Fittings Galore!

Did you know that there are more than 8 types of fittings for garden hoses. All of the fittings can serve a separate purpose, or some can be used together to complete a task. Whether you garden hose is leaking and needs to be repaired, or you need to accomplish a somewhat difficult job, adding a fitting to your hose may be your very best option.

Adapters
With a garden hose adapter, you can attach your garden hose to nearly any type of water source. The adapters come in either plastic or brass and can fit nearly any size of spigot. An adapter is also handy if your hose is leaking where it attaches to the spigot. Finding an adapter that fits the spigot more tightly will reduce the leak and save on water.

Bushings
Bushings are used if you need to attach two items. These are ideal for garden hoses, especially if your water spigot is far away from the area where you need water. By attaching two water hoses you get twice the length without having to ruin either hose. When you are through, simply detach the bushing and separately roll up your hoses.

Couplings
Couplings work much the same way as bushings do. Couplings are used, you guessed it, in couples or pairs. When using couplings you must first attach one of the pair to the end of one garden hose and then attach the other part of the couple to the other hose. You then simply attach the two couple parts and you have a longer hose to accomplish whichever job you see fit.

Elbows
Have you ever needed to take your hose around a corner, but the minute you get that accomplished, you discover there is a kink in the hose? One simple way to combat this common problem is to install an elbow to two hoses. By attaching each end of the elbow to the separate hoses you will be able to turn corners without the hassle of trying to avoid kinks.

Nuts and Plugs
Nuts and plugs are great quick fixes for a hose that needs mending. If your hose is leaking at the spigot, it is possible that the nut and washer attached to the spigot have rusted and need to be replaced. By simply screwing the nut onto the spigot you can avert that problem. Plugs are used if your hose has a small hole. Simply insert a correctly sized plug to repair the hose until you have the time to properly repair the hose.

Menders
Menders can be purchased in nearly any size and used to, yes, mend your garden hose. The simplest way to mend a garden hose with a sizeable hole in it, is to cut away that section of hose. Once you have cut out the hole, attach both ends of the hose into the mender and your hose will be as good as new!