Repair A Leaky Hose
Got a leaky garden hose? It never fails, you have a long hose that you really like and somehow it gets a split or leak in the middle somewhere. Or maybe someone runs over one of the male or female hose ends so you can not screw it into the hose bib or hook it up to another hose any more. Well, there is no need the throw that leaky hose away. There are cheap and easy fixes that can repair a leaky hose.
- Start by figuring out the size of your garden hose. There are a few different garden hose sizes but the most common seems to be 5/8. The easy way to check the size is to cut off the bad end or cut out the bad spot in the hose and take the piece and a small sample of the hose with you to the store. This will let you test the different sized hose repair pieces so you get one that fits tightly. In the summer and spring there are many hose repair fittings with the new garden hoses at the local home improvement store. If it is not the summer or spring try looking in the plumbing section where they will usually be available year round. They make both plastic and brass fittings for these kinds of repairs so choose whichever material you prefer.
- Make sure you have a straight cut on the garden hose because the fitting will need to go on as evenly as possible so that the repair will hold. To cut the hose you can use just about anything but I use a PVC pipe cutter or mini hacksaw to get a nice straight cut.
- To install the hose repair fitting insert the barbed end all the way into the hose. If the hose is too tight try softening it a bit by putting the end in some hot water. Another method for softening a garden hose end is to set the end of the hose on concrete and slowly work the rubber hose with a flat hammer by thumping it against the concrete. This friction will loosen the rubber and allow the fitting to fit into the hose easily.
- Use the hose clamps or screws that come with the repair fitting to secure the hose onto the barbed part of the fitting. These should be tightened snugly but not as tight as you can possible go otherwise it will break the hose clamp. Finally test the hose and you should be done. If it still drips or leaks a bit then try tightening the clamps or screws a little bit more.
