How to Repair Expandable Hose

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With modern inventions come things that make life easier. Well, expandable hoses are a welcome addition into the world of garden hoses. They are, in fact, a revolutionary change that made watering plants, washing cars, and shifting water from one place to another more enjoyable for home chores enthusiasts.

As the name suggests, expandable hoses are a new type of garden hoses that can expand up to 3 times the original length when water applies its pressure on it. It then contracts to the original length when not in use. This immense flexibility makes this type of garden hoses non-kinking, self-draining, and resistant to tangling.

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Certainly, you should be asking yourself how it achieves all these. Well, they are designed with two layers in it. There is an inner tube through which water flows, and a relatively tough outer fabric made of nylon. The inner lining is made of special elastic rubbers, specifically latex.

Expandable hoses are usually fixed with a shut-off valve such that when water is turned on from the entry side, it blocks it. This builds up pressure within the inner tube, which starts to expand, reaching its full length. Upon reaching the full length, the shut-off valve is turned on, and the hose works like any other garden hose.

Types of Leaks Necessitating Repair?

Before getting down to repairing your expandable hose, it is of much essence to determine first where the hose is leaking from. This isn’t a difficult task, but depending on the location of the leak, you will identify how severe the problem is and the effort required to repair it. This also determines the tools you will require for the repairing process.

For instance, if your expandable hose leaks where it connects to the water tap, you could be having a problem with the spigot or hose fitting. Ruling out the faucet issue requires that you unscrew the hose and turn the water on.

If water splashes from around the handle, the hose’s packing washer could be possibly worn out, or the packing nut could require better tightening. If the water leaks when your hose is connected to the faucet, you should check to confirm if the water is leaking around the connection or below the fitting.

Most importantly, if your expandable hose is leaking from a pinhole or a crack on the hose itself, don’t give up. They are easy to mend provided the hole doesn’t span a significant length of the hose or has multiple leaking sites. Causes of such leaks include unintentional accidents such as cuts by garden tools.

Repairing a Leaking Expandable Hose

There is nothing stressful as experiencing leaks within your expandable hose. If you happen to feel the pinch of this, don’t be in a rush. Well, you could be losing some water through the leaks, but it is important that you conduct a one-time repair that solves the issue.

That said, there are several things to watch out during the repair process. For starters, as stated before, any expandable hose is made up of two parts, including the expansive inner tube and outer covering that protects the inner tubing.

Since the tube is soft and expandable, if you cut it without holding on the tube, it will likely slingshot back into the tubing’s cover, making it difficult to fish out. Additionally, if you the connector area is the part that needs to be repaired, you should disassemble the ends by unscrewing the various parts and hold the tubing as you cut both the cover and tubing.

  • The first step basically involves identifying the location of the leak. It could either be at the hose end or within the length of the hose. The location of the hose determines how you will conduct the repair. That said, check out how to deal with these two conditions that can present.
  • Repairing Leaks in the Middle of the Hose
  • Follow the steps below to repair the middle leaks within your expandable hose.
  • Connect your expandable hose to the spigot and turn the faucet water on. This pumps water into the hose, making it expand and expose the leak. You will need a pair of locking pliers and scissors or a sharp knife.
  • Locate the leak and using the locking pliers to hold onto the hose. Don’t do this tightly as you might create new holes. Hold the hose a few inches at both sides from the hole.
  • Turn off the water supply for the hose to return to its original length.
  • Ensure that the pliers have a good hold that clamps the covering and inner tubing.
  • Cut both the covering and the inner tubing of the hose close to the leak as possible.
  • Retract the covering and inspect the inner tubing for holes and punctures. In that condition, the punctures will likely be tiny due to the expandable and flexible nature of the tubing. If you doubt there are other punctures, it is best if you cut at least several inches from each side of the hole’s location.
  • For repairs in the middle part of the hose, use the ½” barbed coupling. Apply some soapy water to lubricate the coupling for an easy installation.
  • Trim some piece off the material you removed from the tube. Place this piece over the inner tube to provide more protection to the inner tube from the clamp.
  • Proceed to slide the inner tube over a barbed coupling connector then slide your cut piece over the barbed connector.
  • Hold the tubing firmly over the barb coupling, pull the outer cover, and apply a wire clamp on the outer cover to secure both sides of the hose.

Repairing a Leak at the Hose End

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Repairing a hose puncture at the end of the hose is slightly different from repairing one on its length. Well, check out the difference below.

  • Like the other procedure, connect the hose to the spigot and turn on the water supply to expose the leak. You will also require locking pliers and a scissor or sharp knife. You will additionally need something to cut the metal ferrule that is crimped to the hose end. Most people use a file.
  • Unscrew the expandable hose end and slide the collar down to some distance.
  • Fold a cardboard over the inner tubing some inches below the leak and clamp the hose with locking pliers.
  • Cut through the crimp that holds the tubing using the file or any other tool.
  • Cut the tubing a few inches below the leak.
  • Using soapy water, lubricate the hose end to ease installation.
  • Once lubricated, slide the inner tubing at the hose end fitting over the barbed end.
  • Lastly, release the locking pliers and slide the outer cover over the inner tubing. Secure it with a wire clamp to prevent it from retracting back.

Maintenance Tips for Expandable Hoses to Last Long

Like any other garden hoses, expandable hoses have their own problems. However, such problems can be solved or prevented by proper maintenance. Before diving into the various maintenance tips for expandable hoses to prolong its lifetime, it is important to highlight the various problems associated with expandable hoses.

There are several incidents where hoses burst or leak and in some cases, fail to expand as expected. Some of the reasons these may happen include;

  • Poor technology
  • If the manufacturer’s instructions aren’t followed
  • Poor quality materials or construction by manufacturers

As mentioned, most expandable hoses are made from TPC or latex inner tube. The issue with TPC is that they might not be strong enough and may burst after a few days. Latex is comparably tough regardless of the number of layers used but result in chemical reactions when used with brass connectors. This may produce toxic chemicals that may result in hose leaks or bursts.

To lengthen your hose’s life, put in place the following practices.

  • Always ensure that the shut off valve is off before filling the hose with water when using it for the first time. This gives enough time for the hose to expand and stretch to its limits. Once fully expanded, open the valve to release the water and repeat the process again before using it.
  • Use the 9 setting spray nozzle on the hose.
  • Remember to turn the water source off when not using the hose.
  • Squeeze the hose nozzle to drain any left water completely and allow it to contract to its original length.
  • Don’t use the expandable hose for ferrying drinking water.
  • Don’t leave the hose out in the sun for lengthy periods.
  • Don’t leave it outside exposed to extreme cold/winter conditions.
  • Take caution when using the hose in rough concrete or sharp edges.
  • Store your hose indoors or on a shade to increase its life.

Conclusion

Expandable hoses expand three times when in use and are approximately five times lighter than other garden hoses. This eliminates the worries associated with storage and portability. All you need to do is turn the water on and give it time to expand. When you are done, switch the water off, it self-drains and coils back to its original length saving time and energy.

Nonetheless, it isn’t free from occasional leaks and punctures associated with traditional hoses. Also, if such occurs, they are quite hard to repair. However, worry not as the guide above gives you step-by-step insights on how to go about the repair process.

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