You can connect two different size hoses together with the right size adapter for your hose. It is next to impossible to connect two different size hoses together without an adapter.
This can be handy when you need to run a long hose or need to connect a new irrigation line into an existing system. Connecting two different size hoses is straight forward if you know the size of each hose you need to connect.
Types of Hose Connectors
The following adapters are the most popular hose adapters when connecting two hoses of different sizes. The most common garden hoses come in the following sizes, 1 inch (uncommon), ¾ of an inch, 5/8 of an inch, ½ inch and even ¼ of an inch (also uncommon) for some irrigation lines.
Hose adapters come in the same sizes and different combinations. Just like you should have the correct hose size for an outdoor faucet you need the right size adapter to connect two hoses of different sizes.
Hose Reducer Adapters
When connecting two different size hoses together you will need to look for a reducer. The most common options reduce from one size to the next size down. Common reducers include a 1 inch to ¾ of inch or ¾ of an inch to ½ of an inch as an example.
Here are a few of the most common hose connectors that can be used to join hoses together:
Female to Male Hose Connector
The female to male hose connectors have one end that is threaded on the inside of the adapter and one side that is threaded on the outside of the adapter. Using the male side of the hose connect the hose to the adapter and then use the female side of the adjoining hoses to connect to the adapter and create your single length of hose. This adapter can work with hoses of the same size and when matched with the right size female and male ends two hoses of different sizes.
This is the most used adapter for homeowners connecting two different hoses together. Only special circumstances will require you to use another style of hose connector.
Male to Male Hose Connector
When the two hoses that you want to connect both have male ends at the end of the hose where you will be connecting to, then a male to male connector is needed. This adapter will have female ends on both sides of the adapter. These connections come in both sizes for connecting the same size hose and styles that have different sizes to accommodate connecting two hoses of different sizes.
Female to Female Hose Connector
These are the opposite of the male to male hose connector, this adapter includes the threads on the inside of the adapter on both sides. Connect both male ends to the adapter to create a single length of hose.
Couplings for Hose Repair
Repairing a hose that has failed somewhere down the line is possible with a hose coupling. These generally are have a series of three or four ridges and will slide into both ends of the hose that need to be connected. Most people will slide on stainless steel hose clamps onto both hoses and use them to secure the hose to the coupling fitting so that the hose connection does not get loose due to the water pressure or being pulled on during use.
3-Way Hose Connector
A 3 way hose connector is most often used directly on the water faucet coming from the house. This allows you to connect two hoses to a single spigot. It is also an excellent way to send water in two different directions out in the yard if you run a long mainline and then add a 3 way connector you can divert the water to two different areas. This can be helpful when irrigating large lawns and gardens without having to move lines.
Most 3 way connectors include flow control levers so you can determine which hose the water will flow through or it can be left wide open and allow water to come out the ends of both hoses. Using a 3 way connector with both hoses open does cause a reduction in water pressure, but often is still worth it depending on your watering needs.
See the following post for more help on choosing the best garden hose possible.
Steps for Connecting Two Different Size Hoses With An Adapter
- Measure the inside diameter of the hose with your tape measure or ruler.
Measure the opening on the end of the garden hose for both hoses and write down the sizes so you remember which hose end and connector type, male or female, you will need to purchase.
- Clean the threads of the adapter and the hoses that will connect with it.
If there is dirt and grim on your hose you may not get a solid connection which results in a leaky connection.
- Wrap plumbers tape on the male end of the hose.
The plumbers tape ensures a solid connection that will not leak. Teflon plumbers tape ensures that you will be able to undo the adapter and it will not get stuck. Not using the tape can sometimes result in a hose that will never be able to be removed from the adapter as they can seize up when trying to unscrew.
- Using the female end twist the hose into the male end slowly.
Make sure the threads are lined up correctly for each side of the adapter and secure tightly.
- Use an adjustable wrench to securely tighten the adapter.
Using a wrench to get the adapter and hoses extra tight is a good thing to do when you are planning on leaving this connection together for a long period of time. Short time connections this may be an unnecessary step and require extra work getting the two hoses detached after using.
- Turn on the faucet and check for any leaks.
It is important to always go and check your connection right after you have set it up and make sure there is no leaks. I always recommend that you check the hose connection again a half an hour after using the new connected hose to make sure that nothing quickly loosened on you and began a leak.
If you plan on burying the hose connection underground in order to run it across your property I would recommend taping the connection with some outdoor use Mil pipe wrap tape so that it is extra secure and less likely to become potentially loosened causing a massive leak.
Use a hose coupling if you have no threads.
Things to Consider
- Buy brass hose adapters as they will last for an exceedingly long time and do not get brittle and crack over time like plastic versions or simple break if stepped on.
- When connecting two different size hoses add the larger diameter hose directly to the spigot and then using the adapter connect the smaller diameter hose to improve the water pressure that comes out.
- Keep your garden hoses out of the sun and in a shed or garage during the winter to prevent damage like cracking in the hose material.
- Drain your hoses after using them by coiling the hose so that all of the water drains from the end so you do not have water sitting in the connections of your hose adapter.
It is simple to connect two hoses of different sizes together. Simply, measure both garden hoses and note whether you are connecting female or male threads and find the corresponding hose adapter you need.
Many homeowners can be intimidated at the big box stores when purchasing a hose adapter, so write down your measurements and thread needs and jump on Amazon and type in the hose connector you need and you don’t have to go thumbing through box after box of different adapter sizes.