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Garden Hoses
The amount of water a garden hose will carry is determined by three factors: size, length, and available water pressure. The inside diameter of the hose determines its efficiency. Hoses can also be compared by burst strength; the higher the pressure per square inch (psi), the stronger the hose. The number of material layers that go into making the hose also measures the strength. The more plys, the greater strength, flexibility, and kink resistance. Reinforcement is the primary factor in quality, and burst-pressure rating. Lower quality hoses have a burst rating of 50-200 psi; high-quality hoses go up to 500 psi. Garden hoses are constructed of rubber, vinyl, rubber-vinyl, or nylon, and are typically 1/2", 5/8", 3/4"-In. diameter and 25'-100' long. Almost all models have integrated reinforced mesh (either knit, spiral, dual-spiral or knit-spiral). Hoses also have the ability to be combined together with couplings that screw together. Keep in mind that those with crush-resistant brass couplings will experience fewer leaks.
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| Rubber hose is the top-of-the-line hose available for purchase by homeowners. It is usually reinforced with tire cord fiber that has a good resistance to weathering, cracking and kinks. It is the heaviest and most durable hose type. The couplings should be full-flow, meaning internally expanded to maintain inside diameter for better water flow. Most rubber hoses can be used with hot water. |
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| Rubber-vinyl hose combines the strength and durability of rubber with the lightness of vinyl, making them easy to use. They typically have a higher burst strength which makes it more popular among homeowners. |
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| Vinyl hose is the most common type of hose since it performs most needed household uses at a reasonable price. Although it is lightweight, a two-ply vinyl hose is more susceptible to sun damage and deteriorates more rapidly than a rubber hose. Non-reinforced vinyl is adequate for use with rotary or oscillating sprinklers but not with anything that includes an integrated shut-off valve. |
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| Nylon hose has fallen out of favor in recent years. When trying to get a kink out of the hose, never tug on it, this will cause the kink to permanently set in. Instead work the kink out by hand. Inexpensive hoses tend to kink easily because they have thinner walls and they also tend to spring leaks at the kink points. Always store the hose for winter by coiling it on a hose hanger and clean out the fittings before storage. |
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| Soaker hoses use thousands of tiny holes to allow water to seep out slowly over its entire length. This type of hose saves significant amounts of water compared to other means of sprinkling. Hoses can be run on top of ground, under mulch or buried, and will help the hose last for years. If buried, the end of the soaker hose should be wrapped in plastic to prevent dirt from clogging it. The best way to compare different models is by looking at the number of gallons per hour per foot each hose is rated. Generally, vinyl and rubber hoses are more durable if you plan to bury it because they will not decay. |
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Coiled hoses
Think of it as a giant telephone cord for your garden. A coiled hose is great for those of us who don't want to wind up hoses any more. They stretch out when pulled and snap back into a spiral shape when you're done. |
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