At the same time I’m not naive enough to think that somebody threw away a garden hose because it was in good working order.
I ended up finding a small hole in the hose. But for $1.92 I fixed the hose and now it works perfect.
Have you thrown out a garden hose that has a hole, or because one of the ends got run over by a car or the lawn mower?
Does it drive you crazy if you see a little drip coming from one of the ends?
Stop fretting over your hose and fix it yourself!
Confession time. I just learned how to fix these common problems… The good news? So can you!
Fixing the Female End
Most hoses are 5/8 inch or 1/2 inch. If it’s dripping where the female end connects to the spigot or hose most likely you need to simply replace the rubber washer inside.
You can get a 10 pack for under $4.
You replaced the washer and it’s still leaking. Many times it leaks on the metal ribs of the hose. If that’s the case you need to fix it.
- Make a clean/straight cut through the hose
- Purchase a female mender for your size hose. Not sure of the size? Bring a piece of your hose to the hardware store.
- I like the metal ones that use a simple hose clamp, picture 1 (much cheaper than the metal clamp with screws, picture 2).
- Put the clamp over the hose and then push the mender as far as it allows.
- Tighten the clamp about a quarter of an inch below the top of the mender and tighten along one of the ribs.
Fixing the Male End
Once again start with a washer check. It’s always a good idea to replace the washer if unsure.
- Make a clean/straight cut through the hose
- Purchase a male mender for your size hose. Not sure of the size? Bring a piece of your hose to the hardware store.
- I like the metal ones that use a simple hose clamp, picture number one (much cheaper than the metal clamp with screws, picture 2). I ended up using one similar to picture 3 because I had an extra lying around the house.
- Put the clamp over the hose and then push the mender as far as it allows.
- Tighten the clamp about a quarter of an inch below the top of the mender and tighten along one of the ribs.
Fixed Male End
Fixing a hole in the middle of the hose
- Make a clean/straight cut through the hose.
- Purchase a mender for your size hose. Not sure of the size? Bring a piece of your hose to the hardware store.
- If the hose doesn’t have a line make one with a Sharpie marker. Combine the line to keep the same curve in the hose otherwise the hose will not want to wrap properly.
- Make sure clamp is nice and tight (use a socket wrench if you can’t tighten enough with a regular screw driver.
I prefer using metal because they last longer and have less problems even though they cost a little more.
With the first mender you need to know the exact size of the hose but costs a lot less than the second mender.
They also come in the plastic variety like picture 3.
Hello buddy,
I really enjoy your blog and your work is quite interesting.
I have to appreciate your work andefforts..
It is incredible.
Best regards,
Balle Hessellund
I never knew there was a female and male parts for a hose. Thanks for the information 😊
cool
I rent a small apartment attached to my landlord’s house, wish I could have a hose. I would love to learn to grow some flowers and a few vegetables.
Thank you for the great information and helpful tips..They are very useful.🤗
I keep parts on hand, hoses are going to mess up sooner or later. I have switched mainly to the flexible hoses. I keep repair parts on hand for them to. I like the flexible hoses because they are lighter and easier to drag around. Downside is they aren’t as durable as the standard garden hose.
I leave all this stuff to my husband 🙂
Great post! Thank you!
Great info I always just got rid of and got a new one, never even thought to try to fix it.
Thanks for the tips! I always throw away hoses when they have holes in them, never thought about fixing them
Thanks for the tips Love to learn more
Havent bought a hose in years because my neighbors know to give me their broken ones som I can fix them..
very helpful, thanks!
This is good to know. I didn’t realize they have repair kits.
great tips for keeping it out of the landfill
You have no idea how many hoses I have thrown away.
I always seem to wind up with a hole in a new hose. I swear, I don’t abuse it, lol, but I manage to damage the hose every time, usually in just a few weeks. Buying new ones can get pricy.
I didn’t know you could do this, I’m happy I read your article, thank you very much.
Thanks for the information! I love the fact you go step by step and have photos.
Thanks for the tips!
Thank you I always end up with holes in my hoses and now I can go back to this BLOG! Very helpful!
Thanks for the helpful tips. I have thrown out several garden hoses.