Lawn Equipment Care - How to Repair a Watering Hose

Depending on the hose you have, there are a number of different leak types that you can repair. You can learn about 2 different ways and types of leaks that you can repair which are described below.

If you have an ordinary garden hose, there are 2 different points that the hose can leak – either at the fitting or at the kink.

Kink leaks are typically the result of buying a cheap hose with badly-made materials. Most of these cheap hoses have no inner linings or linings that are very ineffective. The mesh lining over the hose is what keeps it from folding over itself. The mesh will make it have a smooth curve. With a consistently sharp bend in the hose, the tube will start to break and leaks. If you buy a higher-quality hose, you will deal with the same problem.

If you see a break somewhere else in the hose, you can do one of two things.

If the crack is small, you can get by with simple taping. Special plastic tape is available to provide a short-term solution. You can use standard black plastic electrical insulating tape as well. Make sure the area around the leak is dry in order to have the tape stick. The adhesive will dissolve in the water so be sure you have a tight spiral above and below the leak.

If you have a larger break, you can slice the hose with a very sharp x-acto knife on either side of the break. You should make sure that the edges are dry and clean cut perpendicular to the axis of the hose. You can buy a hose repair kit.

There are two different types of hose repair kits. You can find ones for end fittings and other ones for interior repairs. In addition, you can find them with male fittings and female fittings. The male fittings will go directly into the hose opening while the female fittings are wrapped around the outside of the hose or other fitting. The male fitting will work with the female one.

If you have a kit that will insert into the hose, you will need some threads. The threads won’t actually screw into the hose, but they will help you build a better seal. You can wrap the latter type with several winds of the plumber and have a great seal.

Warm the hose in the sun or near a fire to expand the hose. This will allow the male fittings to go in more easily. Once it is inserted, you will have to allow it to cool to have a better fit.

If you have an end-hose fitting (where the hose fits into the faucet,) the procedure for repair will be essentially the same. If you have a crack that appears where the hose meets the fitting, you will also see the same process. Slice off the fitting and clean the end. Warm the hose for a male fitting and cool it for a female fitting. You can test the nozzle for a snug fit.

         

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