How To Fix A Nail In Your Tire?

If you find a nail in your tire, remove it as soon as possible. You can drive short distances with a nail in your tire, but you should not leave it there for an extended period of time.

It is extremely dangerous not only for you but also for the other drivers on the road.

My goal with this guide is to break down the process of removing a nail in your tire step by step so that anyone (including you) can do it!

How Do Nails and Screws End Up In Tires?

Nails and screws end up on the road far too often, whether from roadside construction or tool-filled trucks. What most perplexes drivers is how they end up in tires. You might not expect your tire to roll over nails and screws on the road, so why is this common? There are several reasons why tires and nails collide so frequently on the road:

1. Nails and other hazards are frequently found on road shoulders. If you pull over or veer off course for even a second, your tire will likely encounter a hazard. Furthermore, nails on a road’s bumpy shoulder do not lay flat, making them easier to penetrate your tire.
2. Nails can end up in your front tires after being kicked up by the vehicle in front of you. Driving with a little more space between cars can help protect your vehicle from these hazards. Nails can easily find their way to your rear tires after being kicked up by your front tires.
3. Nails are surprisingly common in driveways, especially when visiting a newly renovated home. If you live in a construction zone, your tires may be more susceptible to obstructions.

How To Know If Your Tire Has a Screw or Nail Puncture?

When you start having tire problems, it can be difficult to pinpoint the source of the problem, especially if you are not a skilled mechanic. Here are some tell-tale signs of a nail or screw in your tire:

 Low tire pressure: The most noticeable sign of a punctured tire is persistent low tire pressure. Low tire pressure is common as your tires lose air naturally over time. This is particularly important during the winter when the air inside your tires compresses. However, if you fill your tire with air and the low tire pressure light returns quickly, you most likely have a puncture in your tire.

Visual inspection: It’s a good idea to inspect your tires every now and then. Regular visual inspections can aid in the detection of low tire tread depth, low tire pressure, uneven tire wear, and tire obstructions. Finding these problems early can help you avoid road hazards and costly vehicle repairs. When performing a routine visual inspection of your tires, keep an eye out for low tire pressure and tire punctures.

Professional insight: When performing routine maintenance, your mechanic pays close attention to your vehicle. Experience combined with attention to detail allows them to identify problems quickly, such as tire punctures.

Soap test: Spray the tire with soapy water. As the nail releases air from your tire, bubbles form in the mixture of air and water, which is the spot the tire is leaking from.

How To Pull Out A Nail From A Tire?

Spin the tire and examine the tread to find the nail but don’t pull it out yet. Many times, you’ll notice a large screw or nail sticking out, but if you don’t, it’s time to try another method of locating the leak.

The simplest alternative method is to spray a bubbly solution, like a soapy water on the tire, then re-inflate it and look for the bubbles caused by the leaking air. This will pinpoint the location of the leak. 

Remove the nail or screw from the tire physically.

If it’s a screw, simply unscrew it with a screwdriver or drill. If it’s a nail, try extracting it with a claw hammer, vice grips, or a pair of pliers. Don’t be concerned if the tire flattens or makes a hissing sound; that’s just the air escaping, you will be able to refill it when you plug it in, so it’s not a big deal.

Ream the Hole. After you’ve removed the nail or screw, it’s time to ream the hole. Most tire plug kits include a tool with a file at the end. To rough out the hole, repeatedly push this tool in and out.

Thread The Plug Tool and Insert The Tire Plug. After the hole has been reamed, you’ll notice another tool that looks like a needle. Crimp the end of your plug together.

You’re now ready to permanently close the hole! Insert your plug-threaded needle through the hole. Push it with enough force so only a small portion of the plug remains visible.

The plug tool should then be able to be yanked out of the tire while the plug remains in the hole. Also, trim the end of the plug that is protruding as close to the tire as possible.

Conclusion

Now you know what how to fix a nail problem on your tires. This article served as a guide to let you know how nails get into your tire and how to pull it out.