Have a DIY household project, and think you might need a hose clamp? Hose clamps come in a variety of types and styles, and choosing the right one for your project may be confusing and frustrating. However, choosing the right one is essential to the success of your project. Below is some information about hose clamps, the most common types, and their potential uses.
What is a Hose Clamp?
You may have heard of using hose clamps for plumbing problems and emergencies. But what, exactly, are they? Simply put, a hose clamp or a hose clip is a device used to attach a sealed hose onto a fitting such as a barb or nipple. These clamps are great plumbing tools because they create an even seal that prevents and stops leaks from occurring.
Types of Hose Clamps
There are many hose clamp types, so be sure to choose the right one for your project. Always measure the outside diameter of the item you are clamping to ensure the best possible fit, whether it is in inches or millimeters. Below are the most common types of clamps.
Worm Gear Hose Clamps
A torro clamp is a type of worm gear hose clamp with unique asymmetrical construction. Like other worm gear hose clamps, it is often a stainless steel clamp. These are premium clamps that have many applications including joining water, fuel, and oil lines, lines in the sanitation industry, and hose lines in the automotive industry. There are many advantages of using a stainless steel torro clamp because it provides even clamping and perfect alignment on the hose, ensuring the best possible seal. Use these premium hose clamps in heavy-duty projects involving household appliances or cooling water lines.
Spring Clamps
These types of clamps are usually made from a strip of spring steel. The ends are then bent outward and tightened to form a seal. These hose clamps some of the most common types of automotive hose clamps because they are easy to use in more confined places such as in an automotive cooling system. They can come in a variety of sizes, so be sure to measure the outside diameter of the object you are clamping to determine whether you need mini hose clamps, extra-wide hose clamps, or even heavy-duty hose clamps.
Wire Clamps
These hose clamps are simple in design and consist of a piece of steel wire that is bent into a U-shape, then tightened on both ends and secured around the hose. These are ideal hose clamps for emergencies because they can temporarily stop the leak until a more secure clamp is applied. You should always have these clamps on hand as part of your DIY plumbing equipment because they are extremely effective as temporary fixes, and can be easily bent and maneuvered for a variety of applications.
There are many hose clamp types and sizes — from mini hose clamps, large hose clamps, and extra-large hose clamps to worm gear hose clamps like a torro clamp, a spring clamp, or a screw clamp. Stainless steel clamps work best because of their durability, however, if you choose the right clamp for the job you will be well on your way to DIY project success. Contact a clamp manufacturer today to find the right clamp for your next project.
