Zero-G Hose Leaking at Connection (How To Fix a Zero-G Hose)
It is hit or miss. There seems to be a problem with the blue-colored zero-G hoses. Some leak and some do not. It is going to be hit and miss with that color of hose as the black ones seem to be better made and last longer than the blue ones do. Some only last two years before they start leaking.
The only real solution to this problem is to replace those blue zero-G hoses. If they are leaking at the connection, there is little you can do. The source of the problem may be the company that makes these hoses. You can try to use other colored hoses that are water safe instead of the blue ones.
To learn more about this topic, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can find the right hose for your RV. You do not have to use blue zero-G hoses, there are substitutes that work just as well.
What is a Zero-G Hose?
New RV owners may not be aware of this product. Zero-G is a brand name for a regular hose that allows you to transport water from the source to your RV. It is like a garden hose but made with different materials.
Those materials make it lightweight, kink-resistant, puncture, leak, and abrasion-resistant as well. It is supposed to provide safe drinking water. The tru-flex inner core is supposed to make it wind up a lot easier as well.
This hose is made by TeknorApex and it is supposed to be an improvement over the traditional garden hose. The hose comes in several colors in case you have multiple applications for it.
Can Zero-G Hoses Be Repaired?
According to the TeknorApex website, its FAQ section, you can repair the coupling. Their instructions tell you to replace the current faulty coupling with a coupling that is a bit smaller than the hose diameter. For example, if your hose size is 3/4” then you should replace it with a 5/8” coupling.
If the hose is 5/8”, then a half-inch coupling is required. A 1/2” hose would require a 3/8” coupling. Then, you may try a hose mender kit to help you solve any problems you have with the hose.
In short, there are fixable problems and there are unfixable ones. Some owners have found black mold growing inside the hose. This bacteria grew during the storing time and unless you pour bleach down the hose, you are not going to get rid of that mold.
Most owners just throw the hose away when that happens. Then they go out and buy a new one. The reason the mold may grow is that the hose is not stored properly and all the water does not get drained out.
You would have to hang the hose up by one end to let the water drain. There are some good hose repair kits you can buy that will work on this brand of hose.
Common Zero-G Hose Problems
We have been able to find only 3 common problems that have occurred with this hose. The reviews we have looked at are mostly 100% positive about the hose and do not list many problems that may occur.
Owners are a different story though. While this hose is said to be leak-resistant, one of the biggest problems owners have had is leaking. Not the black-colored Zero-G hose option but the blue-colored one. That may be a design defect or sloppy manufacturing or some other reason.
Another common issue has been mold. The owners have called it black mold but when it is present you should not be using that hose. Most owners have decided to throw the affected hose away and buy new. They were not interested in pouring bleach down the hose and killing the mold.
The final common problem we came across was that it is said the hose does not last long. For a hose rated to withstand 600+PSI and 1800 lbf, this is surprising news. Everything we have read in our research points to this hose being a miracle product.
For some reason, the hose’s lifespan is very short. The hose is also supposed to be lead-free making it safe to use as a drinking water hose. The company says this in spite of also saying in its support pages that you should not drink from a hose.
Their reasons were:
- mold growth
- animal waste
- stagnate water
- insects and more harmful elements
Zero-G Hose Leaks
There is a simple way to fix a zero-G hose when it starts to leak. Most of the leaks occur at the coupling and it should only take a few minutes to make the repair. Those few minutes take place after you return from the store with your new hose repair kit.
The first step is to cut the old coupling off. It is a lot easier to do this than to try to remove the old coupling. You are not losing a lot of hose with this step so do not worry about it.
The second step is for you to take the new coupling and insert the hose inside the base. Step, three has you putting the other half of the coupling over the hose and crimping it shut. Just do not close too hard when you do this step.
That should solve your leaking problem. So far, the complaints about leaking have been about the blue hose only. Most owners have said they have had no problem with the black-colored one.
Zero-G Hose Leaking At Connection
Due to the construction and the materials used to make this hose, you should find most of your leaks at the coupling. We have already given two sets of instructions on how to fix this problem earlier in this article.
Just take your time as you do not want the new couplings to leak after you are done. Make sure to do a test when you have installed the new coupling to make sure it is not leaking. If it does, you may have to repeat those steps and seal the hose and coupling a lot better.
Some zero-G hoses will get cuts in them and to fix those leaks, you should buy a hose repair kit and seal those cuts up tight. If your store does not have a hose repair kit, a tire repair kit should work as well. Follow the instructions on the kit to do a good repair job.
How To Repair a Zero-G Hose
This set of instructions will be for any cuts that happen in the hose. We have already told you how to repair the leak at the coupling. The materials you need to use should all be included in the hose or tire kit you bought for cuts.
Step one has you letting the water run through the line to find where the leak is. Once you have found it, make a hole in the hose liner to gain access to the cut. Next, use the materials in your repair kit.
Some of these kits may have you using a vinyl paste or a repair patch. Make sure to follow all instructions that come with the kit. Let the glue or paste dry before placing some heavy tape over the area you cut. A tire repair kit may have different applications so read the instructions carefully.
Zero-G Hose Male End Repair
There are good repair kits that come with both male and female connections. The repair for the male end is not that difficult. You may need a 12mm hex head wrench to do the repair work.
At least with some of these repair kits. The easiest method is to cut off the old male end and start with a fresh piece of hose. Make sure to buy the couplers in the right size and we provided those instructions earlier in the article.
The O ring washer should be included in these kits as well. Follow the instructions on the kit to make sure you get the repair done right. This is not going to be a difficult repair to do. Be careful as most replacement parts are made of plastic and can easily be damaged.
Some Final Words
Zero-G hoses are supposed to be a good brand name. The hoses are a bit more expensive than other hose brands. The reason for that is the construction materials, the technology involved, and the design of the hose.
While these hoses can be stored easily, it is best to make sure they are hung up first. That way you can stop mold from growing by draining all the water out. If you store your RV, check those hoses for mold growth to be on the safe side.
