How To Repair a Garden Hose

If your hose springs a leak, it will need repair, unless you are prepared to replace the whole thing. Take a look at the leak to see if the hose is fixable - there are two different possibilities for a leak and there are ways of repairing each. Garden hoses tend to spring a leak either where kinking occurs or at a connection fitting.

Kinks are more common in cheaper types of hoses. They either do not have an inner lining or it is made out of inexpensive material making it ineffective. Linings are usually made of mesh that helps the hose from folding over itself, it instead forces more of a smooth curve. If you have a cheaper hose you will notice that sharp bends in the hose put stress on it and after a while it will lead to cracking or breaking. It is best to spend a little more money upfront and you will have less of a headache in the long run, a quality hose is worth the money and you will avoid repairing the hose in the first place.

If your hose breaks along its length you have two methods to fix it.

You might get lucky and the tear or crack may be small and can be repaired by using some tape. There is special tape (available at your local hardware store) that is made especially for these type of repairs, but in a pinch you could use black plastic electrical tape or duct tape. First you have to make sure the area around the break is clean and dry. Simply wrap the hose by spiraling the tape around the hose, above and below the leak. The adhesive on the tape will dissolve readily when it comes in contact with the water.

If you have a larger leak, then you should use a very sharp x-acto knife to make a straight cut on either side of the break or crack. Then be sure that the cuts are dry and clean before you proceed.

Buy a Hose Repair Kit.

These kits can easily be found in any hardware store, and come in two styles, to be used for interior repairs or end fittings. Then they are further broken down into male and female types. As the names imply, a male fitting will insert into the opening, where as the female will wrap around the the fitting.

Some have threads, but these threads are not made to screw into the hose, but they can help with the seal. Then wrap the leak with several winds of plumber's tape to make sure that seal is tight.

Another helpful hint is to let the hose sit in the sun or near a fire to allow for the hose to soften and expand. Also, by doing this the male piece will fit much easier into the hose. After the male piece is inserted, allow it to cool and then you will have a snug fit.

For end of the hose fitting repairs, the procedure is practically the same. Sometimes the hose or fitting gets out of round and no longer screws correctly.

You will need to slice off the fitting, clean the end of the hose. Ensure that the hose surface is perpendicular to the hose axis then warm the hose for the male fitting as before. For the female piece of the hose repair it is best if the hose is not heated, also the majority of fixes will use this type of fitting. After this is done, test your fix to make sure it is a tight fit.

Finally, clamp or insert as above.

5 Tips for Preventing Wear to your Garden Hoses

  1. Purchase a quality garden hose. Look for garden hoses with a mesh interior, which prevents kinking of the hose.
  2. If you frequently hook your hose to the same faucet, you should consider the purchase of a hose butler to properly store your garden hose in the warm months. If you move your hose around from faucet to faucet, then you should consider the purchase of a hose cart. Both are used to keep your hose off the ground, and neatly coiled.
  3. Use quick disconnects for less wear and tear on your hose ends and threads.
  4. Store your hose in an area where there is plenty of shade. The sun is a major cause for hose deterioration.
  5. Remember to dry your hoses out and store them inside before the first freeze!

 

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