Ideas & Inspiration
How to Prevent a Leaky Hose
Garden hoses take a lot of abuse from being dragged across the ground to being left out in the sun and often not being drained before freezing weather. A little TLC can make your hose last longer, so you don’t have to replace it as often.
Plus, preventing leaks and cracks saves water, so you reduce your water bills and help conserve an important natural resource.
1. Put your hose away after you use it. It’s tempting to drop it when you finish watering, but leaving your hose on the wet ground can lead to rot. You might also run over it the next time you mow, especially if it’s in weeds or high grass.
2. Drain your hose. To release the built-up pressure in the hose, turn off the water at the spigot. Then open the spray nozzle until all the water drains out. If you live in a cold climate, this also helps prevent bursting when trapped water freezes and expands.
3. Roll up the hose. Dumping it in a pile causes kinks and twists. Wind the hose on a cart or reel, store it on a wall-mounted holder or coil it inside a hose pot. For a decorative touch in your yard or garden, put it on an ornamental hose stand.
4. Keep the hose out of direct sunlight. Over time, UV rays can cause deterioration, leading to damage.
5. Avoid pulling the hose by the spray nozzle. This weakens the spot where the hose and nozzle connect, and it’s a major cause of leaks.
6. Fix pinhole leaks by drying the area around the leak and then applying rubber cement or bicycle tube glue. After the glue dries, wrap the area securely with plumber’s tape.
7. If water leaks between the hose and spigot, check the rubber washer inside the hose to see if it needs replacing. If the leak is in the hose itself, you may need to cut off the damaged part and use a hose repair kit to fix it.