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Along with weeding and dealing with pests, watering is one of a gardener’s most important tasks. An expandable hose can make giving your thirsty plants a drink easier, as well as washing your car, rinsing off your deck, or bathing your canine friend. This type of hose can do everything a regular hose can do, with a few extra benefits.
Choosing the right expandable hose is certainly more challenging than using one. Consider the benefits and drawbacks of expandable hoses and their features in order to find the right solution for you.
Expandable hoses stretch and enlarge when water flows through them and shrink when the water is off. These hoses have two layers: the inner layer consists of a tube made of flexible material; the outer layer is usually some type of fabric, such as polyester. This dual-layer construction is what enables the hose to expand and contract.
Expandable hoses have a lot of benefits over traditional garden hoses, as well as some drawbacks. Here are the main pros and cons to keep in mind when deciding whether an expandable model is right for your needs.
Pros:
Lightweight
Very portable; easy to carry
Easy to drain after use
No kinks
No tangles
Water flows easily
Cons:
Tough to store neatly (some models)
Less durable
Easy to puncture
Difficult to repair
Where will you be using your expandable hose? What will you use it for? If you need to water lots of plants in a large garden, opt for a longer hose. If you only need to water potted plants on a small deck, a shorter hose will do. Most of these hoses expand to about three times their length, to 25, 50, 75, or 100 feet.
Pay attention to the fittings that come with an expandable hose.
Plastic connectors crack easily and aren’t as durable as those made of metal.
Brass won’t corrode and is a much sturdier option overall.
Most expandable hoses have a fabric covering made of polyester, but the core material may be one of two types of material: latex or TPC.
Dual- or triple-layer latex: This is a sturdy, high-quality core material. A triple layer core is more durable but less flexible than a dual-layer core.
Expandable hoses come in different colors. Depending on your taste and landscaping, you can choose from neutral black to bright colors like green or blue.
Cheap expandable hoses aren’t going to last very long no matter what the marketing copy promises. A higher price will get you a hose of better quality.
In most cases, the longer the hose, the more it will cost.
Expect to pay at least $30 for a good-quality 25-foot expandable hose to at least $50 for a durable 100-foot expandable hose.
Turn the water off when the hose is not in use. This is especially important if you’re in an area that experiences sudden drops in temperature at night.
Open the nozzle sprayer’s shutoff valve to prevent leaks.
Drain the hose. Once you’re done using the expandable hose, it’s important to drain it so that it can fully contract. This prevents water from freezing inside and reduces the chances of bacteria contaminating the water. (This is particularly important if you’re using the water for bathing or drinking.)
Store your expandable hose out of direct sunlight. Many come with a storage bag for this purpose.
Store your expandable hose inside during the winter months. Otherwise, you might find your hose riddled with leaks in the spring.
Q. My expandable hose has sprung a leak! What can I do to fix it?
A. Most expandable hoses can’t be fixed once punctured. Instead, look for products that come with a replacement warranty. It’s almost a given that your expandable model will spring a leak at some point. Choosing a product with a good warranty and replacement policy is your best option.
Q. I’m sick of my regular garden hose getting tangled and kinked. Will an expandable hose make my life easier?
A. An expandable hose is much less likely to get tangled and won’t kink like a regular hose. However, very long expandable hoses can still get tangled, but because they’re much lighter than regular hoses, it’s a lot easier to untangle them.
Q. Can I use my garden hose in the winter?
A. Yes, but you’ll need to be extra careful about doing so. Use your hose as needed, but remember to immediately shut off the outdoor water supply when you’re done to avoid freezing and potentially damaging your water pipes. Also drain your hose before storing it to keep it from cracking and freezing.
