Do you have a tire that has a puncture hole in it? If so, you're likely looking to repair the tire and avoid buying a whole new one. With there being a few different methods for plugging a tire, it's important to know what all of them are so that you can pick the best one. 

String Plug

One common type of tire plug that you'll find is known as a rope plug. You can often find rope plug kits at your local auto parts store, which have everything you need to get the job done. You start by cleaning out the tool with a special reaming tool. You then coat the plug with cement and use a special insertion tool to put the string plug into the hole. You can then trim the extra parts of the rope plug off the outside of the tire—this repair is cheap and easy to do. 

The nice thing about using a string plug is that it doesn't require taking the tire off the rim. It's possible to even put this plug into your tire while it is on the vehicle as well, making it simple for anyone to use if the hole is in an accessible spot. 

Mushroom Plug

A mushroom plug is a bit more difficult to use than a string plug. It involves creating a bigger hole in your tire so that you can insert a special probe tool. The probe tool will definitely drain the tire of air quickly, making it hard for you to do this while the tire is still on your vehicle. You load the mushroom plug into the probe tool, then push the plug into the tire. This can be done by rotating a screw to force the plug into the tire. It's a few more steps, but it can get the job done effectively. 

Spear Plug

A spear plug is quite easy to use, but it costs more than a string plug kit. You use a special tool in the kit to force a plug into the tire that looks a bit like a spear. This plug is going to trip onto the tire from the inside, and leave excess rubber on the outside that needs to be trimmed. The problem with a spear plug is that the hole can't be bigger than the needle used to insert the spear plug.

Patch Plug

A patch plug requires dismounting the tire, so you can't plug the tire while on the side of the road. You need to place a patch into the tire from the inside, which will bond with the rubber and form a solid seal. You then trim the excess rubber that is sticking out the tire, and you're good to go. It is going to be the best solution for plugging a tire, but involves removing the tire from the rim.

If you need a tire repair and would like help or information, contact a tire service near you.