How To Pick A Right Garden Hose

How To Pick A Right Garden Hose

A good garden hose should last 5 to 10 years. But many homeowners who buy lower quality hoses end up replacing theirs each year due to leaks, cracks or rot. Although some problems can be repaired, it’s generally more cost-effective to buy a good quality hose to begin with.

There isn’t just one kind of garden hose that’s perfect for everyone. What works best for you will depend on the size of the area in which you’ll be using it, what you’ll use the hose for and where you’ll store it, as well as your budget. in general, there are six things you should consider when choosing a garden hose:

 

1.Length

Only buy the length you need, no longer.

From 5-foot-long leader hoses to 100-foot options that can reach around a good-sized garden. It’s tempting to buy one longer hose and use it for all of your watering needs around the garden. But don’t do it. Not only do longer hoses cost more, but they’re heavier to move around, need more storage space, can be difficult to drain before putting them away for the winter, and can result in lower water pressure coming out the end.

Measure the farthest distance from your spigot and buy a hose that goes just beyond that. You don’t want to tug on the hose to stretch it out as that’s likely to cause snags or leaks. The most popular standard length is 50 feet, which is a happy medium for most people.

2.Hose Diameter

The standard diameter for a residential garden model is 5/8 inch, but 1/2 and 3/4-inch sizes are also widely available,there are even a few smaller, 7/16-inch choices out there. These measurements are based on the inside diameter of the hose, not the outside. The bigger the diameter, the more water the hose will carry.

If your needs are standard, buy a 5/8-inch size. larger sizes, such as 3/4 inch, are generally used for commercial applications.

3.Material

You’ll commonly find garden hoses made of rubber, vinyl, or a combination of the two.

Rubber is Best, Rubber hoses are generally the strongest and most long-lasting, but also carry the highest price tag and can be heavy to haul around the garden. Rubber has the added benefits of being able to carry hot water, being less likely to kink, and resisting cracking and ozone deterioration (so they don’t fall apart if left in the sun). For heavy duty use and a hose that lasts through many seasons, rubber is the best choice.

A middle-of-the-road option is a composite rubber/vinyl garden hose.

A basic vinyl hose (usually reinforced with a radial cord) is the least expensive and most lightweight option but also the least sturdy. It’s more prone to kinking, splitting and cracking than other materials and can degrade quickly if left in the sun or exposed to harsh weather. The material you choose will in large part determine how long it will last.

4.Couplings

The couplings (also called fittings), Garden hose couplings are the end pieces that attach to spigots, sprinklers and nozzles.Less expensive hoses often have plastic couplings. Avoid these – they’re more prone to leaks, cracks and breakage and often can’t be tightened properly. Plastic also breaks down quickly, particularly when left in the sun.

The most common metal used for couplings is brass, either true brass or chrome-plated. But aluminum, stainless, and other types of metal can be used as well, depending upon the hose’s intended use.

Couplings made from cast brass are the most durable and leak-resistant. Thin stamped-metal fittings can be difficult to tighten at the spigot, bend easily (so don’t step on it or run over it with the lawnmower or car), and break down over time.

The best couplings are hexagon-shaped and octagon-shaped, making them easier to grip and tighten, particularly for those of us with stiff fingers or lower grip strength.If the coupling gets stuck, an octagonal rather than round shape is also easier to grip with a pair of pliers. Smooth, round couplings are definitely harder to get a grip on.

While many hoses come with a washer inserted into the coupling, these are often thin plastic washers that quickly break down. We always recommend that you use a high quality rubber washer at the connection point between the hose fitting and the spigot or nozzle. This will help prevent leaks.

Look for a collar. Quality hoses often have a plastic or rubber “collar” extending perhaps four to six inches up the hose from one coupling. This reduces the odds of a kink or split near the spigot, where they are particularly common.

5.Flexibility

You want a garden hose that’s flexible (for easy storage, going around corners, etc.) but not so flexible that it kinks easily. Kinking leads to splitting and shortens the life of your hose. While all garden hoses will kink if twisted (yes, even the “kink-free” hoses), some are better than others. In general, rubber hoses are less likely to kink than other kinds.

This flexible hose with lightweight will bring you an enjoyable experience for your home water supply. Support most-weather and easy to roll up and lay flat in cold weather.No Permanent Kink Memory .Just open the faucet and lay flat the hose under the normal water pressure, kink will disappear.

6.Safety

If you or your pets will be drinking from the hose or if you’re using it to fill a pool that will be used by children, make sure that your garden hose doesn’t leach harmful chemicals.

Most garden hoses are made with materials like plasticizers that give the hose flexibility but also contain chemicals, like BPA, lead, and phthalates, that find their way into the water in the hose. While these chemicals don’t harm your plants, they are toxic to humans.

Look for hoses labeled “drinking water safe” or at least “lead-free” – you’ll often find them sold for recreational use, such as for use in boats and RVs. These hoses are made with non-toxic, FDA-approved inner cores that don’t leach harmful chemicals.

And let water run through the hose until it’s cold before watering your vegetables or other edibles (chemicals leach from the hose and concentrate in the water as it heats up inside a hose that’s been left in the sun). 

If you are looking for a garden hose that is Lightweight, Highly Flexible, Kink Free, Extremely Durable, Lead Free Brass Ends, Non-marking, Easy to coil for hassle free use

We recommend you


2 comments


  • Shammy Petersons

    It caught my attention when you pointed out that rubber hoses are less likely to kink because they offer flexibility. My mother is interested in shopping for a garden hose early next week, so she can easily care for her plants. I will share your tips with her because she wants to find a garden hose can last for a long time. https://www.hoselink.com/collections/hoses-and-reels


  • Elina Brooks

    I recently started taking an interest in gardening, so I need a proper hose to use for my plants and lawn if I want to water them well. I’m thankful you recommended that we get hose couplings that are hexagon-shaped and octagon-shaped since they will help make it easier for us to grip and tighten the hose. I’ll keep this in mind while I look for suppliers to contact about hose couplers soon. http://metal360.ca/couplers.php


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