How to Replace the End Fitting on a Garden Hose

A quality garden hose can last several years, but common mishaps, such as driving over the end of your hose, can easily shorten its life. When faced with this problem, you might think your only option is to toss the hose in the trash and run out to your local home improvement store to purchase new one. But, if you’re a DIY gardener, you can easily put your hose back into like-new working order by using an inexpensive hose repair kit to replace the end fitting.

Cut the End Off

1. Put the end of the hose with the damaged fitting on a flat surface such as a workbench. Rest the blade of a utility knife on top of the hose, 2 inches from the fitting. While holding the blade vertical, straight up and down, apply downward pressure to make a straight and square cut through the hose. To avoid any ragged edges, keep the pressure constant for a smooth cut.

Purchase a Repair Kit

2. Take the cut-off end to a home improvement or hardware store and select the correct repair kit to fit your hose -- most hoses have a diameter between 1/2 and 1 inch. In addition to matching the hose size, you have a few other options to consider. Replacement fittings, typically made of metal or plastic, fit either the male or female end of the hose. If you're unsure which end you have, the male end has the threads on the outside and the female has the threads on the inside. Some kits have a circular, metal clamp that you slide onto the hose and others have a two-piece clamp -- two halves that fit around the hose and held together with screws.

Insert the Fitting

3. If you purchased a kit with a circular clamp, first, slide it onto the cut end of the hose. Insert the tapered, ribbed end of the fitting into the end of the hose. Push the replacement fitting into the hose as far as it will go. For best results, the end of the hose must be butted up tight against the wider, base of the fitting.

Tighten the Clamp

4. If you've already slid on a circular hose clamp, slide it up to about 1/4-inch from the end of the hose. Take a screwdriver and tighten the clamp's screw to secure it to the hose. If your kit has a two-piece clamp, place one clamp half on each side of the hose close to the fitting and align the screw holes. Insert the provided screws and tighten the two halves together with a screwdriver.

Test the Repair

5. Connect your hose to an outdoor faucet and attach a spray nozzle to the other end. Turn on the water and check the end with the replaced fitting. If you notice any leaks, tighten the clamp screw(s) until the leaking stops.