How to Fix a Leaking Garden Hose Reel
Finding The Source of The Leak
The entire plumbing of an ELEY and Rapid-Reel garden hose reel consists of just two components;
- Inlet hose.
- Brass swivel.
If you're hose reel is leaking, there are only three possible sources for the leak:
- The inlet hose has failed.
- The brass swivel has failed.
- The connection between the inlet hose and the swivel has loosened.
This short video demonstrates how to examine each component to locate the source of the leak. If the source of the leak is #3 - a loose connection between the inlet hose and the swivel, simply re-tighten to stop the leak.
The Inlet Hose Has Failed
If your hose reel is less than 10 years old, and the failure of the inlet hose is not "due to freezing, accidents, misuse or misapplication," then please take a photo or short video of the failed portion of the hose and send it to us using our Warranty Claim Form, and we will respond promptly.
If the inlet hose is not covered under our warranty, then visit our 5/8-Inch Garden Hose page to purchase a replacement inlet hose. There you'll be able to purchase the same 6-1/2 foot inlet hose, or a longer 12-foot inlet hose. If you desire to replace it with a shorter or longer 5/8-inch inlet hose, then visit our Custom-Cut Garden Hose page. ELEY does not offer 3/4-inch hose at this time.
The Swivel Has Failed
The next step is to determine what caused the failure.
- Failure of the internal seals, or O-rings.
- Structural failure of a metal component.
FAILURE OF SEALS OR O-RINGS
Failure of the internal seals or O-rings is usually exhibited by a drip coming from the brass housing seam near the aluminum lock-nut. If you believe this is the source of the leak and your hose reel is less than 10-years old, then please take a photo or short video of the leak and send it to us using our Warranty Claim Form, and we will respond promptly.
If your hose reel is over 10 years old, you can purchase our Item 4291 swivel, which replaces both previous swivel versions, items 2914 and 4112.
FAILURE OF METAL COMPONENTS
Failure of the swivel's metal components can be caused by:
- A manufacturing defect - covered by our warranty in first 10-years.
- Normal use wear and tear - covered by our warranty in first 10-years.
- Freezing water - not covered by our warranty.
How to Determine if Structural Failure is Due to Freeze Damage
With the ELEY swivel, determining freeze damage is easily determined with a simple observation of the components.
Swivel #2914 - Brass Elbow & No goose-neck
Swivel #4112 - Brass Elbow & Stainless goose-neck
Swivel #4205 - Brass Elbow & Copper goose-neck
If the swivel failure is due to freezing water damage, you can purchase our Item 4291 which is the replacement swivel for all hose reel models, including hose reels that were originally equipped with the 2914 and 4112 swivels.
If you believe the swivel failure is not due to freeze damage, then please take a photo or short video of the structural damage to the metal components and send it to us using our Warranty Claim Form, and we will respond promptly.
