It's usually not too difficult to spot a leak in a garden hose. They always seem to spray you in the face, but don't get mad and throw away the hose. A simple, inexpensive repair may be all that's needed to put it back in working order.
Tools and Materials
- Coupling
- Mender
- Knife
- Tape
- Washer
Small Leaks
Use common electrical tape in a pinch or specially designed hose repair tape to mend a small leak. Clean and dry the hose before applying. Overlap the tape as you wrap it around the hose. If you wrap it too tightly, the hose will crease and the tape won't seal.
Leaking Spigot
A washer replacement is the simplest of all repairs and is often all that's needed. Washers dry or deteriorate with age. Simply remove the old one, and pop in a new washer. If it still leaks, replace the coupling.
Large Leaks
Replacing a hose end or repairing a center section is a little more involved but still a simple job. The repair requires cutting the damaged section out and replacing with a mender. When cutting away damaged parts, make straight cuts with a sharp blade. To be certain you get the proper repair part, take the removed portion with you when purchasing the replacement. Repair part designs differ by manufacturer. Also make sure that the part you select is the correct one for your hose material, whether rubber or vinyl.
- Carefully cut out the damaged portion of the hose leaving the ends as square as possible.
- Loosen the screws on both sides of the replacement coupler.
- Insert the cut end of each section of hose into one side of the clamp mender. (Be sure they are fully inserted).
- Tighten the screws evenly until the clamp is tight enough to prevent the hose from being pulled out.
- Attach the hose to a sprinkler or nozzle, and turn on the water to test the connection. If water leaks out, tighten the connection until water no longer leaks out.
To make replacing fittings easier:
- Make sure the hose is clean and dry.
- Rub a little soap on the area you're repairing to make it more pliable and easier to work with.
Replace a Coupling
Do you have a crushed coupling on the female or male end? If so, choose the appropriate replacement coupling.
- Carefully cut off the damaged end as squarely as possible.
- Loosen the screws on the replacement coupler.
- Insert the end of the hose into the clamp end of the replacement coupler. (Be sure it's fully inserted).
- Tighten the screws evenly until the clamp is tight enough to prevent the hose from being pulled out.
- Attach the hose to a sprinkler or nozzle, and turn on the water to test the connection. If water leaks out, tighten the connection until water no longer leaks out.
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