise, you could actually "stretch" the hole to where the tire can't be repaired at all. Then, you'll have to pay for a whole new tire.

3. It Could Be Dangerous

Even though many tires can be patched or plugged and can be driven on without a problem afterward, if the repair is not done correctly, you could be put in a lot of danger. Plugs or patches have to be installed correctly; otherwise, you could have the potential for them to fail, which could result in a flat or blown tire that can put both you and the other people on the road in serious danger. When installed by a professional, however, a patch or plug can be more likely to work properly.

As you can see, it's generally best not to repair your own tire. Instead of picking up one of those patch or plug repair kits that can be found at auto parts stores, consider spending a few extra bucks to have the job done by a professional like Terpstra's Sales Service & Rentals. Then, you can avoid these three potential issues and can hopefully repair your tire safely.