Tips on Buying a Garden Hose

Posted By taylors on September 23, 2017

How many garden hoses will you go through in a lifetime? Well, that depends on how smart of a consumer you are. While length is important, it’s not the most important factor to consider when it comes time to make yet another garden hose purchase. Let this one be your last with these valuable buying tips.

The size of the garden hose is important but not as much as you’d think. When purchasing a new garden hose, keep in mind that two or more hoses can be linked together, creating the length you need to cover your entire property. Having one long hose can be more trouble than it’s worth. Many of the watering jobs around your home won’t need several hundred feet of hose and dragging around the excess will have you wishing for a more manageable length. It is wise to consider purchasing more than one hose to create the length you want as this will, in the end, leave you with more versatility. Two or more hoses can easily be linked together.

Functionality
You wouldn’t think with a garden hose only having one job, that functionality could vary, but it does. Functionality should be considered when you make that hose purchase. High on the list of qualities you want in a garden hose is for it to be kink resistant. Don’t always believe what the packaging is claiming. They all claim to be kink free. Perform a few tests yourself, right there in the store. Grab hold a couple of feet of hose and bend it back on itself. If it kinks in the store it will most certainly kink after baking in the sun for hours. A thicker hose will not bend and kink as easily. You can expect to pay $35 – $50 for a good quality 50-foot hose.

Durability
A hose that you invest in should last you many years. Choosing a hose made from quality materials is key. Choose a garden hose that has brass fittings, they will be crush proof and should indicate the overall quality of the hose itself. Brass fittings will be sure to last the life of the garden hose. If you are buying more than one hose, ensure that the couplings are also made of quality brass. Look for a hose that is made of rubber. They are more durable and hold up better under extreme temperatures. They provide better flexibility than their vinyl counterparts but can be heavier. Vinyl hoses are less expensive to purchase but won’t last nearly as long, requiring you to make that purchase over and over again.

Cost
If you are in the market for a quality hose, you must be prepared to pay for it. Like most things, you only get what you pay for. A quality rubber garden hose with brass fittings will likely cost up to 50% more than it’s counterpart. Consider purchasing your new garden hose at the very beginning of the season or at the end of the season. This is when you are more likely to find sales on garden hoses. If it’s not urgent and you have patience, always wait for a sale.

Finally, buying a garden hose shouldn’t be something you have to do every year. Buy smart the first time and your new garden hose can last a lifetime.

Contact us today for further information on this topic and all other plumbing matters, our team of experts at Taylor’s Plumbing will be glad to help.