To hose or not to hose?

I want to replace my normal garden hose, but not sure what to buy.

I want something easier to use around the garden and front.

I have not seen any good reviews about the expandable hose.

Anyone got any good ideas.

 

bought a 30m garden hose from Home bargains...£10. had it 18 mths and its still perfect.

 

I've got a non-kink hose from Costco which is brilliant, but heavy to move about. I've also been looking at expandable hoses but some of the reviews say to steer clear, so I'd be interested to hear opinions from GCers who have used them.

 

We have the hoselock hosepipe on the retractable reel, I like it because it keeps the hosepipe tidy! However I think they are quite pricey & will only buy one if they are on offer!

 

The expanding hoses are brilliant...
Well not quite
The problem with is is where the hoses meet the connections at each end they seem to either come apart or leak.
If they come apart when in use and under pressure the latex hose inside the fabric sleeve disappears up the fabric sleeve.
So I remove these hopeless compression connectors and replace with a simply jubilee clip.
They then not only last and don't leak but are just so easy to use.

 

I'm thinking of getting one of these off Amazon. Most of the reviews are good and Amazon are pretty good at refunding if there are any issues, plus it has a manufacturer's guarantee for a year.

 

I have a Hoselock fast reel which is screwed to the wall but is manually wound in, it is heavy and needs securing well to the wall. No problems but it is not cheap.

 

I have two of the flexible super hoses and I swear by them I have a 100ft and a 50ft. I don't need the 50ft but bought it by accident. But it will come into its own when or if the other one ever wears out. If you get one you'll not be sorry, they never kink up and unroll with ease and what is more they are very light to use.

 

Which ones have you got please @moyra ?

 

It is called the incredible expanding hose and you can buy it on Amazon. Lot cheaper now than I paid too!

 

Obviously there are many brands & types of garden 12.5 mm garden hose around to buy. In the early days I started off with a green colour type and it was kinking all the time, it had no memory.

I then went over to Hozelock Tricoflex and never looked back. They now have several "types" just to confuse us but Tricoflex Performance is the one to go for. Must admit expensive for a hose pipe at around £32 for 25m, I think when I got mine years ago it was just the Tricoflex type which is around £22 for 25m. Next door must have tried about 4 different types of hose over the years and never got one that either does not kink or go into a big knot, I think they have realised now the philosophy of "buy once".

Not to say other brands are no good and a lot cheaper but it all depends on the use. If just a straight run then most hose will do but if dragging around corners and around pots then a kink is on the cards.

I am sure you have all seen these window cleaners using a water pole? I am not talking about the domestic cleaners but the ones that clean shops & offices? Not counting the van to carry stuff around they must spent around £3-5000 on their equipment a lot of money. Have you ever seen one of them with a kinked hose?? It would be a disaster ,they always used Tricoflex hose. lately they tend to use the smaller 8 mm hose as they can get more on a reel but still top quality. No good for us to use as they got a 100 psi pump to knock the water out.

 

Hosepipe fun
I needed a hose, there was an advert in the local paper hozelock 30mtr on retractable roll £10

I phoned and the lady said sorry that one has gone but I have another just the pipe 30mtr £10

I got the address about six miles away, but was unsure how to find the house so I googled it

House for sale offers over £650k

When I got there it was a nice house and I bought the hose, the lady then said, can you use this multi connector Oh and a watering can, Off course I said yes, She said well we will just call it £20 then :-)

Dafty more through embarrassment than wanting it paid up, When I got home the multi connector was broken and the watering can leaked (Lucky white heather)

OH dear, I do hope the person who purchased the house had better luck

Jack McH

 

Os..................