How to Find a Garden Expandable Hose
The Greeks were the first to use an expandable hose, thousands of years ago. Interestingly, the expandable hoses were not for watering their gardens, but for spraying fire at their enemies during war. And unlike modern hoses, they used animal intestines – there was no technology to make materials such as rubber. Regardless, they worked well.
In recent years, expandable hoses have become an attractive option for people that want an effective and user-friendly hose. The current generations of expandable hoses are flexible and lightweight. They are long, and at the same time, compact to make storage easier – a 150ft can expand three times to be 50ft long. That flexibility is what makes the hoses so attractive.
How Expandable Hoses work
The expandable hose [click here for reviews] normally has two layers, the inner tube, and the outer tube. The outer tube is a special stretchable material normally polyester or nylon, and the internal tube material is TPC or latex.
You first close the shutoff valve before turning the water on. Pressure builds up from the blocked water, causing the inner tube to expand and reach to its optimal length. You then release the valve and use the expandable hose like any other hose.
Finding the Right Expandable Hose
Popular products have many sellers, both genuine, and no so genuine, then the rest on the market. If you are not careful, you may find yourself with something that claims to be an expandable hose but is entirely something else. The following are some of the things to think about before making the all-important purchase decision.
- Hose Materials: the internal, as well as, the external hose material, determine the quality and durability of the hose. Typically, polyester fabric, for the external part, is a decent choice. For the inner part, natural latex is sufficient, and many times better than synthetic latex. There are also metallic garden hoses, with a sturdy exterior protecting it against punctures. However, metallic hoses are not very efficient and may develop leaking problems, in the long run.
- Solid Brass Fittings: the faucet connector and shutoff valve should be solid brass for efficiency, as well as, durability. Brass is ideal, as it resists rusting, and does not release harmful toxins into the water, like aluminum connectors and others.
- Length: the maximum hose length is usually a matter of choice and needs. But unlike other types of hoses, the expandable hoses are flexible, and which is a good thing – don’t you agree? Fifteen feet long expandable can go as far as 50ft.
- Warranty: before you can settle on a particular brand, it is always appropriate to go through the warranty terms. Determine if you can return the product if it malfunctions within a given amount of time. If you cannot replace it, then it may be necessary to look elsewhere – there are many options, on the market, to choose from.
- Reviews: for an extra layer of protection, don’t rely too much on the manufacturers’ claims, they have a way with words and appeal. User reviews reveal a significant amount of information regarding the product, which you would never get anywhere else. You will get all you need to know about the product – its strengths, weaknesses, as well as, the kind of customer service you get.