Watering hose: which hose to choose

What materials are irrigation hoses made of?

Let us dwell in more detail on the materials from which hoses for irrigation are usually made.

1. Rubber hose. Garden hoses made from the simplest and cheapest material - rubber - have a number of advantages:

• they are durable and elastic;
• do not deteriorate under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;
• resistant to slight frosts (down to –5 ° C);
• withstand pressure up to 35 atmospheres;
• more expensive models are pressed from several layers of rubber.

Single layer rubber hose can be chosen, but will not be as durable as multi-layer

Among the shortcomings, we note:

• the large weight of the hose, it is inconvenient to carry it around the site, especially for the elderly;
• the material from which cheap hoses are made may contain harmful impurities that have a detrimental effect on plants.

2. PVC hose. PVC hoses come in several varieties - single-layer and multi-layer, with or without reinforcement. The simplest is one-layer, transparent, without a reinforcing frame. The most reliable and durable version is a three-layer hose, painted in reflective colors, with a reinforcing mesh. What are the advantages of PVC hose:

• cross-shaped reinforcement withstands pressures up to 40 bar;
• reinforced multilayer hoses can last up to 35 years;
• the multilayer structure includes food and non food plastic, which prevents the growth of algae;
• PVC hoses maintain a stable head and constant water pressure;
• low price.

PVC hoses have good tensile strength

However, the disadvantages of PVC hoses are also quite serious:

• single-layer hoses quickly break, twist and become unusable;
• PVC hoses fade in the sun and quickly lose their elasticity with the onset of cold weather;
• algae and harmful microorganisms grow and multiply inside transparent models.

3. Nylon hose. This material is commonly used in clothing, but some garden hoses are also made from it. What are the advantages of this type of sleeves:

• they are incredibly lightweight and flexible;
• low price of the product.

Nylon hoses are very fragile and barely last for a season

There are still more disadvantages to nylon hoses:

• poorly tolerate high and low temperatures;
• withstand a pressure of no more than 5 bar;
• easily deformed and lose elasticity.

We will also mention a few less common varieties of garden hoses:

• plastic - transparent and lightweight, but very fragile and fragile hose. Lime deposits often form inside it, and any temperature drop has a bad effect on the life of the product;
• the self-expanding hose, which is often advertised on TV, is lightweight, can quickly twist and is resistant to mechanical damage. But the disadvantages of cheap and fake models are that such a hose fits only a pipe with a certain thread, its connections are fragile, and when the pressure drops, it also spontaneously twists;
• flat - a very flexible and lightweight hose that must be completely unwound before each use. It is quite brittle, and if you leave it in the sun for the whole day, its walls can stick together.

In addition to damage to the hose itself, it sometimes also breaks threads or metal parts fall apart.

As a special variety, we single out the drip irrigation hose - it is a flat tape with small holes along its entire length. This allows for drip irrigation of flowers, garden crops, shrubs and trees under the root for several seasons.

Table: comparison of characteristics

But back to the reviews on X Hoz:

A few more reviews:

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– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

So we have come to unravel the mystery of why many people were unhappy with the purchase of an extension hose.

Why does the Xhose hose deteriorate quickly?

Because this is not a real Xhose hose, but its cheap fake, with which almost all household markets are now inundated. Such a “miracle” costs 2-3 times cheaper than its proprietary counterpart, but it works not 2 times less, but we can say that only 2 times.

If you order a miracle hose for irrigation on a specialized website, then they give a guarantee of 6 months, and this, if not 100%, is a decent guarantee that the hose will not break in a couple of days.

Why doesn't the hose grow 3 times as advertised?

Firstly, advertising is a bit of a lie for a catchphrase. Under all favorable conditions, the hose increases by about 2.8 times.

The second reason is insufficient water pressure in the tap.

I almost forgot ...

The most important remark, which for some reason almost no one talks about either in advertising or in reviews of it, and that the manufacturer honestly pointed out in the instructions for his product: they cannot be used for drinking water, but only for watering, washing cars, territory etc. I have everything for today

Thank you for having the patience to read this far.

That's all for today. Thank you for having the patience to read this far.

P.S.

