Many people assume that garden hoses are sturdy and will last a while. And sometimes, they can, but some more specific things can cause them to burst if you are not mindful.
A garden hose may dry out and split if exposed to the sun or freezing temperatures. Additionally, this might decay or grow mold if left outside in the rainy season. Your garden hose may also burst for various causes, including weak construction and repair, if left under constant pressure and used for the wrong purpose.
This article will describe the major cause of a garden hose burst and how to carry out an effective repair in such circumstances.
What Causes Garden Hose to Burst?
A garden hose is designed with a flexible tube that is usually made of reinforced rubber, plastic, or vinyl.
This material can be damaged for various reasons, and the number one reason is pressure.
1. Water Pressure
Water pressure is the force of water pushing against the walls of a hose.
When the water pressure is too high, it can cause the walls of the hose to weaken, eventually reaching a point where it can no longer withstand the pressure and bursts.
This can happen when a hose is exposed to high water pressure from the water source or when it is kinked.
2. General Wear and Tear
If you have been using the hose for a while, it may rupture like any other gardening item. This wear and tear are normal.
Remember that a good garden hose ought to last five to ten years. However, if you buy a cheap hose, you should be prepared for it to break down after a few years of use.
3. Clogging
Negligence may also cause hoses to burst. For instance, your garden hose can explode if you water your garden while stomping on it.
This is because water won’t be able to find a way out. As a result, there will be an increase in pressure that will lead to the hose bursting.
4. External factors
If you run over the hose with a lawnmower, it will instantly blow up. This kind of external damage is accidental; many others are gradual.
Extreme temperatures may cause additional exterior damage.
Extremely low or cold temperatures during cold weather and winter could lead the hose to freeze and fracture if the is residual water left inside the hose,
On the other hand, extreme heat could cause the hose to crack and break. High temperatures will heat the exterior walls of the hose during the day, which will cool by nightfall.
When this happens repeatedly, to heating and cooling effect will cause the hose to become brittle, and any excess pressure placed on the hose from the water source will cause it to break.
5. Improper usage
A garden is primarily designed to water lawns, flowers, or veggies.
If the hose is used for conducting other liquids other than pipe-borne water, such as oil or gasoline, it can cause unforeseen deterioration within the inner walls of the hose, causing it to burst when water pressure is applied.
6. Poor Quality Hose
A poorly constructed garden hose won’t even survive three years. A cheap garden hose is more likely to bend, kink, or fracture. So if one of these happens, they can burst.
7. Poor Repair
Your hose may rupture due to poor repairs. If the repairs previously made weren’t done correctly and you exert a lot of pressure on it, it will rupture easily.
Wrong Fittings
Your equipment may burst if you purchase fittings that aren’t designed for the hose or clamps and are of the wrong size.
Because of improperly sized tools, your hose could also burst if you use an outdated clamp on a modern hose.
8. Bad Construction
Poorly built garden hoses are more likely to malfunction, just like any other piece of equipment. Because of this, investing in a high-quality hose makes sense.
9. If it Gets Rolled Over By A Vehicle
A garden hose is made of a flexible material that can be easily damaged if it is rolled over by a vehicle.
The pressure from the vehicle’s weight can cause the hose to weaken and eventually burst. The pressure can also cause the hose to kink, which can lead to a weakened or burst hose.
What are the Weakest Points of a Garden Hose?
1. Connections:
Connections between the hose and the faucet or nozzle are the weakest points on a garden hose. Over time, the rubber seals and washers can wear down and cause leaks.
2. Kinks: Kinks
Kinks in the hose can weaken the structure and cause splitting or cracking. Kinked hoses should be replaced or repaired.
How to Easily fix a Broken Garden hose
Here are the methods to fix a leak if you’re having trouble.
Step 1: Find the leak. Mark it.
Connect the spray nozzle to the hose, then turn on the spigot to locate the leaking area. This will build pressure in the nozzle. Use a permanent marker to mark the area.
Step 2: Buy a Repair Kit
Get a repair kit from your neighborhood hardware or garden retailer. The kit will include a section of narrow hose and two clamps to repair a leak in the middle of the pipe.
Kits for hose leaks at the ends will come with a clamp and a threaded fitting. Purchase the gear that best matches your estimation of the leak in each scenario.
Ensure that you purchase the kit that includes the same material as the hose you are mending.
Step 3: Cut the hose
Cut the hose at the leak with a razor knife at the marked area. If the adjacent portion is worn, cut it off because leaks frequently occur in regions with a lot of wear.
Make a straight, accurate cut to ensure flawless repair.
Step 4: Soak the Hose
Take a bucket, and fill it with hot water to drown the hose ends at least 5 to 6 inches. Add some dish soap to the bucket.
Place the hose inside the bucket and let it stand for around five minutes. As a result, the hose will get warm and soften.
Step 5: Put the clamp on
Put the ends of each hose into one of the two clamps if the leak is in the center.
Put the end into the single clamp as you work on mending the end.
Step 6: Add a repair component and secure the fittings
Place a repair piece into one or both of the ends. Make sure to push the fitting evenly between the cut area of the hose when doing the center repair.
Place the clamps in a way that covers both sides of the hose. After that, tighten the clamps. Follow the same methods to fix just one end of the hose.
Can a garden hose be under constant pressure?
Garden hoses are not designed to be under constant pressure. They are designed to be used with a water source with regulated pressure, such as a faucet or a hose bib.
If the pressure is too high, it can cause the hose to burst or leak.
Your garden hose may rupture if it is subjected to pressure for an extended period. The hose could wastewater or cause water damage if it splashes on something.
The stem packing will feel the pressure, resulting in a leaking water valve.
Can Freezing Cause a garden hose to weaken?
Yes. When the water in a hose freezes, the water expands and eventually creates holes, weakening the hose’s inner lining.
You can sustain more harm if the hose is still connected to the house. The pipelines and water pressure in them may sustain damage.
How to Prevent a Garden Hose from Freezing
1. Keep the hose coiled up when not in use.
2. Move the hose indoors when it is not in use.
3. Insulate the hose with foam or rubber insulation.
4. Wrap the hose in a towel or blanket.
5. Install a heated water hose.
6. Keep the water running through the hose when not in use.
7. Use a hose with an internal heating element.
8. Place the hose on a heated surface.
9. Use an insulated hose-bib cover.
Best burst-proof garden hose
Forever Steel 304 Stainless Steel Hose is the best burst-proof garden hose. The stainless steel hose is heavy-duty and impossible to kink, knot, or puncture.
Forever has one of the highest burst strengths of all the hoses on the market.
Additionally, it is composed of 304-grade stainless steel, which means it stays cool in the sweltering sun and doesn’t freeze in the winter.
Rubber-based hoses are also good. You may consider them for their versatility and durability.
The Takeaway
This article helps explain why your garden hose might burst and what you can do to prevent it.
Follow the steps detailed in this article to troubleshoot your garden hose and get it working correctly again.
If it has worn out, invest in a new one, and with a bit of care, your garden hose will be as good as new.
