Tips to Help You Choose the Right Garden Hose

Every home needs a garden hose to facilitate activities such as watering the lawn, cleaning the car and washing the pavements. A good plumbing hose should provide you with prolonged service and the essential repairs should be minimal. There are different products available in the market and your choice will depend on your watering requirements. Here are the main factors to consider when choosing an ideal garden hose.

Material

The material used to manufacture the plumbing product will determine the durability and usability of the hose. The main types of water hoses are made from rubber, vinyl and polyurethane. Rubber is a good choice because it is durable and very flexible. It does not form kinks easily and it is not very vulnerable to abrasions and cuts during use. Moreover, it is not easily affected by varying temperatures, water pressure and extended usage. On the other hand, rubber garden hoses are heavy so they are not easy to move. Also, high quality products are relatively expensive for many homeowners.

Vinyl hoses are appropriate when you are working with a limited budget but their short lifespan can easily offset the initial savings. They are suited for light and infrequent watering tasks because they are susceptible to structural damage. You can choose a hose with several plies if you want to use the product for heavier tasks. Polyurethane garden hoses are highly advantageous because they are extremely flexible and durable. They do not form kinks easily and they are also lighter than the traditional rubber hoses. However, they are costly.

Fittings

The hose is attached to the water source via fittings. It is important to ensure that these are sturdy to mitigate the risk of leaks at the connection point. Generally, plastic and brass hose fittings are used in garden hoses and each has benefits and drawbacks. Cast brass fittings are highly durable and unsusceptible to mechanical damage. They do not leak easily and they will weather or rust after prolonged use. However, they are heavier and harder to install and tighten. Plastic fittings are easy to connect but they are vulnerable to breakage and their lifespan is limited.

Length

Garden hoses are available in a wide range of lengths depending on the chosen manufacturer. You should measure the potential maximum length that you will need the hose to cover before purchase. This will ensure that you do not strain the connections or damage the structure. However, you should not purchase the longest hose available because it will be heavy and hard to handle.

For more tips or assistance, consult companies like Yatala Pumping & Irrigation.