Yes, I understand what you want to ask:

- Marina, here you are crucifying about the miracle of the hose, why don't you buy it yourself?

Well, before I somehow did not think about it, if not for my friend, maybe now I would not have asked about the xhose irrigation hose and did not look for reviews about it

Because I, like most of you, skip the advertisement and do not focus on it.

But this is not the main reason. At my dacha, the water pressure in the well is very weak, so it does not suit me yet. Just for tomorrow we called a specialist and we will resolve the issue with the pumping station, and if we manage to increase the water pressure, then I will definitely buy such a hose for myself, it is painfully cute.

And I'm not too scared by the fact that I actually found more negative reviews about X-Hoz than positive ones.Purely logically, it can be assumed that those people who have failed, who have been deceived or offended are in a hurry to write complaints. If a person bought a quality product, then he just goes to the garden and gladly waters his garden with a new hose, and does not look for sites and forums where to discuss his merits.

Marina Makarova

Execution options

In addition to the material classification, the hoses are also distinguished by the version.

• Single layer. The cheapest and most short-lived, but the lowest cost.
• Multi-layered. Resistant to external adverse factors, fractures and other deformations. This also includes reinforced hoses, one of the layers of which is a mesh in the form of reinforcement.
• Stretchable. This is a kind of know-how in this area. It is very convenient to store, in addition, a special fabric cover on top perfectly protects the hose itself from damage and contamination.
• Spiral. Such a hose will not be suitable for a very large area, but for a small personal plot it is a great solution.
• Corrugated. The corrugation is less prone to deformation, which prolongs the service life of the hose, but increases its cost.

PALISAD watering set

PALISAD watering set

PALISAD watering set

Multifunctional irrigation kit with stretch hose, connecting adapters and 7-way spray. The burst pressure is 8 bar, but the sleeve is able to withstand this pressure due to 3 layers of material: two-layer latex and polyester fiber.

When not in use, the hose weighs only 930 g with a length of 6.6 m, and when filled with water, it stretches up to 20 m in 2-3 minutes. The sprinkler is designed for continuous use under high load conditions.

PROS:

• wear-resistant
• quickly stretches three times longer and can be assembled without human assistance
• takes up little space
• easy to carry

MINUSES:

poor quality adapter material

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GARDENA Basic 1/2 ″

GARDENA Basic 1/2 ″

GARDENA Basic 1/2
Polyvinyl chloride watering sleeve with textile reinforcement, free of fluoride and heavy metals. The hose is suitable for regular use and is well stored outdoors, without drying out from UV radiation and not rotting from precipitation. Withstands up to 20 bar pressure of water pressure on the inner walls, with a weight of 2 kg.

PROS:

• long exposure to the sun does not affect the strength and softness of the material
• low price
• does not twist when used

MINUSES:

• when folding for the winter, creases may remain
• by the criterion of flexibility - 2 out of 6

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4. Length and diameter of the hose

Surely you have already decided on the hose material that suits you, with the type of hose execution that will satisfy your needs and the way it is used. Now it is worth deciding on the required length and diameter.In specialized stores, you can purchase garden hoses for a cut or in a bay. The most common length of the last option is 15, 20, 25, 30.50 meters. The most common diameters are 1/2 "or 12.5-13 mm, ¾" or 18-19-20 mm, 5/8 "or 16 mm, 1" or 25-25.4 mm or 1 and 1/2 "or 31, 5-32 mm.

With the choice of length, everything is simple - given the size of your site, choose a value that will allow you to stretch the hose along the entire length of the beds from the water supply point and along the diagonal of the site. In this case, it will definitely not be enough. Consider the way in which it is possible to move around your garden or orchard. If you can get to the farthest bed only along the path, which is lined with the letter "G", then you need to take into account exactly this distance to the fence point. If you find it difficult to navigate - draw a rough plan of the site, the location of paths and beds on it with dimensions. Think about how the hose will be positioned when watering, and simply add up all the distances that need to be covered.If you are choosing a drip hose or a trickling hose that runs the length of your plantings, add the lengths of the plot as many times as there are beds and remember to factor in the distance to the tap. If necessary and for convenience, several hoses of different lengths can be connected to each other using connectors, which can be made in the form of a herringbone, tee or cross. They are fastened using galvanized or stainless steel clamps with worm or bolted connections. But keep in mind that a large number of connections impairs the speed and power of the water supply.

