Flat Tire Repair in Whitecourt

Flat tire and puncture repair in Whitecourt: which punctures can be fixed under the tire industry's plug-and-patch standard, and what to ask the shop.

Nails, screws and sharp gravel are common causes of slow leaks. Under the US Tire Manufacturers Association's repair standard, a proper repair means taking the tire off the rim, inspecting it for damage, and fitting a plug to fill the hole and a patch to seal the inner liner. A plug alone is not an acceptable repair.

Not every tire can be fixed. A puncture can be repaired only if it is in the tread area and no wider than 6 mm (1/4 inch). Sidewall and shoulder damage can't be repaired. A tire that was driven on while flat may be damaged inside, which is one reason the shop has to take it off the rim to check.

If the tire can't be repaired, ask for a replacement price on the same call. On a pickup that spends time on gravel, consider LT tires, which have a stronger build.

Common jobs

• Nail and screw punctures
• Slow leaks, including bead and valve stem leaks
• Valve stem replacement
• Inside checks for tires driven on while flat
• Replacement when a tire can't be safely repaired

Have this ready when you call

• Year, make and model of the vehicle, and your tire size
• Where the damage is (tread or sidewall) and whether the tire still holds air
• Whether you're driving on a spare

Common questions