5 Steps to Repairing Pinhole Leaks in Your Garden Hose

Did you know that extreme temperatures can damage your garden hose? If you had a garden hose sitting outside during the heatwave over the past few weeks, you may want to check on it for pinhole leaks. Though small, pinhole leaks can cause major water loss if they go unnoticed. They are also important to repair early to prevent further damage to your hose.

Here are 5 steps to identifying and repairing pinhole leaks with items you likely have around the house:

1. 1. Grab a pen, a rag, and common electrical tape and head out to your garden hose
   2. Turn on the spigot and closely examine your hose for tiny leaks, marking any leaks with a pen*
   3. Turn off the spigot and disconnect your hose 
   4. Clean and dry any of the marked areas for repair
   5. Apply the electrical tape to the marked areas, overlapping the tape as you wrap it around the hose

Note: Don’t wrap it too tightly or the hose might crease

*If you discover larger tears, you may need more than electrical tape for a secure repair. Watch this tutorial for tips on how to repair large tears by cutting out the damaged section and replacing it with a mender.