Hose Pipes

Garden hoses are an extremely important tool in domestic gardening and horticulture. Ideal for watering plants and crops, pressure-washing patios and cleaning the car, they're a must-have for any keen gardener. At Cromwell, we stock hose pipes from our own brand, Rutland®.

What is a garden hose pipe?

Typically made from synthetic rubber or soft plastic, hose pipes feature an internal layer of webbing material made of Teflon or viton to maintain their structure. All hose pipes look similar in design, however, innovations in hose pipe technology means that the quality and strength of hose pipes can vary quite a bit.

Why a hose pipe?

Hose pipes make general garden watering tasks as well as jobs like cleaning cars quicker and more efficient. The longer length of the hose allows you to cover your entire garden in a short amount of time, without needing to make trips to the tap to fill up a watering can or bucket.

When to use a hose pipe?

Hose pipes are most often used when watering plants, lawn or shrubbery. In the height of the warmer months, water is crucial for cultivating your garden and keeping lawns and plants healthy. Alternatively, hose pipes are commonly used to wash away debris and suds when cleaning cars or other vehicles.

Garden hose pipe types

The trick to identifying hose pipe quality is to look at the cross-section of the pipe. Basic hose pipes have three layers but can kink and twist when in use which can be frustrating and time-consuming.

A mid-range garden hose will have four layers or extra material added to the tubing for strength. These hoses are stronger and less likely to kink. Premium quality hoses have five to six layers and are extremely strong. This quality of hose is often crush resistant, which is beneficial if it's likely to be driven over by cars or other heavy machinery.

• Standard hose pipe   -   a straight hose pipe available in a range of diameters, materials, and colours.

• Sprinkler hose pipe   -   a sprinkler or soaker hose pipe can be bought alone or as part of a kit. It features tiny holes up and down the shaft of the pipe and is made to be laid out and left in place around planting beds. The tap can be left on for constant drip irrigation or turned on at intervals for heavier watering.

• Expanding hose pipe   -   this type of garden hose pipe expands to full size when filled with water and reduces once emptied for easy storage. This type of hose pipe is not suitable for use in conjunction with a pressure washer.

• Coil hose pipe   -    this is a self-coiling pipe that's crush and kink resistant. Easy to store is can be pulled to the required length and coiled easily for storage.

Considerations when choosing a garden hose pipe

Strength/burst pressure - this will appear on the packaging or technical datasheet and be measured in bar. It's a good idea to check this measurement before purchasing a hose pipe, especially if you intend to use it for pressure washing.

Diameter - hose pipes are available in a range of diameters, with the most common being 13mm for general use. A wider diameter is ideal when you want to move a lot of water quickly.

Length - to decide on the length of hose pipe required, measure the maximum distance you require it to reach from your garden tap, plus a couple of feet to ensure you're not putting too much pressure on the connectors.

Eco-credentials - Most hose pipes are now made with materials that are free of harmful chemicals such as phthalates that can be harmful to aquatic life, but it's still important to check this when making your purchase.

Construction - the differences in hose quality have already been discussed above. While a basic hose pipe may be the cheapest, it's also the most liable to puncture and need replacing, so will cost you more in the long run.

Colour - hose pipes come in all kinds of colours, some act as camouflage when storing on a patio, while brighter colours keep them visible to prevent trips or being run over by cars.

Connectors/fittings - most hoses when bought alone and not in a kit aren't supplied with any connectors or fittings. While an attachment isn't necessarily required for watering, you will need to purchase a connector and adaptor for attachment to your tap.

Texture/pattern - some hoses are smooth, but others feature ribbed or patterned finishes. These are designed to provide and maintain grip to any connectors to help to stop them from bursting off the hose during changes in pressure.

Garden hose pipe jargon buster

We want to make our garden range easy to shop. Often naming and labelling of garden hoses can be confusing, so we've explained a few below to help you make an informed decision when purchasing.

What do the names mean on garden hoses?

• Braided - this refers to the construction of the hose, where fibres or stainless steel have been crisscrossed around the hose to provide strength and prevent warping under pressure.

• Braided plus - this is the same as a braided hose, but where the 'braids' are denser and closer together to provide even more strength.

• Flexible - this often refers to the movement in a standard garden hose pipe, or it refers to a 'flexi' hose, which is a brand of expanding hose pipe.

• Anti-kink/kink-resistant - thin basic hoses can fold in half or kink when in use, blocking or limiting the flow of water. Thicker, stronger hoses won't bend in on themselves this way and are referred to as anti-kink or kink resistant.

• Professional - These hoses are often marketed at builders or professional landscapers and basically means that the hose is of the highest quality.

FAQs

Do expandable garden hoses work?

When bought in the right sizing for your garden or task and used properly, yes expandable hoses can be really useful. Allow the hose to fill before starting to water and expel the pressure fully once the task is done. Store the hose properly to maintain its strength and flexibility, and it'll provide you years of service.

Can you join two garden hoses together?

As long as both hoses are the same diameter then yes, they can be connected. Two-way connectors are available to buy and consist of two male ends that are inserted into the ends of the hoses you want to connect. They're available for standard and expanding hoses and are a really handy accessory.