How to Repair a Garden Hose

 

​Repairing a hose is easy and inexpensive and you can do it at home in just a few minutes. A new hose can cost upwards of $90! Almost any leak can be fixed for no more than $4 with a hose repair kit.

Complete How-To Video

Hose Repair Kits

Hose Repair Kits:  Come in two different types, metal and plastic. Obviously the metal will last longer and cost more, this is recommended for horses that cost $30 or more.  For anything less then $30 typically a plastic hose end for about $2 will suffice.

First: Turn on the hose and Identify the problem area, mark it with a permanent marker. Cap the end of the hose before you turn it on because it will build up water pressure in the hose and show leaks that otherwise you might not be able to spot, such as tiny pin-holes or areas that are weak, especially if the hose likes to kink in a particular spot.

Identify the connection you need:

Female End: This is the end that connects to the facet,  will pivot freely. If there is a leak here it’s more likely that a hose washer is bad then the end needing to be replaced.  If that's the case then simply use a flat head screwdriver to take out the old washer and put in the new one. click here

Male End: The male end is the end that the water comes out of, you can attach a watering device to it like a hand sprayer or watering wand.  Here's a link to the metal male connection we used in this project click here

Inline Connector: This is for damage in the middle of the hose.  This damage can be a very simple hole or quite extensive like a dog making a chew toy of it.  Make sure to cut at least 3 inches on each side past the visible damage.  Here's a link to the inline connection that we used in this project click here

Once the problem area has been identified and marked cut the hose either using a pair of hand pruners or a sharp knife. Try to make the cut as straight as possible to ensure the best connection

If your hose repair kit comes with a hose clamp slide that on first, if you forget it now you won’t be able to put it on later.  Some hose repair kits come with a clamp built in.

Soak the first 2 inches of the hose end in boiling hot water for :20 seconds.  The heat from the water will loosen the rubber making it much easier to slip in the repair end. As the hose cools it will re-tighten around the repair giving a stronger connection.

Now tighten your hose clamp, test your hose and you're done! ​