Objects like nails, screws and sharp stones are picked up on building sites, car parks, roadworks and rural lanes. Many sit in the tread for days while the tyre slowly loses air.
First steps
- Do not pull the object out. It may be acting as a plug, and removing it can turn a slow leak into a flat.
- Check the tyre pressure with a gauge and compare it with the correct figure for your car.
- If the pressure is dropping, do not continue to drive on it. If it is holding steady, drive gently and carefully to a safe place and arrange repair promptly.
- Take a note of where the object is located in the tyre: central tread, shoulder or sidewall. This matters for repair.
Where the object is matters
Industry repair standards in the UK say that only the central part of the tread can be repaired. Punctures in the shoulder (where the tread curves down) or the sidewall cannot be safely repaired because those areas flex too much. A tyre that has been driven while flat or very low is also likely to be internally damaged.
If the object is in the repairable zone and the hole is a suitable size, a proper repair involves removing the tyre from the wheel, inspecting the inside for damage, filling the hole with a plug and sealing the inner liner with a patch. A plug alone, inserted from the outside, is not a proper permanent repair. Learn more on our puncture repair and mobile tyre repair pages.
Repair or replace
- Repairable: a small hole in the central tread, tyre not run flat, adequate tread depth remaining, no previous repair too close.
- Replace: shoulder or sidewall damage, a large hole, tyre run flat, bulge, or tread worn close to the legal limit.
A technician checks all of this when the tyre is off the wheel. If the tyre cannot be repaired, a replacement is fitted and balanced.
At home, work or the roadside
You do not need to take the wheel to a garage. A mobile fitter can come to your driveway, workplace or a safe car park. Read how the process works in our mobile tyre fitting guide. If you are away from home, see our areas list for places like Leeds, Birmingham, Watford and Reading.
For urgent cases, our emergency tyre fitting team can attend. Call now for a quote on 0800 772 0355 or book now.
Why temporary sealants are only a stopgap
Aerosol sealants and tyre repair foams can get you moving, but they coat the inside of the tyre and may hide further damage. They are not a permanent fix, and a fitter will need to clean the tyre and inspect it. If you used a sealant, tell the technician. Our what to do after a puncture guide explains the sensible sequence.
Preventing repeat punctures
- Avoid driving close to the verge, where debris collects.
- Check tyres whenever you leave a building site or industrial area.
- Keep pressures correct; firm tyres resist penetration better.
- Replace worn tyres before the tread is thin, as thin tread is easier to puncture.
- Learn to spot the signs of a slow leak: slow puncture signs.
What the fitter looks for inside the tyre
Once the tyre is dismounted, the technician inspects the inner liner for a witness mark, a dark ring or smear that shows the tyre was run while soft. Powdery rubber dust inside the tyre is another sign. If the inside is clean, the hole is small and sits in the central tread, a repair is reasonable. If the liner shows creasing or scuffing, the structure is compromised and the tyre should go.
The tread depth is also checked. In the UK the legal minimum is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, and many drivers prefer to replace before then. If a tyre is close to the limit, repairing it just to replace it a few weeks later may not make sense. Our guide on when tyres need replacing covers this.
Repeated punctures in the same tyre
If you keep getting punctures in the same tyre, ask why. A sharp object lodged in the tyre carcass, a rough rim edge or a damaged valve can cause repeated leaks. Likewise, a tyre that already carries a repair should not receive another one close to it. A fitter will check for previous repairs and advise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I remove the nail?
No. Leave it in and have the tyre inspected; removing it may let the air out quickly.
Is it safe to drive with a nail in the tyre?
Only gently and if pressure is holding, to reach safety. If air is leaking, stop.
Can any puncture be repaired?
No. Only suitable tread-area punctures on tyres not run flat qualify.
Can you fix it where I am?
Yes where it is safe. Call now for a quote on 0800 772 0355.
Related Help
Need help with your tyres now?
Call now for a quote, or book now online. Phone 0800 772 0355.