How to Repair a Garden Hose Split

A good garden hose plays an important role in keeping plants healthy, but old hoses may experience splitting and leaking. Instead of throwing away a damaged hose, you can repair a split or punctured section by buying a special hose repair coupling kit at a hardware store. Applying a hose coupling kit involves a few relatively simple steps; the most important part is making sure you get a coupling that will work for your hose.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sharp utility knife
• Hose coupling kit
• Soap
• Screwdriver

1. Use a sharp utility knife to make a clean cut on either side of the damaged hose section and remove that section from the hose.

2. Take the damaged hose section with you to a hardware store and ask the clerk to recommend a hose coupling or splicing kit that will fix the hose. Hoses can be made of vinyl or rubber and be different diameters, so it is important to get a kit designed for your type of hose.

3. Apply a little soap to the hose to make it easier to push the new coupling into the hose. Hose repair couplings often consist of two plastic clamps with a female plastic section that must be pushed into both sides of the hose.

4. Push the split ends of the hose into both coupling clamps.

5. Use a screwdriver to tighten the clamps.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid kinking your hoses and putting heavy objects on top of them if you want to keep them from splitting.
• If the metal end of your hose is damaged or bent, you can buy a new hose head kit, cut off the current head and attach a new one.
• If you have small leaks or holes in your hose, patch them with tight washers or tape.

References

• Lowes
• Reader's Digest

Resources

• Example of a clamp hose coupling