Pressure washers have evolved into the ideal cleaning tool for difficult tasks. They’re quick and efficient, and their hose is much stronger than a normal hose.
This durability, however, doesn’t protect it from kinking. If you’ve ever worked with hoses, you’ll know that kinking is just bound to happen.
Keep reading to learn how to keep the pressure washer hose from kinking.
What Causes Kinking in a Pressure Washer Hose?
Even though it’s thicker and more durable than a regular hose, a pressure washer hose can still kink every so often. When this happens, you must deal with the situation immediately because if the hose kinks excessively, it’ll weaken over time and become more prone to blowouts.
Before we get into how to keep the hose from kinking, let’s take a look at what causes it in the first place. Here are three possible causes:
1. Twisted Hose
When you continue to use a curled-up hose, you weaken the bent parts. Consequently, you’ll notice kinks in your hose sooner or later.
2. Improper Storage
One of the most common causes of kinking is wrapping the hose incorrectly. Below, we’ll go over some steps on how to properly store it.
3. Constant Pulling
When you pull the hose too hard, the connection at the pump becomes strained. That’s why you shouldn’t use the hose to pull the pressure washer.
How to Keep Pressure Washer Hose From Kinking
Here are four simple tips that can help you extend the life of your pressure washer hose and prevents it from kinking:
Keep It Straight
Always check that the hose behind you is straight and not curled up in any way. Further, if you didn’t wrap it properly and it became tangled, the least you can do is detangle it before using it.
Store It Properly
When you’ve finished using the washer, it’s time to store it the right way. The preparation process won’t take long and will aid in the prevention of kinks and cracks.
Not to mention that the next time you use the hose, you won’t have to worry about detangling it. Believe me, your future self will be grateful for the time and effort you saved them.
When it comes to storage, here’s what you should do:
1. Detach the Hose
Disconnect the hose after turning off the pressure washer and turning off the water supply.
2. Stretch the Hose on the Ground
Lay the hose on the ground after disconnecting it. That’s to untangle any twisted part so that the hose is laid in a straight line before wrapping it.
If there isn’t enough room for the hose to be laid in a single line, make two parallel lines.
A word of caution: place the hose on a soft or smooth surface such as grass. If you drag the hose over rough surfaces like gravel, it’ll wear out and deteriorate faster.
3. Drain Excess Water
Carry the hose from one end over your shoulder to drain any remaining water. Keep moving the hose on your shoulder with your hands to ensure there’s no water stuck anywhere.
This step is critical for protecting the inner layer of your hose. Mold could grow in the hose if it’s not properly drained after use.
4. Wrap the Hose
Start coiling after skipping 2-3 feet from one end of the hose. We’ll need those 2-3 feet, referred to as the tail later on to secure the wrap.
Make loops between 1-2 feet in diameter. Keep coiling until there are 3-2 feet left on the other side of the hose, just like we did on the other end.
Hold the tail and begin coiling it around the loops you’ve created. Continue coiling until the tail is inside the wrapped hose but only just reaching the center point. Then, repeat with the other tail.
When coiling both tails, make sure they form a firm grip but not an overly tight grip. Finally, connect the two tails by connecting their connection valves.
Alternatively, you can wrap the hose with a pressure washer reel. A reel can be a very good investment as it protects your hose from being stepped on. Besides, it’s simple to set up and use.
Use With Caution
Don’t drag the pressure washer around with the hose. As explained previously, this weakens the connectors and makes the hose more susceptible to kinking.
When you want to reposition the pressure washer, pause, hold it, and move it, then continue to use the hose.
Add a Protective Layer
For maximum protection, consider purchasing a protective layer to add to your hose.
A split wire loom is an affordable option. The split wire loom fits perfectly on the water pressure hose, preventing kinking and abrasion.
How to Repair a Pressure Washer Hose Leak
If you find that the hose of your pressure washer is leaking, don’t worry, there’s an easy way to fix that.
Never consider covering the leak with your hands. The force with which the water is released can cause serious injury.
Even if the hole is small, don’t cover it with your hand because the water pressure can break through at any time.
Moreover, using tape, glue, or blockers won’t help. The pressure will eventually build up and burst through the patched hole.
Here are the steps to repairing the hose leak:
- Use a sharp blade to cut the leaking area.
- Purchase a coupling that is the correct size for your hose.
- Insert the male coupling at the cut area and secure it with compression rings.
- Insert the female coupling on the opposite side using compression rings as well.
- Tighten both couplings together using a wrench.
Where Should You Keep a Pressure Washer Hose?
Simply put, keeping the hose out of extreme weather conditions will extend its life. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight as that’ll deteriorate the hose in the long run. It’s preferable to store the hose in a garage or basement, for example.
However, if the temperature in your garage falls below zero, it’s best to relocate it to a warmer place. This is to keep the pressure washer from freezing, which would cause it to stop working.
In Conclusion
It’s time to make some changes now that you know what causes the pressure washer hose to malfunction and kink.
It only takes a few minutes to prepare it for storage and a little care when using it. So, follow the tips shared above on how to keep the pressure washer hose from kinking and you’ll be fine.