A guide to hose clamps

Read time: 10 minutes | Updated on: 15 August 2024

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Hose clamps are beneficial for the applications you have. In this article we cover:

How to use a hose clamp

Hose clamps are designed to secure a hose over a fitting, such as a spigot or barb, acting as a seal to prevent fluid from leaking at the connection. They also stabilise the hose connection. They’re predominantly used in the plumbing and automotive industries but are also used in other applications and to prevent leaks during the transport of liquids, chemicals and gases.

What are the different types of hose clamps?

There are three main hose-clamp types:

Plastic hose clamps

The ratcheting teeth interlock to provide a strong, secure. These can be installed quickly by hand and squeezed with pliers to tighten the grip. Sometimes referred to as a snap grip, snapper or herbie grip, these hose clamps are made of plastics. Nylon is an excellent choice, as it’s strong while providing flex for easier closure. Economical, lightweight and reusable.

Applications and industries:

Specialty vehicle and automotive fuel lines, airlines, drain lines
Pumps and hydraulic systems in medical equipment (should NOT be used in other hydraulic-pressure applications)
White goods, venting systems and garden hoses

Worm-drive hose clamps

These hi-torque worm clamps are the style meant when referring to jubilee clips. They feature a helical-threaded screw, or worm gear, which is housed in the clamp. When the screw is turned, it acts like a worm drive pulling the threads of the band. The band then tightens around the hose or tube.

The high clamping force makes this a heavy-duty jubilee clip. Available as stainless-steel or steel hose clamps, these are ideal when space is restricted or hard to reach. NOT recommended for soft or silicone hose.

Applications and industries:

Wire-reinforced hoses
Automotive fuel lines and exhaust hoses
Plumbing – seal hoses, water pipes and marine sink outlets
Signage, temporary repairs, sealing large containers

T-bolt hose clamps

Designed to provide a secure, air-tight seal on applications with larger diameters, where high vibration occurs. The clamp’s bolt is inserted through the hole in the hose clamp body. The nut is then tightened from underneath with a wrench or pliers. As stainless-steel hose clamps, t-bolts are ideal as clamps for high-pressure hose and for use with silicone hoses.

Applications and industries:

Specialty vehicles and automotive
- Maintain pressure on gas lines when engine is off
- Gas lines cut too short or needs a fitting added
- Secure a bleeder valve or safety valve in the gas line for putting gas tank at a specific pressure
Sealing off water lines when hoses and tubing are used. Examples:
- Swimming pool plumbing
- Aquaponics systems
- Hydroponics systems
- Drip irrigation

How to install a hose clamp

It's best to have installation tools available for clamps. A torque wrench is the best tool for installing a hose clamp, though a screwdriver will work too. We’ll use the popular worm-drive hose clamp for our example below. Follow these steps for how to use a hose clamp too:

Loosen the hose clamp by turning the clamp’s screw counterclockwise.
Attach it to the edge of the hose with the screw head in the direction needed to make contact with the tool you’re using.
Place the edge of the hose around the fitting.
Turn the screwdriver or torque wrench concentrically to tighten the clamp to secure the hose in place.

Adhere to the clamp’s torque specification, which is given in inches by the clamp manufacturer. Be careful not to overtighten, which will only damage the threaded part of the clamp and lead to the clamp failing.

A t-bolt hose clamp is similarly installed:

Insert the bolt through the clamp’s body.
Tighten the nut from underneath using a wrench or pliers.

The two halves of the clamp are then tightened against each other, and just like that, you’re done.

How to remove hose clamps

Specifically, let’s look at how to remove spring hose clamps, which is another name for t-bolts, which have both a drive and a bolt head.

Loosen the bolt with a flat-head screwdriver or a socket wrench.
Turn the bolt counterclockwise until it’s loose, then pull it off the hose.

How to measure hose-clamp size

When we say “hose-clamp size,” we’re referring to the clamping diameter range. This range means the minimum and maximum usable diameter.

You’ll first need to know the outside diameter (O.D.) of your hose. For an accurate measurement, assemble the hose on the fitting you’ll be using.
Measure the O.D. of the hose and fitting with a caliper. If you don’t have a caliper, then use this formula:

Outside Diameter (O.D.) = Circumference (C) ÷ 3.1416 (Pi)

Choose a clamp that sits in the middle of the clamp’s adjustment range. Below is a portion of the SAE standard for Type F worm-drive hose clamps. Type F typically has a 1/2" wide band and a 5/16" slotted hex head screw.

Worm-drive hose clamp size chart, Type F
SAE size	Clamp range (inches)	Clamp range (millimetres)
6	3/8 – 7/8	10 – 22
8	7/16 – 1	11 – 25
10	½ – 1 1/16	13 – 27
12	½ – 1 1/4	13 – 32
16	13/16 – 1 ½	21 – 38
20	13/16 – 1 3/4	21 – 44
24	1 – 2	25 – 51
28	1 5/16 – 2 ¼	35 – 57
32	1 9/16 – 2 1/2	40 – 63
36	1 13/16 – 2 3/4	46 – 70
40	2 – 3	51 – 76
44	2 15/16 – 3 ¼	59 – 82
48	2 9/16 – 3 ½	65 – 89

Let’s say you have a 1/2" hose. Note the clamp ranges. You can use an SAE size 6 hose clamp. Now let’s say your hose is 3/4". Consider using a 12 hose-clamp size. If your hose is 1", a size 16 hose clamp would do. If we’re talking about a 2" hose, then you have more choices, as you can see.

The British standard works in a similar way, as this example shows:

British standard for worm-drive hose clips
Size	Adjustment range (millimetres)	Adjustment range (inches)
12	9.5 – 12	3/8 – ½
16	11 – 16	½ – 5/8
20	13 –20	½ – ¾
22	16 – 22	5/8 – 7/8
25	18 – 25	¾ – 1
30	22 – 30	7/8 – 1 1/8
35	25 – 35	1 – 1 3/8
40	30 – 40	1 2/8 – 1 5/8
45	32 – 45	1 ¼ – 1 3/4
50	35 – 50	1 3/8 – 2
55	40 – 55	1 5/8 – 2 1/8
60	45 – 60	1 ¾ – 2 3/8
70	55 –70	2 1/8 – 2 3/4

Hose-clamp materials

Hose clamps are generally made in metal, like carbon steel or stainless steel, or plastics. Plastics are a cost-efficient alternative to metals, but only in particular applications, as explained earlier. Plastics are also corrosion resistant, and so is stainless steel. Extra-large stainless-steel hose clamps are available for bigger assemblies. For heavy-duty applications, consider steel for its strength.

Download free CADs and try before you buy

Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download. You can also request free samples to ensure the solution you’ve chosen is exactly what you need. If your application involves hydraulics, you’ll find this guide useful: What are the components of a hydraulic hose assembly?

If your application involves specialist vehicles, check out:

Hydraulic hoses and fittings for specialist vehicles

What do you do with hydraulic failure in specialist vehicles?

If you’re not quite sure which clamp will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you, whether it’s a car hose clamp, industrial hose clamp, water hose clamp or anything else that you need. Whatever your requirements, you can depend on fast despatch. Request your free samples or download free CADs now.

Questions?

Email us at sales@essentracomponents.co.uk or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 0345 528 0474.