Does Walmart Patch Tires In 2022? [ We Answered ]

A tire puncture is never fun and often happens without any warning. However, you can make things easier by knowing when and how to plug the hole.

Patching it, sealing it, plugging it—whatever you call it, if you have a tire that needs to be replaced, chances are you’ll run into a Walmart tire center sooner or later.

Many of Walmart’s 4,600 stores around the country have tire centers, and many even offer tire installation services.

Does Walmart Patch Tires

Does Walmart patch tires? Yes, the tire center at Walmart stores is state-of-the-art, meaning it’s equipped with the same tools as stores that sell tires. 

The retail giant also offers tire patches, tire sealants, and tire gauges so that you can take care of all your tire needs in one trip.

Is it better to patch a tire or plug it?

How you repair a flat tire depends on whether the puncture is located in the tire’s tread or sidewall. Whether you patch a tire or plug it depends on the size of the hole and how long you can wait to get it fixed.

If the hole is a small nail or screw, you’ll probably be able to patch it and be on your way. However, if the hole is large or a slow leak and you can’t get to a repair shop quickly, you’ll need to plug the tire.

Patching

When you have a small cut or take in a nail on your tire, it is possible to patch the hole. Tire patching is only a temporary fix, and it is not something that should be done routinely.

If you have an entire sidewall puncture, it may be too big to patch. If the tire is low or flat, it can be dangerous to drive on it. The tire could pop or blow out if it worsens, resulting in severe car damage.

The process of patching a small hole in a tire is relatively quick and easy, as long as you have a tire repair kit. It’s also a good idea to use the kit instead of a plug, as a plug might fall out during driving. Be sure to clean the puncture carefully and remove any debris.

Then apply a small amount of the tire sealant onto the puncture, and allow it to dry. Next, use the sealant liquid and the brush to apply a smooth coating around the puncture.

Now it is time to place the patch on top of the puncture. Lightly press or tap the patch down with the smooth side of the hammer until it sticks to the tire.

Let the sealant dry completely before reinstalling the tire.

Generally, patches are better when repairing a big hole on the sidewall. They are also suitable as you can repair them from the inside of the tire, which is not possible while using a plug.

Depending on how you drive it, you can expect the patch to last anywhere from six months to a year. The patch will eventually wear off, but it will likely last longer if you find a way to keep it off the road for as many miles as you can.

That can be done by rotating your tires every 5,000 miles.

Plug

Tire plug kits are typically used when the hole in the tire is small enough to be plugged and does not require a tire change. How small is small?

The hole’s location, the size of the hole, and the type of tire are all factors that determine if the hole is pluggable.

If you need to stop a leaking tire, you can plug the leak with a tire plug kit. First, make sure the tire isn’t spinning, and if it is, stop the car.

Then, remove the plug from the kit, and push the plug into the hole in the tire. The plug should be about 1.5 inches long and pushed in about half an inch.

Once the plug is in the hole, you should use a soap-and-water mixture and spray or wipe it over the tire. This will help soften the tire’s rubber, making it sticky and causing the plug to stay in place.

If you need to fix your flat tire, you can consider fixing it with a plug instead of replacing it with the whole spare tire. A plug is a special piece of rubber that acts as a sealant inside the tire.

According to tire experts, a plug used in the tire can prevent the entire tire from being destroyed.

How long a tire plug will last depend on the tire itself. Before using a plug, you have to make sure that your tire is plug-ready.

How Much Does it Cost to Fix Flat Tires at Walmart?

The price for your tire repair will vary based on your location. Some states charge a flat fee for certain types of repairs, and other states have tire laws in which you have to buy new tires if you get a punctured tire.

In most cases, the more tires you buy at once, the more you will save.

The cost to fix a tire will also depend on the tire type and size, if you are paying for labor or if you are paying for tires and parts. A spare tire should cost from $30.00 to $100.00 to fix.

How Long Does It Take to Fix Flat Tires at Walmart?

If you are paying for labor, it should cost you $15.00 per hour for two people. If you pay for the parts, you can expect to pay $35.00 to $70.00 per tire.

If you go to Walmart for a flat tire repair and the damage is fixable, the tire will be fixed within 30 minutes; this is true if the tire you need fixing is in stock. If the tire has to be ordered, the tire will be ordered, and then it will take 24-48 hours for the tire to be delivered.

Does Walmart Sell A Tire Plug Kit?

Whether you are on the road, on a dark rainy night, or a perfect day for a drive, the possibility of getting a flat tire is always there. Tire plug kits have been around for years and have saved many people from being stranded.

A tire plug kit helps fix your flat tire with a temporary repair until you can get it to a better tire specialist. Some tire plug kits come with everything you need to repair, while others may not.

Walmart sells a tire plug kit if you have a flat tire and do not have a tire plug kit. If you need instructions on using a tire plug kit, I would suggest you Google it.

If you have a tire leaking air and you do not have a plug kit, the best thing to do is go to Walmart and buy a plug kit.

Conclusion

It is wise to patch your tires, and Walmart’s app makes it convenient. Walmart offers free flat tire repairs to members, and for non-members, there’s a flat tire repair kit for $9.95.

Walmart’s app makes it easy to order a repair kit, schedule your repair, and receive a text message when it’s ready. The app will tell you where to go and even offer a personalized Walmart parking spot.

Walmart also offers free shipping if your purchase’s over $35, or you can pick up your order at a Walmart store for free.