This Old Hose: Fixing It Up and Replacing It

It’s an unspoken law of yardwork that a garden hose always stops just short of where you need it. But tugging on the hose to gain the last bit of ground only shortens its life. Eventually, a spray of water at one of the couplings tells you it’s time to fix the hose or pitch it.

You can stop the leaks with replacement couplings, of which there are several styles. Quick-disconnect fittings are great, but they’re not cheap. There’s also an older type of coupling that requires you to bend metal tabs around the end of the hose to secure it. But these are more leak-prone and harder to install.

The most practical are two-part plastic replacements, which consist of a fitting that slips inside the hose and a clamp tightened with two screws; they cost less than $2 each. The only tools you need are a knife and a screwdriver. Do the job right, and the repairs shouldn’t leak.

If your hose is beyond repair, replace it with a bargain model only if you don’t use a hose often. But be aware that cheap hoses are thinner, less pliable and more susceptible to bursting. The best hoses coil easily and have heavily reinforced, multiple plies and heavy-duty brass hardware. Also look for a lifetime warranty.

A high-quality 50-foot, five-eighths-inch hose costs $25 to $30.

You should take care of your new hose. After each use, shut off the water, relieve the pressure in the hose and store it on a reel, not slung over a nail. At the end of the season, disconnect and drain the hose, and store it indoors.