Hose Connectors

Hose Connectors

Hose connectors are the push-fit fittings that join a garden hose to a tap, to another hose, or to a spray nozzle, and getting the sizes right is most of the battle. Hose bore is usually 12.5mm, which is half an inch, with 15mm and 19mm on heavier hoses. Outdoor taps in Ireland are typically three quarter inch BSP threaded, while indoor kitchen and utility taps are round or mixer taps that need a different connector entirely, sized by diameter up to 24mm or 34mm. A water stop or AquaStop connector shuts the flow automatically when you unclip the hose, so you do not get soaked changing accessories. A hose joiner or repair connector splices two lengths together or rescues a hose you have cut or split, and a Y-connector splits one tap between two hoses. Brass fittings cost more than plastic but survive frost and UV far better, which is why they are the usual choice for a tap connector left outdoors year round. Everything here also works with the wider Hoses & Hose Fittings range.

Garden Hoses

The hose itself is the other half of the system, and connectors here are sized to fit it. Standard garden hose comes in 12.5mm half inch bore, which suits domestic taps and most reels, with heavier grades for higher pressure and longer runs. Reinforced and anti-kink hoses carry a braided layer that stops the wall collapsing when the hose is dragged round a corner or pulled taut, which is the usual cause of a sudden pressure drop. Expandable and flat hoses store far smaller but do not take the same abuse. Match the hose bore to the connector bore, since a 12.5mm fitting will not seal on 15mm hose.

Hose Clips

Hose clips, also called jubilee clips or worm drive clips, clamp a hose onto a barbed fitting or spigot and hold the seal under pressure. They are sized by the diameter range they close over, so a clip is specified as a span rather than a single number, and a clip that is too large will not tighten evenly. Stainless steel clips resist rust outdoors and in damp plant rooms, which matters on anything left permanently connected. They are used well beyond garden hose, on washing machine and dishwasher waste, car coolant and heater hoses, and any barbed plumbing joint that has to come apart again.

Hozelock is the widest range, covering soft touch standard and AquaStop hose end connectors, a 12.5 to 15mm repair connector, double male connectors, Y-connectors, round tap connectors at 18mm, threaded tap connectors in three quarter inch and one inch BSP, round mixer tap connectors to 24mm and 34mm, an inlet hose adaptor for reels and carts, and 3-in-1 nozzle and grab bag sets. Aquacraft covers standard, water stop, two-way, dual outlet, square, round, angled and threaded tap connectors plus joiner sets, repair connectors and watering accessory and spray nozzle sets. Faithfull supplies the brass fittings, including female hose connectors, dual tap connectors and hose joiners in 12.5mm and 12.5 to 19mm, with plastic equivalents alongside. Kingfisher adds snap action female fittings and half inch tap connectors.