Garden Hose Reel Leaking? Find the Source and Fix It

A leaking ELEY or Rapid-Reel garden hose reel usually comes from one of three locations:

Where is the water leaking? Likely cause What to do
Back of the hose reel Loose connection between the inlet hose and swivel Tighten the connection and test the reel again
Front brass swivel Failed or damaged swivel Inspect the swivel and determine whether it needs replacement
Inlet hose or faucet connection Damaged hose, short faucet threads, washer issue, or loose connection Inspect the hose, washer, faucet, and fittings

 

Not sure where the leak is coming from? Watch the video below, then inspect each location while the water is turned on.

Video: How to Diagnose a Leaking Garden Hose Reel

The short video below demonstrates how to inspect the inlet hose, swivel, and hose connections to identify the source of a leak.

1. Leak From the Back of the Hose Reel

A leak from the back of the reel usually comes from the connection between the inlet hose and the swivel.

How to Fix It

  1. Turn off the water.
  2. Disconnect the main hose from the swivel at the front of the reel.
  3. Pull the swivel off the center axle tube where the inlet hose connects.
  4. Tighten the inlet hose connection by hand.
  5. Turn the water back on and test the connection before reassembling to ensure the leak has stopped. 
  6. Reassemble components. 

If it still leaks, inspect the inlet hose, swivel, and washer more closely. The water may be traveling from a nearby damaged component rather than leaking from the connection itself.

2. Leak From the Front Brass Swivel

The swivel is the rotating brass component located in the center of the hose reel.

If water is leaking from the body of the swivel rather than a hose connection, the swivel may be damaged and need replacement.

Common Signs of a Failed Swivel

  • Water leaking from the body of the brass swivel
  • A leak that continues after the connections are tightened
  • Cracks or visible damage to the swivel
  • A leak that appeared after freezing temperatures

Freeze damage is one of the most common causes of swivel failure. If the reel may have frozen, review our Assessing Freeze Damage Guide before submitting a warranty claim.

Is the Swivel Covered Under Warranty?

The swivel may qualify for warranty replacement if:

  • The hose reel is less than 10 years old.
  • The damage was not caused by freezing temperatures, misuse, accidents, pets, or another warranty exclusion.

Submit a Warranty Claim Form and include a clear photo or short video showing the leak.

ELEY’s hose reel warranty covers replacement of the defective component, not replacement of the entire hose reel.

Important: Damage caused by freezing temperatures is not covered under ELEY’s warranty.

If the Swivel Is Not Covered

Visit the Hose Reel Troubleshooting & Replacement Parts page to identify the correct replacement swivel for your reel.

Replacing the swivel is generally the easiest and most reliable repair. However, if the leak is coming specifically from the expandable frost gasket on the current Item 4291 swivel, that gasket can be replaced separately.

3. Leak From the Inlet Hose or Faucet Connection

The inlet hose—also called a feeder or supply hose—connects the faucet to the back of the hose reel.

First, determine whether the water is leaking from:

  • The inlet hose itself
  • The female fitting at the faucet
  • The connection at the back of the reel

If the Inlet Hose Is Damaged

Inspect the hose for:

  • Cracks or splits
  • Punctures or abrasion
  • Bulges or damaged sections
  • Leaks near either fitting

If the hose itself is damaged, it may need to be replaced.

The inlet hose may qualify for warranty replacement if it is less than 10 years old and the damage was not caused by freezing temperatures, UV exposure, pets, accidents, misuse, or another warranty exclusion.

Submit a Warranty Claim Form and include a clear photo or short video showing the damaged area and leak.

If the hose is not covered under warranty, replacement inlet hoses are available in standard and extended lengths:

  • 6½-foot standard inlet hose
  • 12-foot extended inlet hose

If the Inlet Hose Leaks at the Faucet

A leak between the inlet hose’s female fitting and the faucet is often caused by a faucet with short threads.

The faucet may thread into the hose fitting without extending far enough to fully compress the rounded washer. This can allow water to escape even when the connection feels tight.

How to Fix It

  1. Check that the washer is present, properly seated, and undamaged.
  2. Clean any plumber’s tape, dirt, corrosion, or mineral buildup from the faucet threads.
  3. Reconnect the hose by hand, making sure it is straight and not cross-threaded.
  4. If it still leaks, tighten the fitting 1/4 to 1/2 turn past hand-tight with pliers. Do not overtighten.
  5. Add a flat garden hose washer on top of the ELEY rounded washer and test the connection again.
  6. If needed, remove the rounded washer and try the flat washer by itself.

Also check the faucet for damaged threads, cross-threading, or an uneven sealing surface.

Still Need Help?

If you’re still having trouble identifying the source of the leak, we’re here to help.

Tagged: Product Care & Troubleshooting
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my hose reel leaking from the back?

A leak from the back of the reel is often caused by a loose connection between the inlet hose and the swivel.

Turn off the water, hand-tighten the connection, and test it again. If the leak continues, inspect the inlet hose, swivel, and washer individually. The leak may be coming from a damaged inlet hose, a worn washer, or the swivel itself rather than the connection.
Why is my hose reel leaking from the front brass component?

The brass component in the center of the reel is the swivel.

If water is leaking from the swivel body rather than from a hose connection, the swivel may be damaged and require replacement. Freeze damage is one possible cause, especially if water was left inside the reel during freezing temperatures.

See our freeze damage guide to help determine whether freeze damage may be the cause.
Why does my hose leak at the faucet or spigot?

A leak where the female hose fitting connects to the faucet is commonly caused by the washer not sealing properly.

Turn off the water, clean the faucet threads, inspect the washer, and reconnect the hose. Some faucets have shorter threads that may not fully compress the washer inside the fitting.

If your hose has an older flat washer gasket, we recommend replacing it with our Garden Hose Washer (Item 1113). With short-threaded faucets, you can also place a flat garden hose washer on top of the ELEY rounded washer or replace the rounded washer with a flat washer.

If the leak continues, submit a Warranty Claim Form for further assistance.
Can a hose reel swivel be repaired?

In most cases, replacing a damaged swivel is the easiest and most reliable solution.

The exception is the expandable frost gasket on the 4291 Garden Hose Reel Swivel, which can be replaced separately using the Garden Hose Reel Swivel Repair Kit.
Is freeze damage covered under ELEY's warranty?

No. Damage caused by freezing temperatures is not covered under ELEY's warranty.

To help prevent freeze damage, drain all water from the hose and reel before freezing weather or move the reel indoors when possible. Simply disconnecting the reel from the faucet may not remove all of the water trapped inside.
What if I'm not sure whether the inlet hose or swivel is leaking?

Watch the troubleshooting video above and inspect each connection and component individually to identify exactly where the water is coming from.

If you're still unsure, contact our customer support team and include photos or a short video showing the leak. This can help our team identify the source and recommend the appropriate next step.