When to Replace Your Garden Hose

Is your garden hose still holding up to the job you need it to do? If you’re like most gardeners, you keep your garden hose for years, long past the time it’s ready to be replaced. Does your hose leak, kink or make your life difficult in the garden and yard? A new garden hose could be the answer to your problems. If your garden hose is more than five years old, it may be time to think about replacing it with a new model.

What’s New in Garden Hoses?

Garden hoses are relatively low-tech in the world of garden accessories so it may surprise you to find out that there have been a number of advances that make today’s garden hoses safer and easier to use than the one that’s hooked up to your outdoor faucet today. These are a few of the advances and advantages you should look for when replacing your old garden hose.

Safer Materials

A recent study by a major consumer safety group found that nearly every one of the garden hoses they tested leaked some quantity of lead and other unsafe chemicals into the water that ran through them. Lead can cause major neurological and physical problems if it is ingested, especially by children. If you water edible plants with your garden hose fill a children’s pool with water from it or if you or your children drink from the garden hose on a hot day, look for a drinking safe garden hose. Originally developed for use in RVs and other applications that would be delivering potable water, they’re now available for general use. You can easily buy a 50-foot 1/2 inch garden hose or 3/4 inch garden hose in any home improvement store or department store.

More Convenient Storage

Do you garden on your patio or another small or enclosed space? A standard garden hose can be difficult to maneuver in close quarters, and even more difficult to store. A coil garden hose is designed for use in small, enclosed spaces like patios and decks. Unlike a standard garden hose a coil garden hose compresses itself into a coiled spring. When it’s coiled, the hose takes up little space but it can be extended to more than twice its coiled length when you’re using it. You won’t even need a garden hose reel to keep it neat and tidy.

In addition to these two innovations in garden hose technology, you can also buy garden hoses that expand when you use them, high-volume garden hoses like a one inch water hose or a heated garden hose that you can use outdoors throughout the coldest months.

If your garden hose is ready for a replacement, do some research and find the best options to replace your old, worn-out hose. If you choose well, you’ll get years of service from it.