Drinking Hose Repair

[dragonheartt]

Over the years I have collected 3 drinking hoses. The hoses themselves is fine, the fittings leak.  Are there repair fittings available like the garden hose repair fittings you pick up at say Lowes?  I have looked at Lowes, Home Depot and Amazon; all the fittings say not for drinking water.  I would have thought Camco would make some, but I can't find any.  Anyone know? Thanks!

 

[Rene T]

I just went to Home Depots web site and didn't see where the fittings are not to be used for drinking hoses. Maybe the manufacturer had something on the boxes. Even so, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. I've used these repair fittings all my life and never had any repercussions.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Orbit-5-8-in-3-4-in-Zinc-Female-Hose-Mender-56688/205585047

 

[donn]

Aw heck, those cheezy Chinese lead filled hose fittings probably cost more than a new hose.  Why waste the time?

 

[Prior member]

For what it is worth: I have repaired a lot of hoses over the past thirty years and have always liked the fittings that were forced into the end of the hose and then held tight with a radiator clamp, (they used to come complete with the small clamp).
I recently bought some new ones and they are completely different and also completely useless. Instead of a clamp, they have a bunch of prongs that you squeeze into the hose using a pair of channel locks after you insert the fitting. I picked up several of them- one for 1/2" hose and the other for 5/8" to 3/4".
My hose was 1/2 Inch and the 1/2" fitting went in way too easy and I thought that it would never work and I was right. No matter how hard I squeezed the prongs the fitting leaked like a sieve.
Then I used the 5/8" to 3/4" one and put some vasoleine on it and pushed it in. I squeezed the prongs on that one as tight as I could get them and that also leaked like a sieve. I ended up    breaking all the prongs off the fitting, going into my goody box of stuff and using some small radiator type clamps and I now have a hose that doesn't leak
I should have returned the extras that I bought, but instead will use them as I did above, since I can't find the older type ones any place.

Jack L

 

[Rene T]

No matter how hard I squeezed the prongs the fitting leaked like a sieve. 

The prongs have nothing to do with sealing. They're only there to stop the fitting from blowing out under pressure. The barbed ridges on the fitting is what stops the water from leaking by.

 

[thelazyl]

I've been meaning to ask about potable water hoses.  I am new-ish to traveling by RV.  I purchased a white hose for which to connect the water.  I've had a heck of a time getting the hose to not leak when connected.  The washer looks good; the brass looks good.  At home I connect and there is no issue.  In RV parks it is, at best, a steady dribble at the faucet and at worst a drenching spray. This comes from the area where I suspect a washer is missing but it's not.  If too much water is leaking I simply fill the tank and then turn off the faucet.  I've concluded that the faucets at the RV parks I have visited are worn out or perhaps I need to use a wrench to get a better fit.  Or I am missing something obvious.  Any tips would be appreciated.  M

 

[Rene T]

I've been meaning to ask about potable water hoses.  I am new-ish to traveling by RV.  I purchased a white hose for which to connect the water.  I've had a heck of a time getting the hose to not leak when connected.  The washer looks good; the brass looks good.  At home I connect and there is no issue.  In RV parks it is, at best, a steady dribble at the faucet and at worst a drenching spray. This comes from the area where I suspect a washer is missing but it's not.  If too much water is leaking I simply fill the tank and then turn off the faucet.  I've concluded that the faucets at the RV parks I have visited are worn out or perhaps I need to use a wrench to get a better fit.  Or I am missing something obvious.  Any tips would be appreciated.  M

Replace the washer. Should be no reason to use a wrench also that may be the last resort.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Most such fittings simply don't say whether potable or not (I'm talking about lead-free brass, not plastic stuff). The don't test it or certify it, but lead-free brass is a reliable performer.  There may be some brass stuff around that still has lead, but I doubt it in a hose fitting where water is surely involved.
If you are still concerned, buy a new hose.

 

[irishtom29]

This thread just made me think of my days as a boilermaker and wrestling air hoses with Chicago fittings together. Those things could be a hassle but they didn?t leak. Haven?t thought about those things in 15 years.

 

[Prior member]

The prongs have nothing to do with sealing. They're only there to stop the fitting from blowing out under pressure. The barbed ridges on the fitting is what stops the water from leaking by.

Ha! Try a half inch one in a half inch hose. It will slide right out.
Even the 5/8" one in the 1/2"hose needed the hose clamp

I guess you haven't tried this new junk and I guess you didn't follow what I wrote above

Jack L

 

[Rene T]

Ha! Try a half inch one in a half inch hose. It will slide right out.
Even the 5/8" one in the 1/2"hose needed the hose clamp

I guess you haven't tried this new junk and I guess you didn't follow what I wrote above

Jack L

Yes I did follow what you said. You did say that "No matter how hard I squeezed the prongs the fitting leaked like a sieve"  What I was getting too, no matter how much you squeeze those prongs, they're not there to seal. Only to hold the fitting in the hose.

 

[touchracing]

I consider myself quite handy and thrifty but 25' camco water hose is $9 at Walmart. 

 

[Arch Hoagland]

I suspect you'll survive if you use regular hose repair parts. 

Drank out of regular hoses for the past 74 years and made it through unscathed.

 

[Gizmo100]

Drank out of regular hoses for the past 74 years and made it through unscathed.

It so funny people are worried about the hose/fittings. When they should really worry about the water in general.  ;D ;D

 

[msw3113]

I've had good luck with these repair fittings:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007968ZV4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Not inexpensive but they don't leak.

 

[Prior member]

Yes I did follow what you said. You did say that "No matter how hard I squeezed the prongs the fitting leaked like a sieve"  What I was getting too, no matter how much you squeeze those prongs, they're not there to seal. Only to hold the fitting in the hose.

Of course they hold the two ends to the fitting, but I was trying to warn the OP, that the fittings were useless with out a hose clamp that is not supplied with them. When you get them it is implied that the prongs are all that is required.
The next time you are in a hardware store or Lowes take a look at them and then come back and tell me how they are supposed to prevent the hose from leaking.

Jack L

 

[spdracr39]

I just spend the 30-40 dollars to buy a new hose and toss the old one since they last a few years I don't mind the investment. Not earth friendly but I guess I'm lazy.