How Do I Choose a Garden Hose-3 Steps

how do I choose a garden hose

Are you planning to buy a new garden hose to water your plants? Believe it or not, you need to consider some factors before that. Your next question may be—how do I choose a garden hose? Worry not! This article lays out the answers to all your questions regarding a garden hose.

Be it for gardening or washing your car, at some point in time you will surely need a hose. When you go to a store, you will come across a multitude of options within the garden hose section itself. Choosing one of them can be baffling.

Here are the points that you should consider to get the correct garden hose for your needs.

How Do I Choose a Garden Hose-3 Steps :

1. The Thickness of a Garden Hose

You want a hose that can last at least a few years, right? The thicker the hose, the stronger it will be. Once you buy a garden hose, it will be pulled around, stepped over, and dragged through your lawn. A garden hose that is resistant to such wear and tear is what you need. Hoses are usually made of several layers. It can be measured in terms of ply. If you have a hose with only two plies, it will wear out pretty soon. A hose with six plies is considered to be the

2. Material and Quality

This factor is directly linked to the previous one. The material of a garden hose will determine how thick it is, along with how long it will last. Apart from these, the material plays a key role in setting the cost of your chosen garden hose.

Rubber: These hoses are highly flexible. You can turn them around all you want without the fear of cuts or breakage. However, rubber hoses are the most expensive of the lot.

Vinyl: If you are looking for a cheap option, you can buy a Vinyl hose. It is very light and easy to carry around. Still, you must note that though it does not cost much, it is not at all durable.

Polyurethane: These hoses are primarily built with synthetic rubbers, having the qualities of both plastic and rubber. Polyurethane or PU hoses are flexible and highly resistant to harsh conditions.

Metal: Metal = Sturdy. It will not kink, rip, rust, and can save you a lot of time and effort. Cons : heavier

3. Diameter and Length

To get a high flow rate of a garden hose you must choose one with higher diameter. Hoses with small diameters allow less water to pass through them at a given time. The common garden hoses may have a diameter of 1/2, 5/8, or 3/4 inches.

For example, in one minute, 5.9 gallons of water can pass through a hose having a diameter of 1/2 inches. However, the hose with a diameter of 5/8 inches can allow 10.6 gallons of water to flow in one minute.

Apart from that, the longer the hose, the less flow rate you will have. It is no rocket science! The same amount of water can pass sooner through a shorter hose than a longer one. The average garden hose used in houses may vary from 50 to 150 feet in length.

Final Words

Irrespective of its material and quality, your garden hose will last long only if you maintain it. Avoid letting hot water pass through your hose and remove the kinks whenever you notice. Do not leave your garden hose exposed to direct sun for more than a few hours.