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^◆ Bent hose fitting

^◆ Leaky garden hose

^◆ Leaky or broken sink sprayer

by Jeffrey Larson

Replace a bent hose fitting

Click Image to enlarge.

That garden hose sprawled across the driveway just became a hit-and-run victim again. But this time, the fitting got squished and won’t accept a spray nozzle anymore. Fortunately, you don’t have to replace the entire hose. In 15 minutes flat, you can replace the damaged fitting with a new, high-quality, heavy-duty brass fitting for about $5. Less expensive versions are also available. Hardware stores, home centers and garden supply centers generally stock a couple of types of new hose fittings. The one you buy may not match the one in the photos exactly, but installation should be similar.

Start by removing the damaged fitting (Photo 1). Determine the size of your hose by measuring the inside diameter. It will be 1/2 in., 5/8 in. or 3/4 in. Buy the corresponding size fitting, or better yet, take the damaged fitting to the store for a guaranteed match.

Photos 2 and 3show how to install the new hose fitting. If it’s difficult to slide the collar onto the hose, lubricate the hose with liquid hand or dish-washing soap. Finish up by using a pair of adjustable pliers to firmly tighten the collar.

1 Cut completely through the hose about an inch back from the damaged fitting. Use a sharp utility knife and keep the cut square.

2 Slide the new fitting collar a couple of inches onto the garden hose. Then push the threaded coupling onto the cleanly cut hose end, wrapping the finger grips around the outside.

Click Image to enlarge.

3 Slide the collar over the finger grips and screw it to the threaded coupling. Tighten the fitting snugly with a pair of adjustable pliers.

Mend a leaky hose

If you’ve got a cracked or punctured garden hose that sprays water all over, this fix is for you. If you cut out the leaky section and splice the hose back together, you won’t have to throw it out. Garden hose splices are easy to install and are available at hardware stores, home centers and garden supply centers for about $3.

Cut off the leaky hose section (Photo 1). Several inches of hose around the leak will probably be stressed as well. Cut back to solid hose, removing all damaged or weakened sections. Measure the inside diameter of the garden hose to determine the splice size needed. The hose will be 1/2 in., 5/8 in. or 3/4 in. Buy the same size splice.

Install the splice between the two severed hose ends (Photos 2 and 3). Use liquid hand or dishwashing soap to lubricate the splice barbs and hose interiors so they go together smoothly.

Click Image to enlarge.

1 Cut the hose a few inches on each side of the damage to remove any weakened or stressed material. Use a sharp utility knife and keep the cut square.

Click Image to enlarge.

2 Dismantle the hose splice. Lubricate the splice barbs and hose interiors with liquid soap. Stand the splice upright on a workbench and push one cut end over the barb until the hose is fully seated. Twist the other cut end onto the other barb by hand until it’s also fully seated.

Click Image to enlarge.

3 Sandwich the clamps around the barbs and tighten the screws snugly. Don’t torque the screws too hard or the plastic threads might strip.

Replace a sink sprayer and hose

Over time, sink sprayers often break or become clogged with mineral deposits. Or the sprayer hose can harden and crack or wear through from rubbing against something under the sink. The best solution in these cases is replacement.

You can pick up just the sprayer head ($5) or ahead and hose kit ($10) at a home center or hard-ware store.

Photo 1 shows how to remove the entire sprayer head and hose assembly. You may be able to get a small open-end wrench up to the sprayer hose nipple, but space is very tight. If there isn’t enough room to turn the wrench, you’ll have to purchase a basin wrench ($15 to $25at home centers and hard-ware stores). If your sprayer hose is in good condition, simply unscrew the head and replace it(Photo 2).

1 Use an open-end or basin wrench to unscrew the sprayer hose from the hose nipple. Pull the old sprayer and hose out of the sink grommet. Slide the new hose through the grommet on top of the sink and reconnect it to the faucet.