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How to Replace a Hose Washer

November 14, 2021 by Angel Leave a Comment

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Have you ever accidentally soaked yourself while using a leaky hose nozzle? Or maybe your hose nozzle wastes water by dripping constantly.

You need to replace your hose washer! Discover how to remove your old, damaged hose washer and how to insert a fresh new one so you can quickly and easily prevent frustrating leaks.

Text reads, "How to use a hose washer." To the left of the text box is a photo of a person's hands holding a hose nozzle upside down and placing a red hose washer in the female connection.

This post includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission on purchases made at no additional cost to you.

What are garden hose washers?

There are an incredible number of hoses and hose attachments you can buy and use. Some are sturdier than others, some are novelty attachments like this mist stand by PMREINDL. However, the one thing which ruins any attachment, no matter how cheap or expensive, is a water leak. The best, easiest solution is a hose washer.

Garden hose washers are rubber, or silicone, gaskets which fit between two connecting hoses to minimize, or prevent, leaks. As the male hose is threaded on to the female hose, it squeezes the washer ensuring no water leaks out. We personally prefer silicone gaskets because they typically last longer. According to gasket and sealant manufacturer ElastoProxy, rubber gaskets have a shelf life of 3-5 years, but silicone gaskets can last up to 20. They write about gaskets in storage, so you may not get 20 years of use out of your hose washer, but it will certainly last much longer than a rubber one.

Our favorite hose washers are these silicone hose washers. They are not a name brand washer, but it doesn’t need to be because it works well. This is a pack of 40 washers, you will never buy another hose washer again. There is nothing special about this brand we simply like the large quantity, the fact that it works, and the low price. Check them out yourself.

PurDream Outdoor Garden Hose Silicone Washer Gasket, 40Pcs Red O-Rings...
PurDream Outdoor Garden Hose Silicone Washer Gasket, 40Pcs Red O-Rings...
  • 品牌持有人QQ51313022--☆Material Advantage-Hose washers made by high quality soft silicone (not rubber), better sealing than rubber.
  • 品牌持有人QQ51313022--☆Size-Silicone washer external diameter is 1 inches/ 25 mm, the internal diameter is 5/8 inches/ 15 mm, the thickness is...
  • 品牌持有人QQ51313022--☆Function-These soft silicone hose gaskets fit all standard 3/4" garden hose fittings. Prevents leakage between the water...
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How to replace a hose washer

The steps for removing an old hose washer and replacing it are illustrated, step-by-step, below. You can jump to the section you need or see the entire process in a quick video clip:

When to remove an old hose washer?

As garden hose washers age they start to deteriorate. If you’ve ever stuck your finger into an old hose and noticed a weird grime come loose, that is a hose washer which is past its useable life.

You can also tell if a hose washer needs replacing by looking inside the hose end. Look at the example below:

Photo is of the underside of a hose splitter. Inside the inlet is a deformed black hose washer.

If the hose washer has permanent indentations then it will also need replacing. The indentations will make it hard for a new hose to get a good fit in the existing washer and will therefore probably leak excessively.

Photo is of a deformed black hose washer with excessive wear.

You can also tell if the hose washer needs replacing if the hose connection leaks even after tightening sufficiently with a set of Channel Lock Pliers.

How to remove a hose washer?

The easiest way to remove a hose washer is by using a medium sized flat head screw driver. Insert the tip under the old hose washer and pry it out. If the hose washer falls apart or is too difficult to remove then a good set of needle nose pliers should help.

Photo is of a person prying out a hose washer with a flat head screwdriver.
Channellock S182a 1/8'Professional Slotted Screwdriver, 1/8-Inch X...
Channellock S182a 1/8"Professional Slotted Screwdriver, 1/8-Inch X...
  • High torque acetate handle for superior durability and solvent resistance
  • Custom heat-treated alloy steel blade
  • Nickel chrome finish for exceptional corrosion resistance
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How does a garden hose washer go in?

The easiest way to remove a garden hose washer is to place it with your fingers and then use a flat head screwdriver to push it to the bottom of the female hose connection.

Photo is a view of the underside of a hose nozzle which has some slight corrosion at the inlet and no hose washer.
Photo is of the underside of a hose nozzle and a red hose washer being placed into the inlet.
Photo is of a red hose washer being placed into a hose nozzle. The person is using their index finger to push in the washer.

Hose washers fit in any female hose end. Whether it is your brand new Flexzilla, a sprinkler attachment, or a brass hose nozzle, they can all be fitted with a garden hose washer to prevent leaks. For more information about hoses and attachments, be sure to check out these posts on the best lightweight hoses and the best high pressure hose nozzles.

