Are Your Home Improvement Projects Driving You Crazy? The Right Hose Clamp Can Solve it All

Looking for a weekend hobby? There are millions of American home owners who enjoy working on their homes and backyards. In fact, the market for home improvement supplies has grown recently to over $300 billion every year, an increase of about 6% over last year’s sales. Part of learning to drill, hammer, and fix everything from leaky faucets to sub-flooring is becoming familiar with home improvement equipment, and although it can seem endless at times, there is one piece of equipment that every “do-it-yourselfer” can expect to encounter.

Finding the term “hose clamp” on an instructional home improvement website should mean a quick trip to the hardware store, but there are so many varieties that choosing the right one can be difficult at first. Basically, a hose clamp is used to seal synthetic rubber hosing to a “fitting,” so plumbing and auto repair enthusiasts may notice that they are using the same part for several different projects.

Stainless steel hose clamps are the most common material for hose clamps, and experts say that they tend to work well for automotive and home maintenance projects where a medium amount of pressure is required. For larger diameter hoses, a screw clamp is used, and homeowners should know that, in general, they would want a screw clamp for a hose that is larger than .50″.

Ensuring the proper fit between hose and fitting, sometimes referred to as a barb, is essential for leak prevention. Leaky gas pipes can pose a health risk, and speaking with a local contractor about advanced repairs is always an option. Plumbing hoses should be scratch-free and free from leaks, and of course, automotive hose clamps must be used with specialized hoses that can tolerate coolant, brake fluid, or gasoline.

Home improvement hobbyists should also be aware that spring hose clamps are often used in an emergency for a quick fix, but that hose itself should not be cut or broken in the process of removal. Most hoses are made from synthetic rubber, and if a hose is damaged during the process of repair it should be replaced. Also, to enlarge automotive hose clamps, it is possible to use a screwdriver: after a few counter-clockwise turns, the hose clamp should completely expand.

Home improvement projects can be a great way to relax and de-stress, and home improvement professionals can often explain the benefits of the entire range of automotive hose clamps and other plumbing and home repair clamps. Taking the time to get to know this small — but essential — part can make home repairs easier and more fun to complete. What do millions of Americans know about home repair? They know that the home improvement market should continue its expansion, and they know that they want to keep improving their repair skills.