If you’ve ever used a wire hose clamp, you’ll know that they are much more versatile than they at first appear. Their design allows them to secure a hose over a fitting, therefore preventing any water from the hose leaking at the connection point. Some other uses for these handy dandy simple contraptions include securing hoses in car systems, clamping lines down in household plumbing, and securing parts in simple machines, like vacuum cleaners or appliances. Anything that you might use a zip tie or duct tape for, you can use a hose clamp in its place!
But, to function in whatever job you have for your hose clamp, it must be used correctly, or else it will not work. Consider these tips for their correct usage before you proceed:
Go for Quality
When obtaining your hose clamps, it is wise to make sure that you select a high-quality product. Without the proper quality and size hose clamp, a hose seal is likely at risk to leak gas, liquid, or other substances — which is exactly what you don’t want it to do. Consult with an expert at a store and make sure to measure your fittings beforehand so that your hose clamp is the right one for the job.
Make Sure All is Clear
Your hose clamp will not be able to make a proper seal if there are blockages or buildups, so make sure all of the pieces involved are totally clean and clear. Indeed, to ensure a good seal between a hose and a barb, the barb must be free of nicks, scratches, or contamination.
When in a Fix….
The truth is, sometimes the conditions for using a hose clamp can’t be perfect — in fact, they often aren’t. That is why improvisation is often the name of the game. Luckily, a hose clamp can do wonders when emergency car or home problems arise. For example, if you don’t have the right length, worm drive hose clamps can be daisy-chained to make a longer clamp if several shorter ones do not have the length required.
There are so many different types of hose clamps — from mini hose clamps to heavy duty hose clamps to a wire hose clamp. Get clamping!
