The garden hose market is expected to be worth a whopping $1.5 billion by 2027. Why? Because many people simply throw away their hose when they encounter an issue.
Does your hose leak, have kinks, get clogged, or more? What you might not know is that most common garden hose problems can be fixed. You just need to learn to identify them.
And once you can do that, your garden hose will last for years!
As one of the leading suppliers of garden tools globally, we've put together some handy tips for caring for your garden hose all year round. Below, we share maintenance, cleaning tips, and dos and don'ts to keep your garden hose in the best condition.
So read on!
Leaks
Perhaps unsurprisingly, leaks are one of the most common garden hose problems.
Promptly addressing leaks reduces water waste and ensures you’re not left with an enormous water bill. It also prolongs your garden hose's lifespan.
Leaks are caused by various issues, but most often are the fault of:
- Worn washers
- Damaged connectors
- Punctures
To find a leak in your hose, be on the lookout for sprays of water or drips anywhere along its length. Regularly check the hose connectors and nozzle are screwed on tightly. Bend the hose to check for cracks or holes.
If you find a leak, it’s not the end of the world. You can usually repair it.
First, replace any worn washers or damaged connectors. If the hose is punctured, patch it with a repair kit. The kit contains glue and a patch made of the same material as the hose.
Clogs
Even the best garden hose gets clogged from time to time. It happens when dirt, debris, or—in areas with hard water—minerals build up inside the hose. This reduces the size of the hose.
You might have a clog if you’re experiencing:
- Reduced water flow
- Low pressure (more on this later)
- A total lack of water
(Note that these issues could be caused by various factors, so keep that in mind when trying to find the clog.)
So, how do you find and fix a clog?
First, you’ll need to locate the blockage. To do this, disconnect the hose from the faucet, remove the nozzle, and look through the hose. You can insert a plumber's snake if it’s too long to look through end to end. It will either:
- Clear the clog—fixing the problem for you
- Get stuck—you know you have a serious blockage
- Go through smoothly—a clog isn’t your issue
You can also flush the hose with water or squeeze the hose to see if you can feel the build-up.
Safety first: Don a pair of garden gloves and protective eyewear. You never know what might come from the hose once you start trying to clear it!
Kinks and Crimps
Few things are more frustrating to a gardener than continually stopping to release yet another kink in your garden hose.
One of the most common causes of kinks and crimps is buying a cheap garden hose. These hoses are made of flimsy material that, once exposed to the elements, loses its strength rapidly. Another reason you might get crimps is that you’re improperly storing your hose once you’ve finished using it.
So, what can you do about these problems?
Try storing your garden hose in a purpose-made hose holder. These come as a generously sized hook or a roll-on wheel.
Another great way to avoid pesky crimps is to invest in a high-stretch hose. These hoses are made of high-tensile material that snaps back into place as soon as you release them. Therefore, they’re far less likely to crimp as a slacker hose material can.
You could also simply coil your hose flat on the ground to avoid sharp bends and twists.
If you have a stubborn kink you need to fix, try:
- Straightening the hose as much as possible and running water through it
- Manually massaging the kink out with your hands
- Cutting out the kinked section of the hose and reattaching the connectors
Low Water Pressure
You might have low water pressure for several reasons: a partially closed valve, a leak or kink, or sometimes governments restrict access due to drought.
Whether you’re using an expandable garden hose or any other type, low water pressure will affect your ability to give your garden the sustenance it needs.
To troubleshoot this issue, first, check the hose for kinks. Next, check the faucet or valve to ensure it's fully open. Finally, flush your hose with vinegar to remove mineral buildup.
If none of these solutions work, it’s time to call the plumber to check the water pressure in your home.
Incompatible Attachments
The last, and perhaps most frustrating, issue you might encounter with a garden hose nearby is attachments that don’t fit.
Picture this.
You’ve gone to the garden store, asked the store clerk which fittings and fixtures to complete your garden hose set up, and bought their recommended products. Then, you get home, head out to your garden, and try to get them onto your hose; they don’t fit!
Water is squirting out of the base of the spray nozzle (not the end where it’s supposed to), and the faucet is leaking like a sieve.
Check that you’ve installed the attachments according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you’ve completed that process correctly and they’re still not working, it’s time to head back to the shop.
Take photos of your faucet and hose, and always remember to keep your purchase receipt so you can exchange the ill-fitted items.
Get Your Garden Hose Working Again
If you’re having trouble with your garden hose, fret not!
Work your way through the list above to troubleshoot your problem. Then, once you know what’s going wrong, follow our advice and get it fixed. Hopefully, this will ensure the hose you have now has a long life, and you can stop spending on new hoses yearly.
Are you looking for top tools for your garden retail or landscaping business? GOGREEN specializes in tools for the home and garden, and we ship our products around the world.
Take a look at our selection of high-quality garden hoses.
