What to Check When Things Just Won’t Seal
Gone tubeless but your tyre still keeps losing air? Don’t worry — it’s a common issue, and usually it’s something simple.
Whether your tyre deflates overnight or slowly leaks throughout the ride, here’s a checklist of the most common causes (and fixes) for tubeless troubles.
White Dots? It’s Soaking Time
Noticed white dots appearing on the sidewalls after inflation? That’s not just sealant splatter — it’s a sign your tyre’s butyl lining isn’t fully airtight yet.
Many tubeless-ready tyres need the sealant to soak into the casing to fully seal tiny pores in the sidewalls. This is totally normal. Give it a spin and let the sealant do its thing. You might need a ride or two before things seal up completely.
✅ Tip: Shake and rotate your wheels after setup to help the sealant coat the inside of the tyre evenly.
Check the Valve Base
Is air leaking from around the base of the valve? Sometimes it’s not the tyre — it’s the valve not sealing properly against the rim.
🔧 Try tightening the valve lock ring. Still leaking? Remove the tyre and check that the rubber cone base of the valve is properly seated in the rim bed.
🫧 Pro tip: Submerge the valve area in water and look for bubbles — if you see any, you’ve found the leak.
Is Your Rim Tape Airtight?
If air is leaking from spoke holes or nipples, your rim tape might be damaged or poorly applied. Even a tiny nick or bubble in the tape can let air sneak out.
To check, inflate the tyre and dunk part of the wheel in water, focusing around the spoke holes. Bubbles = bad.
If your tape’s leaking, you’ll need to remove the tyre and re-tape the rim with proper tubeless rim tape, ensuring a snug, airtight seal with no overlaps or gaps.
Don’t Forget the Valve Core
Your valve core could also be the culprit — especially if it’s clogged with sealant.
Use the handy valve core remover built into your Peaty’s valve cap, unscrew the core, and check for dried sealant or blockages. Clean it out or replace it if needed, then reinstall and re-inflate.
✅ A clean valve core means better airflow and airtight sealing.
Got a Leaky Plug or Puncture?
Even after sealing, small punctures or improperly seated plugs can let air escape slowly. Give your tyre a full inspection, squeeze it gently to reveal any hidden leaks, or use water to spot the bubbles.
🛠 If you find a slow leak, add more sealant or patch it with a proper tubeless plug like Peaty’s Holeshot Plugger.
Final Thoughts
Tubeless tyres are a game-changer — but only when they’re sealed and holding pressure properly. If your tyre’s leaking, work through this list one step at a time:
✅ Let the sealant soak
✅ Check the valve and rim tape
✅ Inspect the valve core
✅ Look for hidden punctures
Still struggling? Head to your local bike shop or drop us a message — we’re always here to help.
👉 Shop our full tubeless range, sealant, valves, and tape.
👉 Ride more. Pump less.
