A hose reel can be easily found in any home as it helps keep garden hoses neat and clean. But sometimes it also gets punctured or damaged for certain reasons. You can repair it at home or have to replace its essential parts which can lead to expensive expenses.
Some of the problems related to the hose reel are very easy to solve through repair and in fact; anyone can fix it with the help of some elementary spare parts along with the tools. Do-it-yourself repairs not only save your precious time, but also the expenses you might have to spend on buying new equipment or getting assistance from an expert repair service.
Regardless of the category of hose reel you buy, there always comes a time when it starts to leak through its attachment points or can get punctured. Repairing a leaking hose reel is not a difficult job to do. You can do a hose reel cart, wall mounted or retractable hose reel repair on your own by simply following a few important steps.
STEPS TO REPAIR A HOSE REEL
It is always recommended that you do not leave water in the hose reel during the winter as cold water can easily cause cracks or holes in the hose. Below are the step-by-step instructions that will help you fix a damaged or leaking hose reel in a very easy way:
Step 1 – Check All Connections
The first important step in this is to check all the connections. A hose reel usually has around five different connectors that are located at the beginning of the faucet, the main hose, the outlet tube, the garden hose, and the inlet tube. If your hose reel is leaking, you should try to tighten all connections before opting for expensive repairs or replacements. Sometimes a loose connector can also be the main culprit. When attaching the connectors, you must make sure to align the threads to avoid any kind of damage.
Step 2 – Replace Faulty O-Rings
Replacing faulty o-rings is one of the common repair steps that is usually required. Sometimes a hose reel also leaks when an o-ring dries out or cracks after using it for a long time. You can easily buy replacement o-rings at any hardware store or through online shopping websites. But before you buy an o-ring on your own, you should check the manufacturer’s guide or website to confirm what size o-ring is suggested for your particular model of hose reel.
Step 3 – Take out the panel
The next step is to remove the panel after turning off the water supply to the hose reel. After this, separate the hose and the real one. Now, you need to use a screwdriver to remove the 4 bolts that are on the knob side of the case and put them in a safe place. Then, separate the shield from the case to reveal the entire panel.
Step 4: Repair the new o-ring
Now, drive the center pull nut off of the knob using a 7/16 size plug puller and ratchet. Next, remove the knob from the kit and inspect the spindle. After this pull the black o-ring back through the shaft and install a new plastic o-ring. Put the knob on top of the shaft once more and tighten it before putting the whole panel in place and locking it with the 4 bolts.
Step 5: Lubricate Bushings
If the shaft is not yet attached, lubricate the bushings. It can be done by smearing a degreaser on a cloth or paper kitchen towel and spreading it over the axle, knob, bushings, and various other parts where the knob device moves the spool of the spool. Then set it aside and let it air dry completely before putting a coat of lubricant on the bushings.
Step 6 – Replace the Other Bad Connectors
There is one more o-ring washer on the hose reel connector which could be the cause of the hose reel leaking. To change this O-Ring, simply remove the washer from the hose reel connector with the help of a flathead screwdriver and replace it with a newer O-Ring. After this, if the connection still leaks, you may need to purchase a replacement connector.
Step 7 – Buy a Connector of the Exact Size
To replace a leaking connector, you must purchase a connector that is the correct size for your hose reel, and then cut the hose just below the faulty connector. Now connect a new hose connector with the help of the guide provided in the installation manual. In any case, should you need to replace the In-tube connector, you should purchase a repair tool kit that includes all the basic replacement parts.
Step 8 – Repair Faulty Main Hoses
If the main hose on the reel is leaking, then it is recommended that you purchase a hose repair tool kit as this will help save you the expense of purchasing a replacement hose. Simply cut the length of hose from where it is damaged and use the connectors in the kit to reattach the top of the hose. Small cuts or cracks in the hose reel can also be filled by using a piece of electrical tape or hose repair tape; However, these alternatives generally only offer a stopgap solution and tend to wear out in a very short period of time.
Step 9: Leak Prevention
There is a trick to extend the short lifespan of hose rings, that is, apply a little silicone grease to them at the time of installation. But you have to be careful when attaching the end of a metal hose to the plastic one.
