About Choosing a New Garden Hose

Spring may seem a long way off, but the winter months will fly by more quickly than you know. Before long, you’ll be getting ready to roll out the garden hose for spring cleaning and gardening chores. Will your garden hose be strong enough to stand up to the daily use you’ll give it or will you find that it gets increasingly leaky and annoying to use with each passing day?

If your garden hose needs replacing, you’ll find hoses in a wide variety of materials, lengths, diameters and fittings, as well as hoses with specific features that suit them for particular uses. Choosing the right garden hose is a fairly simple matter, but it does take a little time and consideration.

Construction, Size and Maintenance

When deciding which garden hose to buy, consider your climate and the way you intend to use it. Most hoses for home use are made from vinyl or rubber, or a combination of the two, but you’ll find many that are reinforced with nylon or fabric to add to their strength and flexibility. You can buy a garden hose as short as 10 feet long and longer than 100 feet. A 1/2 inch garden hose is a good choice for small gardening chores, though most experts recommend at 5/8 inch garden hose for typical household use – it carries more water and can deliver higher water pressure. If you’re planning to use your garden hose with a pressure washer or you need stronger water flow, a 1 inch water hose can deliver.

Climate Considerations

You’ll want a garden hose that can survive both the drying heat of the sun’s UV rays and, depending on the climate, the cold of winter. Vinyl garden hoses are fine for milder climates and light use. If you live in a harsher climate and will use the garden hose during the winter, consider a rubber garden hose, which is more expensive but will last longer and can carry hot water as well as cold. If your garden hose will be used through freezing temperatures, consider a heated garden hose, designed to keep ice jams from forming in the hose.

Size and Garden Hose Fittings

When you choose a garden hose, you should consider both length and diameter. Choose a garden hose that’s long enough to reach everywhere you need to water without tugging and pulling on it. At the same time, keep in mind that longer hoses are heavier, harder to maneuver and have a greater chance of being accidentally snagged or punctured. Look for garden hose fittings made of brass rather than plastic – they’re easier to replace if need be and are less likely to be crushed or broken. Octagonal fittings are easier to screw and unscrew on the spigot than standard round garden hose fittings.

Keep in mind that there are many different types of specialty garden hoses, including coil garden hose for use in small spaces and drinking safe garden hose for carrying potable water. When choosing a garden hose, consider all the important factors to make sure you get a hose that will do the job you need efficiently and effectively.