There are so many garden hoses that you can buy and they’re not so different from one another. As a result, you might be tempted to buy the hose that’s the cheapest in the market. However, those little differences between garden hoses might greatly affect their lifespan, durability, and flexibility.
For example, a high-quality hose is built to last for 5-10 years. However, if you go for cheaper products, you might end up buying a new hose every year. Even if the hose can be fixed, you will save a lot of money when you buy one that will last a long time
This article focuses on the most important things you should consider before buying a garden hose. This will help you buy a product that meets your needs.
Garden Hose: Buyer’s Guide
1. The length of the hose
Garden hoses have different lengths. The lengths can be 25-foot to as high as 100-foot. Now you might feel that a longer hose is better and might be tempted to go for the 100-foot hose. However, that might not be the best for you. Longer hoses are more difficult to carry around, are more expensive, harder to drain, and require more storage space.
A 25-foot hose is ideal when used on a balcony. If you need a hose for your yard, then a hose that’s 50-foot long can be used. However, if you feel that you need something longer, joining two hoses will be better than dragging a 100-foot hose around your house.
2. The hose diameter, width, and water flow
Most garden hoses have a diameter of ¾ inch, 5/8 inch, or half an inch. A hose with a bigger diameter will be able to carry more water. In most cases, a hose with a width of 5/8 inch is the ideal choice because it provides the perfect combination of pressure and flow.
Half-inch hoses are generally lightweight and are best suited for people who have a problem with hose weight. However, the small diameter means they carry less water. These hoses should only be used for less tedious gardening tasks. They are not well-suited for sprinklers or any task that requires a lot of water pressure.
3. The material used for the hose
Most garden hoses are either made from vinyl, rubber, or from both. The vinyl hose is very cheap and is very lightweight. However, it is also not as sturdy as the rest and is likely to kink, split, or crack. If left under the sun for a long time, it can also degrade quickly. If you want a hose for less tedious tasks, then a hose made from vinyl is a good option.
Rubber hoses, on the other hand, are the strongest, and they last longer. However, they are also the most expensive. Another downside is that they are heavy and as such, can be difficult to move around. Rubber isn’t prone to kinking and cracking. It is also ideal for more tedious gardening tasks.
A combination of these two materials can take higher water pressure levels and they are less prone to splitting and kinking. However, vinyl and rubber hoses are not safe for drinking as they can leach harmful chemicals.
