If it’s still in good shape, your yard hose is a reliable way to water your lawn, clean off your surface, and do any other outdoor job that needs water. But a bent, damaged, or leaky hose loses water, making it harder to do outside things. It’s also very annoying to stop work and get a new hose when you find out there’s a problem after the fact. Luckily, it’s pretty simple to make a yard hose last longer by fixing it yourself. Find out more about how to fix a yard hose by reading on.
Use a hose mender to fix large tears.
Snagging on a tree or bush, cracking from being in very hot or cold weather, or chewing by a pet are common ways a hose gets more enormous tears. In these cases, turning on the tap will make water pour out of the tears, but a hose mender—a small metal or plastic tube that replaces the broken part—will stop the water flow.
For the torn part, cut the hose off at the source and remove it with hose cutters or yard tools. Connect the hose’s cut ends to the hose mender’s connectors. To make the mender tighter, twist the two caps on it clockwise. Turn on the water and reconnect the hose to the faucet or tip. This will show you if there are any leaks.
Seal small holes with electrical tape.
Small, geyser-like spurts of water from the holed part of the hose are often the only way to see those pesky pinholes. Small leaks like these can send water away from the plants or yard you want to water or even hit you in the eye! With its flexible, insulating, and weather-resistant properties, electrical tape (usually with a PVC backing and rubber-based glue) can seal these holes. However, if leaks continue, you may need a hose mender.
Please turn off the water, remove the hose, and dry it with a rag. For better adhesion, mark the holed area with a pen and then wrap electrical tape around it, covering it a few times. When you wrap the hose, be careful not to make it crease, as this could stop the water from flowing. Turn on the water to make sure you fixed the problem by reconnecting the hose to the faucet or spray nozzle.
Fix a leaky coupling with a new hose gasket.
A leak in the coupling is one of the most annoying problems with a yard hose. The coupling is the metal or plastic part on both ends of the hose that connects it to the faucet, a tip, or a spray. If you hear a steady drip when you connect the hose to a source, the seal might need to be changed. Plan to replace your hose seals every three to ten years because they wear out over time and when they get wet.
Pull the seal inside the joint on the broken hose end with needle-nose pliers after turning off the water. Put the new seal inside the hose connection with your fingers. Most of the time, the more secure the seal, the larger the O-ring gasket. Flat gaskets don’t conform to the shape of the connection as well. Turn on the water and reconnect the hose to a faucet or nozzle to make sure the connection doesn’t leak again.
Replace a bent coupling with a new hose coupling.
The connection on either end of the hose may have become physically twisted after being hit by a lawn mower or other heavy machinery if it leaks after the seal has been replaced. A leak happens when the secure seal between the hose and a spigot, nozzle, or spray is broken because the coupler is bent.
Fixing requires replacing a bent connection with a new one that fits your needs. There are two kinds of couplings: female connects to the faucet, and male connects to a spray or nozzle. Select a coupling that matches the width of your hose (for example, a 5/8-inch coupling should be used with a 5/8-inch line). On the package, it will say both the type of connection and the width.
Cut the hose off, turn off the water, and remove the bent connection using a hose tool. Put the hose’s open end into the coupling’s connection, then turn the collar clockwise to make it tighter. Turn on the water and connect the hose to a faucet or nozzle to ensure the connection doesn’t leak.
Conclusion
Anyone regularly using a water hose must know how to fix one. If your water line is broken or leaks, you could lose water, damage your property, and see your water bill go up. If you know how to fix your water tank, you can keep it in good shape, save money, and make it last longer. Check your hose often and fix any problems immediately to avoid paying a lot for repairs or replacements.