If Your Garden Hose Starts To Leak, Don't Forget To Check One Area For A Quick Fix

There is nothing quite like the chaos of a leaking hose. You turn the spigot, and suddenly there is water everywhere, including all over you. Even if it sometimes feels refreshing on a hot day, a leaky hose is a problem when you are trying to get things done outside. Once you acclimate to all the chaos, you will need to locate your leak and determine if it is occurring near the spigot or from the hosepipe so you can start to fix it. A leaky connection at the spigot can usually be fixed with a new washer, while a hosepipe fix will depend on the nature of the hole.

If your hose is spraying water from the connection point between the hose and the spigot, you probably need to replace the gasket. With the water turned off, detach the hose from the spigot and look for a rubber ring just inside the hose near the threads. If you see one and it seems crooked or out of place, try moving it into place and testing the hose again. If you still have a leak, or if you did not find a rubber washer in the hose, you should purchase a replacement gasket. Multipacks of rubber washers are usually only a couple of dollars, and they can also be used to fix leaks between your hose and any attachments. If the leak continues with a new gasket, your hose may need a new coupling due to damaged or stripped threads.

If your leak is coming from the hosepipe, there are more repair options, depending on the extent and location of the damage. For a pinhole-sized leak in the hose, clean and dry the area before applying rubber glue or electrical tape to seal the hole. You can also try a toothpick hack to fix a pinhole leak that involves inserting a toothpick into the hole before taping over it to get a better plug. For a leak near either end of the hose, if you are willing to lose a bit of length, you can cut off the damaged end and attach a replacement coupler to the new end of the hose, securing it with a hose clamp. A larger leak anywhere else on a hose can be solved in a similar way if you cut out the damaged section and reattach the hose pieces using a hose mender and two hose clamps.

Proper care for your hose can prevent future damage. Kinks and bends in the hose can cause damage, so coil your hose carefully to keep it free of tangles. Avoid storing your hose in direct sunlight or in areas that get too hot or cold. Drain your hose after each use and consider using WD-40 to prevent corrosion on the couplings. With good care and some repairs, you should not have to go out and buy a new hose for a long time.