How to Mend a Leaky Hose

On the scale of life's downturns, a leaking hose is a minor annoyance, but it can seem like a big one when you're in a hurry to get the car washed or the garden watered.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Sharp Knife
• Plastic Tape
• Straightedge
• Soap or vegetable oil
• Hose replacement coupling kit

Making a temporary repair

1. Clean and dry the outside of the hose. If the temperature is above 80°F (27°C) outside, take the hose into the garage or another cool place.

2. Wrap the damaged area with plastic tape. (You can buy special hose-repair tape, but ordinary electrical tape works just as well.) Make tight spirals, overlapping the tape by about a third of its width on each turn. Press firmly, but avoid pulling the tape: If you stretch it, it won't hold well.

3. Extend the tape about 2 inches (5 cm) on either side of the damaged area.

Making a permanent repair

1. Using an ultrasharp knife, remove the damaged section from the hose. Make the cut as straight as possible. If the edges are ragged or the cut angled, the new connection may leak.

2. Take the piece to a hardware store or garden center to find replacement couplings of the right size and type. Most repair fittings will work with either rubber or vinyl hoses, but some will work only with one or the other. Some brands are designed to fit a number of different hose diameters; others come only in single sizes.

3. Attach the male and female couplings to the cut ends, following the directions on the package. Depending on the type of couplings you use, they'll have screw-on fasteners or circular clamps to ensure a snug fit.

4. If the fittings don't slide in easily, soften the hose in hot water, or lubricate it with soap or vegetable oil.

Tips & Warnings

• Kinking is a prime cause of leaks and damaged connections. To avoid problems, store your hose on a drumlike reel, either wheeled or wall-mounted.

• When you pause in watering, turn off the faucet; don't rely on the nozzle's shut-off valve. Water pressure that builds up in the hose can cause leaks.