Flat tires are a pain. But before calling the local tire repair shop, it's a good idea to take a peek inside the tire yourself to see what caused the puncture. You might be surprised at some of the crazy things that can get stuck in there. According to Carsurance, 54% of roadside breakdowns occur due to tire problems. Here are the most common tire puncture culprits.

Nails

One of the most obvious and common tire puncture objects is nails. Nails on the road can penetrate the tread and cause a slow leak or even a sudden flat tire. You should always be on the lookout when driving in construction zones or areas with older buildings and homes. The last thing you want is to have multiple nails stuck in the tire, requiring a visit to the local tire repair shop. Make sure to do a visual inspection around the tire after picking up a nail to ensure there isn't any more hiding in the tread.

Glass

Shards of glass on the road can definitely spell trouble for your tires. Pieces of glass, like beer bottles or broken car mirrors, can puncture the tire and become lodged in the rubber. Driving over glass might cause an instant flat or lead to a slow air leak over time. Don’t take chances with glass punctures — have local tire repair technicians take a look and plug any holes or tears. Safety first!

Plastic

Believe it or not, pieces of plastic, such as utensils, bottle caps, packaging, and other trash, can also puncture tires. Jagged and rigid plastic can pierce the rubber when driven over. Try to avoid plastic debris when possible, and perform periodic tire inspections to remove any pieces stuck in the treads. The local tire repair experts can help remove plastic and repair punctures.

Metal

Lastly, watch out for metal car parts. Items like mufflers, brackets, and other rugged metal pieces that fall off cars can pose serious threats to your tires. Metal is sturdy enough to lodge into the tire or slice the rubber open. Don’t risk driving if you run over something metal — have the local tire repair professionals check it out first.

There are many unexpected objects that can puncture tires and ruin your day. However, now you know what to look for and when it's time to call the local tire repair shop for help. With a little vigilance and preventative maintenance, you can avoid many common tire hazards on the road. If you have something stuck in your tire, bring it to our team at Currie's Tires for repair or replacement.