Outdoor Plumbing: Why Coiling Your Garden Hose is Important
The world is made up of two types of people: those who wrap their garden hose and those who don’t! If you’ve been tangling up your garden hose and tossing it into the garage, it’s time to break the habit.
Not only are you possibly damaging your hose, but also you’re putting the plumbing system in your home at risk. A quality outdoor plumbing system not only gives you easy access to water but also it helps your yard and garden look its best.
If you’re not sure the type of impact this practice can have on your home, this article will cover what will happen to your hose if you decide to leave it out in the sun or keep it tangled up after use.
Your Garden Plumbing Is Key
Outside of your hose, which you use for a variety of outdoor uses like washing your car or watering your favorite plants, plumbing systems can be considerably more complex.
Whether you have a full sprinkler system with underground plumbing and a well or just a standard hose, the setup is key.
For homeowners looking to keep their system running in top shape, it all starts with your garden hose. Always remember to roll it up properly to avoid damage and kinking, and keep it stored in a safe area. This will ensure that when you need access to water, you always have it.
The Sun Can Do Some Serious Damage
Remember that one time you left your hose out in the sun on a hot summer day? You had to replace it a few weeks later, right? The sun can do some serious your water hose, even if you only leave it outside for a few hours after filling up the kiddy pool.
If you leave your water hose out in the sun, the water inside of your garden hose will heat up, causing the hose to expand and crack. The UV rays from the sun will also weaken the material. Over time, you may find yourself replacing your hose more frequently, especially during the summer months when you need it the most.
Your Hose Could Spring a Leak – Costing Water & Money
Has your hose sprung a leak? Depending on the size and the location of the leak, the repair can be really easy or extremely tough. If your hose is leaking at the spigot or the nozzle, you can probably replace the fittings/washers or tighten the hose to stop the leak.
However, if the leak is coming from the hose itself, you have a bigger problem on your hands. A leak of that nature mean that you haven’t taken good care of your water hose.
Coiling your garden hose is the best way to prevent kinks, the cause of most hose leaks. Follow these steps to keep your garden hose free of kinks:
- Drain all the water from your hose after use.
- Coil your hose after you’ve finished using it.
- If the hose starts to kink, don’t ignore it. Restart the process until the kinks are gone.
- Detach the nozzle from your hose. Drain it, then store it in a dry location.
Make Hose Maintenance a Part of Your Garden Plumbing Routine
When it comes to taking care of your home, outdoor maintenance is just as important as indoor maintenance. So something as small as wrapping up your garden hose is just as important as checking your faucet or cleaning your bathtub. The better you take care of your garden tools, the better you can take care of your garden.
You shouldn’t have to replace your garden hose every summer. With proper maintenance and storage, your garden hose can last for several years – and it only takes a couple of minutes to wrap and store a garden hose the right way.
So this year (or next year if it’s too late), remember to wrap your garden hose, and you’ll save yourself time and money in the long run. And if you need more helpful tips, be sure to reach out to Reeves Family Plumbing, your Dallas, TX plumbing pros.
If you’re noticing one of these signs above or more, then chances are that you’ll want to get a new sprinkler. Go to the beginning of our blog to see signs that you have a leak.
