How To Connect 2 Garden Hoses

A lot of people are wondering if you can connect two expandable hoses. Truth is, you can really connect any two hoses if you have the right fit to begin with – that is you just screw on the male connector of one of the hoses into the female connector of the other hose. Usually everyone will try this first.

Expandable garden hoses may seem a little more tricky. These hoses are common choices now as they nicely expand three times their original length when the water pressure is on and then seemingly contract to their original length when the water is off. As for connecting two of them together, it depends on what fits you have and what you may need.

What a lot of people run into is when one of their expandable hoses or both of them are missing the screw-on connectors or one of theirs is the wrong fit. However, you can solve this problem by simply getting a screw-on connector and then you can modify your hoses.

how to connect two expandable garden hoses

Before you buy anything, try to connect the two hoses together. The expandable hose can be attached to an existing hose (expandable or not) if measurements are appropriate. If your existing hose has push in connectors and can't connect, you will need to get a push in adapter that has a threaded female end so you can nicely join the two hoses (see below for this process).

Generally, all garden hoses are accompanied with a male and female hose thread connector. If you are missing one or one is broken, you can cut it off and simple install new ones.

What you will find with your connector is a male or female hose thread connection, a barbed rod that will fit inside the hose and lastly a crimp ring with screws to tighten it.

How To Install a Connector On Your Hose

First what you are going to want to do is measure the diameter of the inside of your hose. Why? Because it is imperative you purchase the correct size fitting since hoses come in many different sizes. Usually, you will find your connector comes with a 3/4″ male or female hose thread connection and a barbed rod that will fit inside a 3/4, 5/8, or 1/2-inch hose.
More importantly, if you have one connector on the hose and need the other one, make sure you determine if you need the female or male end otherwise your purchase will be useless. Also, it is important to note that most fittings are compatible with both rubber or vinyl hoses but some are not and you will need a specific type of fitting.
Now on to the hands-on work: remove the old fitting by firmly cutting the hose 2 inches from the fitting. Use a utility knife and cut straight to make a nice even cut.
Then shove the barbed rod into the hose as far as you can get it in. The end of the hose should now be flush with the connector.
Now securely tighten the crimp ring around the end of the hose and join the two halves with the screws to make the connection secure and leak-proof.

This video shows how to replace one of your garden hose ends so you can efficiently connect it to the other end. This is also the exact same process if you need to repair a leaky hose.

So this is one way to connect your two hoses – install the proper connector (male or female) to one end so it nicely connects with your other hose or simply install both connectors. However, you actually don't have to install connectors on the ends of a pair of hoses you want to join together.

You can just use a coupler to join both of your hoses. A coupler is composed of a barbed rod that will fit inside both hoses (not just one) and a pair of rings so you can crimp each hose onto the barbed rod. However, make sure both of your hoses are the exact same diameter if you are planning on using a coupler.

Another Solution – Use Push-In Connectors

This may be a better option for you if you want a quick fix that is less hands-on. This is also the better option if you need to connect your two hoses when the water is running which I wouldn't recommend in the first place.

Anyways, buy yourself a pair of push-in connect/adapters (both male & female) and screw them onto the already existing hose connectors. Then joining the two hoses is extremely easy.

Expandable garden hoses may look different in regard to connecting two of them together but all hoses actually follow the same processes. Depending on what your fittings are, you just need the right parts. In my opinion, the easiest way is to just buy a pair of push-in connect (quick-connect) adapters.

If you don't want to do that, then get a coupler. Now if one of your already existing connectors if broken or chipped or your hose is leaking, then refer to the process above about installing a new connector and then you can work from there to join the two hoses.

Overall, expandable hoses are extremely easy to work with and are becoming increasingly popular due to their benefits and overall convenience.

If you have any questions or concerns or are still having problems connecting your expandable hoses, leave a comment below.