Learn about the different types of garden hoses, their advantages and disadvantages
When faced with the variety of garden hoses available, choosing the right one can be challenging. We'll outline the advantages and disadvantages of each, along with some tips for maintaining them in good condition.
You need to find the right type of hose for your garden.
A garden hose is a simple tool for gardening; it's essentially a pipe for distributing water. Garden hoses can vary in quality: they can bend and leak, they can be rigid and unbreakable, and they can be heavy and cumbersome to pull. As a skilled gardener, I've used hundreds of hoses over the years, made from a variety of materials such as vinyl, rubber, plastic, and even metal—all with their own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, we'll share some secrets you should know to find the right hose and maintain it for as long as possible.
What are the things you should consider when choosing a hose?
It should be made of high-quality materials.
You can get cheap aluminum or stamped metal pipes or plastic fittings, but copper is the best material to make hoses from and you should get the octagonal type of fitting so you can use pliers to unscrew the connection if necessary.
garden hose nozzles
If you leave an aluminum fitting connected to a brass tap for too long, a chemical reaction called galvanic corrosion will occur, fusing the two metals together and preventing the hose from ever coming out of the tap. Avoid this problem by disconnecting the hose after each use or by using plastic fittings between the metals.
You also need to take care of the hose ends; do not drop them onto concrete or narrow wires, or leave them in the passageway, as they can be crushed.
You should check the cylinder for a burst pressure greater than 350 psi. The higher the pressure, the less likely the pipe is to burst and leak if someone steps over it when it's full.
In areas where freezing can occur and become a problem, you should also look at cold weather ratings to find out if this pipe can handle the freezing water inside or not.
Use quick connectors to change water wands and sprinklers and connect the hose to the tap, as this saves time.
You should look for hoses that have collars at each end to protect that part which is prone to pulling and twisting.
You should use rubber washers because rubber lasts longer than plastic. Always make sure the washer isn't warped or cracked, as this is often a cause of leaks or a loose connection.
A hose reel is a great way to store your hose in a way that prevents tangling. Or choose something more decorative like the tube pictured below.
How to take care of your garden hose
To avoid bending your garden hose, don't turn it upside down. Also, move it to the elbow and open it to prevent the pipe from cracking. Don't bend or twist the hose to stop the water flow; instead, turn off the water at the source or with the shut-off valve. Rewind the hose after each use to keep it clean. A larger reel (2 to 3 feet in diameter) leaves the hose more relaxed and less prone to kinking when unwinding.
Proper hose storage method
When storing your hose properly, you should empty it after turning off the tap. This way, there's no room for water inside, which can cause it to expand and burst in cold winter weather. Hang your garden hose on a hanger or a wide, round reel to prevent kinks, and never use a thin nail or a single hook, as this will cause the hose to twist around it. If you're tired of struggling with your hose in the garage, this easy-to-use device is a great option.
Garden hose comparisons
In my search for the perfect tube, I tried a large number of different materials, and this is what I discovered.
vinyl pipes
Vinyl is one of the cheapest tubing options and is often reinforced with rope or nylon netting in multiple layers to make it strong and durable. It tends to be stiff and difficult to coil, and often tangles and curls up in one place, but it's a good tubing option for situations where you can leave it hanging in one spot, such as surrendering in a remote location.
Polyurethane pipes
Polyurethane hose is lightweight and doesn't kink easily, but it's somewhat stiff, so it can be difficult to coil and doesn't bend easily when dragging in the garden. Polyurethane hose also has a smaller diameter, so you'll get less water, which isn't ideal for sprinklers.
Pre-filtered polyurethane hoses
Polyurethane hoses are easy to use for quick and even watering in the yard, greenhouse, or conservatory, or next to the vegetable patch. Don't pile them up or tangle the coils together. Instead, carefully remove the hook from the hose rack or try moving the reels along a length or broom handle to keep the hose tidy.
rubber hoses
The rubber hose used in construction is durable despite its weight and can withstand impacts, yet it is flexible and easy to bend. It can kink, but it usually doesn't allow for repeated kinks. My favorite black rubber hose will scratch concrete, hands, and clothing if rubbed too much.
polymer pipes
Often safe for drinking water, this lightweight, soft, and strong material bends gently around plants, pots, corners, and coils, and is also easy to store. The polymer hose tangles easily, but the knots don't stick and unravel with a quick twist of the end, like a jump rope. It's very easy to pack because it's so lightweight that everything goes unnoticed if you unpack it before use.
metal pipes
Metal pipes are among the strongest, most expensive, and lightest pipes available. They don't tangle, although they can be bent occasionally, and you can easily pull and undo them. If the pipe gets hot in the sun, it cools down faster than other materials, so don't waste running water until it's hot. It will break in corners or cracks in the pavement, but you can use it like a whip to dislodge it. The pipe has a lower water flow rate due to its narrow internal diameter, but it can still power a sprinkler.
rubber hose
There are many versions of expansion hoses—usually a rubber tube covered in durable, stretchy fabric. It sounds unusual, but you'll love how easy it is to store. All models are 100 feet long and fit a 5-gallon tub. If you hate twisting a hose when you're finished using it, you'll love the Stretch Hose—it pops up perfectly!
Extendable hose head
You may have heard negative comments about expandable hoses bursting under pressure. I've been using mine for several seasons, and I believe the key is to get the more expensive version with brass fittings and use it carefully: run the water slowly so the pressure doesn't burst when filling, don't use the shut-off valves when the water pressure builds up in the hose, and only run it for the time you're using it. Drain all the water when you're finished, don't drive over it, and store it away from heat, direct sunlight, and freezing temperatures.