With regard to the choice of diameter. The main rule is that the diameter of the inner, not the outer hole should be directly proportional to the length of the hose. Only then will you be able to provide constant and sufficient water pressure... If the length of the hose is short, and the diameter of the hole is set to the maximum, you will get a thin trickle. The water pressure is simply minimized in the wide internal cavity. Also, the large diameter of the hole assumes the presence of high water pressure. If your site does not differ in this indicator, then it is better to purchase hoses with a smaller diameter. Conclusion - the longer the hose, the larger the diameter should be, provided that water is supplied under sufficient pressure.

How to operate and store a garden hose

The operation of even such a simple variety of garden tools as a watering hose should be gentle and tidy. It is enough to follow a few simple rules:

• the equipment must be protected from direct sunlight, temperature extremes, rodents and insects. Store the hose in a dark and cool place, coiled into coils, high above the ground, if possible in the original packaging;
• do not place garden wheelbarrows, buckets or other weights on the hose;
• watering the garden, make sure that the hose does not rub against sharp corners and objects;
• smoothly change the pressure and do not exceed the maximum permissible level of water pressure, otherwise the hose may burst;
• try not to use the hose during the cold season and do not leave it outside overnight;
• in the fall, drain the remaining water from the hose, dry it and hang it in the shed where all the tools are stored.

Store the sleeve rolled up above the ground as shown in the photo

So, it is impossible to unequivocally answer the question which hose is better. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. In addition, you need to select a hose depending on the area of ​​the site and the number of plants. Ideally, when planning to buy a hose, it is better to try out the model you like right on the site and purchase the equipment only after a thorough "test drive".

Table: comparison of characteristics

The watering hose should be lightweight, strong and durable

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Special hoses

Many summer residents have long heard such novelties as a miracle hose, a fog hose, an oozing and elastic hose. All these developments are actively advertised by manufacturers, but gardeners often face some difficulties in their operation. Therefore, before buying non-standard irrigation systems, it is advisable to study in detail their characteristics and purpose.

The silicone hose receives mixed reviews. It is very elastic and lightweight, does not bend or curl, does not injure plants. However, it is not designed for pressure irrigation, that is, sprinklers and sprinkler systems cannot be connected to it. Such a device is convenient to use when irrigating the beds from a container by gravity or for spring water-charging irrigation of trees and berries. Even a slight pressure inside the product leads to its stretching and rupture. It is also not recommended to leave it under the scorching sun.

The Xhose self-expanding hose is very popular, which is compact in storage and practical to use. It is intended for cottages with a good water pressure, and in the conditions of a summer cottage, the manufacturers' idea may not work.

Xhose is indispensable for many country house cleaning jobs, as well as for watering flower beds and ornamental shrubs. Light weight and good crushing ability allow it to be quickly prepared for work and also quickly put away for storage.

Compact stretchable spiral PVC hoses are also gaining popularity among summer residents due to their convenience and practicality of use. In areas with a small planting area that need regular watering, such an assistant will be very useful to you.

The next novelty - the trickle hose - can replace the drip hose. The advantage of this type is that it is a complete system, for the functioning of which it is enough to connect it to a container with water. At the same time, humidification occurs along the entire length of the system, which is convenient for watering green and root crops.

However, when using untreated water for irrigation, it is quickly clogged with mechanical impurities, in addition, over time, silt and algae may appear in it, therefore, for long-term operation, it is necessary to install cleaning filters and periodic flushing of the hoses.

An equally effective method of irrigation is provided by a sprinkler hose. Along its entire length, there are small holes through which thin streams of water break through.

The advantage of such irrigation is the absence of a crust on the soil surface.The diameter of the irrigated area and the height of fog formation are regulated by the water pressure. In case of insufficient pressure, irrigation will be superficial and only narrow strips along the system will fall into the coverage area.

The presented types of hoses are sold complete with all the connecting elements. A wide range of colors allows you to use them in the most sophisticated landscape compositions without breaking the harmony.