Hose clamps: always needed? Clamps causing problems.

[FishFinder]

I've been getting very familiar with the workings of hose clamps recently while rebuilding my leaky holding tank system. And at least in the situation I am working with now, I don't see the point of these clamps. If a fitting leaks, the clamps are not able to stop the leak. If a fitting does not leak, tightening the clamps beyond just slightly tight can cause the fitting to start leaking. I've opposed the clamps, tried the "good" non-holey clamps, and it doesn't matter.

The only non-leaky fitting that works consistently is a fitting that is so tight I have to heat the hose up first and then really push the hose on. Once the hose cools, there is no way I can pull the hose off the fitting without cutting it. So there again, what is the point of a clamp on a hose that is this tight?

I do understand clamps in other situations (like on engine fittings). But I am starting to think they aren't always necessary/a good thing. Any thoughts?

[Don0190]

Clamps also keep hoses from getting knocked off fittings. My boat has lots of clamped hose fittings and none of them are leaking! Maybe you have a bunch of hoses on the wrong size fittings no clamp is going "fix" that.

[motion300]

As those waste hoses get older they become stiff maybe that is the problem

[treilley]

Awab are the only hose clamps you should be using. If you have the proper hose barb that is not damaged, the proper size hose and clamp you should not have any leaking. Check everything, not just the clamps.

I have seen plastic hose barbs that have knife cuts in them from someone cutting off a hose. This will cause leaking.

The hose that you have to heat up to attach is ok but has limited uses on a boat. Presently I only use that type on my head intake. And it should be heated up by placing in boiling water. Not with a heat gun.

Using a nut-driver instead of a flat blade screwdriver with get you better torque.

[tdw]

Even with the 'slotted' type hose clamps the only time a clamp has ever caused a leak on any of my boats has been because the hose itself had outlived its useful life span.

[FishFinder]

Hmm. I'm using a heat gun on the hose before attaching -- why isn't this OK? Maybe this is part of the problem.

My hose is new (in this case white sani-hose from Trident), fittings are new, hose clamps are new. The fittings definitely match the hose, it's a good fit. Twice now tightening the hose clamp has caused a little drip leak to occur on an otherwise leak-free fitting.

[captflood]

GREETINGS EARTHLING, Do you have space for two stainless steel clamps so you can put then on off-sett ( so one is on the different side of the pipe ) or are you looking at replacing ther fittings or the pipework GO SAFE.

[RainDog]

Originally Posted by FishFinder

My hose is new (in this case white sani-hose from Trident), fittings are new, hose clamps are new. The fittings definitely match the hose, it's a good fit. Twice now tightening the hose clamp has caused a little drip leak to occur on an otherwise leak-free fitting.

Are you over-tightening the hose clamps? Are you sure the hose clamp is completely over the fitting? If it is not, could be pulling the hose off the fitting.

If it does not leak, you are happy with it, and it is not attached (directly or indirectly) to a thru-hull, there is no reason you need a clamp if you prefer not to use one. Just make sure you replace the hose at a regular interval.

I find it VERY hard to imagine the white trident that needed to be heated to get over the fitting will ever come off. It is nearly impossible to get them off when you want to.

Anything connected (directly or indirectly) to a thru-hull should have a (regularly inspected) hose clamp in addition as a saftey precaution. Just do not over-tighten it and it should not induce a leak.

[btrayfors]

IMHO, the problem may be the hose...not the clamps!

That Trident sani-hose -- the plastic stuff -- is terrible. Not only is it very stiff and hard to work with, but it will itself leak odors over time. You periodically have to clean it with Chlorox to even have a chance of keeping the odors at bay. And, as you already know, it's damned difficult to clamp securely onto a polyethylene nipple because you can't apply sufficient pressure without risking damage to the nipple.

Spend the BIG BUCKS and buy the best (non plastic) sanitary hose you can. It's worth it.

Bill

[LinekinBayCD]

Is it possible that the fitting is cracked and distorts when clamped causing the leak?