Green-er Gardening: Repair A Garden Hose

I needed to replace the nozzle on my garden hose, but it had rusted to the brass coupling and no amount of rust cleaner or brute force would separate the two. If you have a rusted or leaking coupling, there is a very quick and inexpensive way to repair it so you don’t have to send your hose to the landfill.

To replace the coupling on your hose you need a:

• utility knife,
• screwdriver,
• male connector and
• coupling repair clamp.

The repair is as easy as:

1. cutting off the end of the hose with the utility knife,
2. slipping the clamp over the hose,
3. inserting the connector and
4. tightening the screws to secure the clamp.

As quick and easy as this project is, there are a few lessons that I learned and would like to share.

First, measure the width of your garden hose before you head to the hardware store. There’s nothing more frustrating than coming home with the wrong parts.

Second, spring for the more expensive metal clamp style. There are many types of hose menders. The style I used is $6-10, but it’s the easiest to apply, creates a secure seal and will last longer than plastic fittings which are $3-5.

Bonus Tip

If it’s the opposite end of your hose that’s leaking, you probably need a new washer. Take the existing washer to the store with you to make sure you get the right size replacement.

Nicole Gagliardi

Nicole knows making small changes for the greener add up over time and hopes you’re inspired to make some changes of your own after reading her articles. She focuses on easy, green, homemade personal products and green living tips for city dwellers. Nicole lives in Pittsburgh, PA and you can find her on twitter at @_nlg_.

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