Why is my garden tap/new hose leaking?

[Crafty424]

I’ve just bought my first hose pipe, set it up this morning and was disappointed to find it leaks badly when in use. It’s not the hose itself which is leaking but the tap connector that’s screwed into the tap. I’ve tried using the old connector, the new one that comes with the hose and with the new washer, and the new one and two washers and it still leaks. The water pressure builds up and comes out the top of it. I get the least amount of water with the two washers. I don’t know what else to try. Would some plumbing tape help? Or a metal connector instead of plastic? It’s a narrow hose rather than the a standard one if that makes a difference? Thanks.

 

[ETAF]

i have found a lot of the plastic connectors leak, but thats over time - sometimes from new
some ptfe tape mayhelp - is the plastic split at all

how tight does it screw up - maybe its a washer issue

size of hose should not matter

any dirt around the washer area at all

does the connector appear to screwup tight ????

i have swapped all my connectors to metal - purchased a load on offer at a garden show from spear&jackson

 

[endecotp]

Get a metal one:

1/2'' & 3/4'' Outdoor Tap Connector Pro | Secure Connections

1/2” & 3/4” Outdoor Tap Connector Pro fits 95% of outdoor taps, made from durable nickel-plated brass. Frost-resistant, easy to connect, leak-free connection.

www.hozelock.com

 

[Crafty424]

Thanks for the replies. I’ll try a metal one. Not the plastic isn’t split. A brand new one came with the hose and that still leaks.

 

[ETAF]

any dirt around the washer area at all

does the connector appear to screwup tight ????

 

[Crafty424]

Yes it’s screwed on tight. There’s no dirt as the connector is new.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks for the replies. I’ll try a metal one. Not the plastic isn’t split. A brand new one came with the hose and that still leaks.

Is it a quality item, many of the cheaper ones do leak. I find the ones sold by Lidl, under the name of Parkside, one of the better, more robust, quality ones, and not expensive.

 

[Atgni]

I baulk at the cost of the hoselock fittings and sprayers and then regret buying cheap that lasts no more than a season

Is it a quality item, many of the cheaper ones do leak. I find the ones sold by Lidl, under the name of Parkside, one of the better, more robust, quality ones, and not expensive.

I baulk at the cost of the hoselock fittings and sprayers and then regret buying cheap that lasts no more than a season. I will give the parkside ones a try

 

[oldbuffer]

Looks to be leaking from the tap's gland nut (small hexagonal nut below handle). Look for "sealing gland nut" on the internet for ways of stopping it.

 

[opps]

Looks to be leaking from the tap's gland nut (small hexagonal nut below handle). Look for "sealing gland nut" on the internet for ways of stopping it.

Agreed. It seems to be leaking from way above the nylon hose fitting.

Aside from the leaking spindle gland, many of the leaks that I encounter are the result of people leaving the tap open continually throughout the summer. I try to convince my customers to turn the tap off after each use and then let the pressure out of the hose. I have seen dozens of hoses that start bulging at connections because of the continuous pressure.

 

[ETAF]

Looks to be leaking from the tap's gland nut

thats what i thought - meant to say something about the photo = i had the same problem a while back and thought it was the hose leaking
worth tightening that up

 

[Crafty424]

I think you’re right it’s leaking from the nut above. Is this something I can fix myself or do I need a plumber? Thanks

 

[Crafty424]

Update: I have just tightened up the nut with a spanner and now the hose it working without any leaks. I’m very pleased. Thank you for your input and helping me with my first plumbing job!

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

For future reference, if a tap starts leaking around the gland, an easy repair is, (after isolating the supply), to open the tap fully, then slacken off and lift up the Gland nut. Wind a few turns of PTFE tape around the spindle, and push down into the gland using the nut, before tightening the nut once more. Turn off tap, restore supply.