How to Diagnose and Fix Common Garden Hose Problems

How is a garden hose like a chair? They’re both simple, everyday items that we use every day – and that we simply expect to work. When they don’t work right – when your chair wobbles or your garden hose leaks at the faucet – most people simply resign themselves to living with it. When they fail more dramatically – such as when your chair collapses when you sit or your garden hose bursts in the middle of use – few people attempt a repair. Instead, they throw out the offending item and replace it with a new one. We don’t know a lot about chairs, but we do have some suggestions for dealing with common water hose problems.
My Hose Leaks At The Faucet Connection.
Check the connector on the hose first. Many cheaper garden hoses use plastic or soft metal garden hose fittings that can warp out of shape or strip when they’re tightened down. Plastic garden hose fittings are also prone to cracking – sometimes even invisibly. The best prevention for this is to make sure you buy a high-quality hose with solid brass fittings. If the fitting is warped or cracked or the threads are stripped, you can either replace the hose with a new one, or replace the fitting. Many places that sell garden hoses also sell garden hose fittings and repair kits. The repair is a fairly simple one. You just cut off the old fitting, making sure you have a clean edge, and follow the instructions to attach a new one.
If the garden hose fitting looks fine, the problem may be a worn washer. You can find replacement washers for garden hoses at your local hardware store or many websites.
My Garden Hose Has a Split in the Body
The simplest way to repair a split, hole or cut in your garden hose is to remove the damaged section. You’ll need an inexpensive hose connector and a sharp razor knife. Just cut out the damaged section, making the cuts as clean as possible. Slide both ends of the garden hose into the connector and tighten the screws.
My Garden Hose Kinks in All the Wrong Places
Of course, there’s never a right place for your hose to kink. The problem with most hoses is that a kink or bend often becomes a permanent crease, which means that the hose is likely to kink in the same spot again and again.  You can strengthen it by applying a “splint” made from a short length of hose. Slice the splint lengthwise on one side. Soften it in hot water until you can open it up. Wrap it around the section of hose that kinks. When it cools it will harden again, and reinforce your garden hose at the weak spot to prevent it from bending.