Text "Tired of your old, kinked-up hose? Discover the best lightweight hoses! Click her to learn more" Next to a photo of a kinked hose with an X next to it and a not kinked hose with a checkmark.

How to fix a leaky hose connection

Inserting a new hose washer in the female end of a hose connection should fix just about any leak. To completely remove leaks you’ll need to connect the two hose connections and apply sufficient pressure to squeeze the washer to ensure a tight seal. Some hose attachments can be tricky to get a good grip to twist with your hands. I find quick connects to be the hardest to work with because of the all the smooth rounded parts and small plastic bits.

The best tool to tighten your hose connections are a good set of mole grips, vise grips, or Channel Lock Pliers. The key is a set of teeth that conforms to the roundness of a hose.

Channellock 432 Tongue and Groove Pliers, 10 In, Polished
Channellock 432 Tongue and Groove Pliers, 10 In,...
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IRWIN VISE-GRIP Original Locking Pliers Set with Wire Cutter, 2-Piece (36)
IRWIN VISE-GRIP Original Locking Pliers Set with...
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To super leak proof your hose connection

There is also a way to double leak proof your hose connections. Using plumber’s tape is my favorite way of leak proofing hose joints because it’s super cheap, simple, and it effective. Really, it adds an extra layer which the water needs to defeat to leak.

To use plumber’s tape you’ll need to wrap the male hose threads with enough tape to ensure no water gets through. Usually, about 4 to 6 wraps is enough to ensure a leak proof connection. Using too many wraps can be counterproductive and cause leaks, so don’t add more than 6 unless you really need to.

After you’ve wrapped the threads and inserted the hose washer, you are ready to connect the two hose pieces and enjoy a leakproof connection. Remember that undoing this connection will cause the plumbers tape to degrade therefore you’ll need to remove and replace the plumber’s tape before making up the connection again.

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4 Rolls 1/2 Inch(W) X 520 Inches(L) Teflon Tape,for Plumbers Tape,PTFE...
4 Rolls 1/2 Inch(W) X 520 Inches(L) Teflon Tape,for Plumbers Tape,PTFE...
  • Teflon tape has a sealing function to prevent the leakage of water or gas.
  • Each roll of teflon tape has a width of 1/2 inch and a length of 520 inches, which can be used multiple times.
  • Teflon tape is a necessity for plumbers, when you use any threaded pipes and you hope they will not leak water or gas, and plumbing tape has good...
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I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at how to replace a hose washer and find it helpful. If you’re frustrated with your hose or hose accessories, make sure to check out these guides to discover more about hoses, hose nozzles, and other hose accessories.

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Best Expandable Hoses (lightweight and kink-free hoses!)

Expandable hoses are kink-free, lightweight, and easy to use. Discover the best expandable garden hoses for your yard or garden.

5 Best Garden Hose Splitters (and one to avoid)

Tired of swapping hoses or unscrewing your hose just to use the tap to fill a bucket? Discover the best garden hose splitters and one to avoid.

Best Stainless Steel Garden Hoses: must-know lightweight, kink-free hoses

Stainless steel hoses are kink free and lightweight. Discover the best stainless steel garden hoses to keep your mouthy puppy from destroying yet another hose!

Best Garden Hose Quick Connects

Using a garden hose quick connect can help you save time, money on your water bill, and keep your clothes dry. Check out the best garden quick connects, including durable brass connectors that won't rot in the sun.

The Best Garden Hose Wands For a Healthy Garden & Increased Yields

A garden hose wand is a must if you're growing flowers, herbs, or vegetables. Discover how a hose wand can help you water more easily and have healthier plants.

Best Hose Shut Off Valves

Hose shut off valves can reduce water pressure and make turning water off and on eaiser.

Best Soaker Hoses For a Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Lawn & Garden

Soaker hoses are a simple way to save time and water.

The Best Garden Hoses to Last a Lifetime

Tired of your heavy, kinked-up hose? You need to discover this guide to the best garden hoses!

The Best Garden Hose Nozzles for a Healthy Lawn & Garden

The Best High Pressure Hose Nozzles

Ready to try blasting your gutters clean with a high pressure hose nozzle? Discover th best high pressure hose nozzles!

Best Lightweight Garden Hoses for Easy Carrying

Angel

Angel is a Cuban immigrant who grew up with backyard chickens and a yard-loving abuela. He is our “gear guy” who can never have too many pairs of gloves or weed whacker attachments.

Filed Under: Garden Hoses, Tools & Equipment

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