WATER HOSE • GARDEN HOSE
1/2" through 1-1/2" Rubber Hose
Continental's line of garden and water hose is ideal for general purpose lawn & garden, commercial, and light construction site watering applications.
Contractors water hose made of heavy duty tube with an oil resistant cover. Resists weather abrasion and cracking. Flexible and virtually kink proof. Ideally suited for professional water supply requirements. Includes Machine brass fittings that are steel banded on. Ideal for golf courses, tennis courts, cemeteries and any type of construction where durability is a requirement. 200 psi rubber.
Garden Hose, Water Hose
Our water hoses and garden hoses are efficient, robust and reliable operating materials, ideal for a wide range of applications in industry and business. The hose lining is resistant to pressure, changes in temperatures, hot water and chemicals. The water hose and garden hose cover is resistant to ozone and UV irradiation.
Drinking water is the earth's most precious resource. Wherever it is transported for human use, the transport materials must satisfy with our requirements regarding neutrality of taste and odor as well as undesired microbe growth.
The demands of public agencies and consumers regarding hygiene, cleanliness and taste of our drinking water extends like a thread through nearly all sectors of society. We have just the right water hose and garden hose to meet these requirements.
With so many options to choose from and little visible difference between water hose and garden hose, it's tempting to simply choose the cheapest one. But small differences can have a big impact on how long the hose lasts and how easy it is to use.
A good water hose and garden hose should last 5 to 10 years. But many homeowners who buy lower quality water hose and garden hose end up replacing theirs each year due to leaks, cracks or rot. Although some problems can be repaired, it's generally more cost-effective to buy a good quality water hose and garden hose to begin with.
In this article, we review the features to consider when buying a new water hose and garden hose so that you'll know what to look for in choosing a quality product.
If you're just interested in the different types of water hose and garden hose and our recommendations for the best water hose and garden hose.
How to Choose the Best Garden Hose for You
There isn't just one kind of water hose and garden hose that's perfect for everyone. What works best for you will depend on the size of the area in which you'll be using it, what you'll use the hose for and where you'll store it, as well as your budget. But, in general, there are six things you should consider when choosing a garden hose.
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Important Considerations When Buying a Garden Hose
Water Hose And Garden Hose Length – Longer is Not Better. Only buy the length you need, no longer.
Garden hoses come in 25-, 50-, 75- and 100-foot lengths. It's tempting to buy one longer hose and use it for all of your watering needs around the garden. But don't do it. Not only do longer hoses cost more, but they're heavier to move around, need more storage space, can be difficult to drain before putting them away for the winter, and can result in lower water pressure coming out the end.
Measure the farthest distance from your spigot and buy a hose that goes just beyond that. You don't want to tug on the hose to stretch it out as that's likely to cause snags or leaks.
On a deck or balcony, a 25-foot garden hose is usually fine. Most urban yards need only a 50-foot hose, at most. If you need a longer length of hose than 50 feet, consider buying two hoses and joining them together when you need to go beyond 50 feet. That way you're not lugging around a long, heavy garden hose all the time.
Water Hose and Garden Hose Diameter – Width = Water Flow
The most common garden hose diameters are ¾ inch, five-eighths inch and half inch. These measurements are based on the inside diameter of the hose, not the outside. The bigger the diameter, the more water the hose will carry.
A hose width of five-eighths inch is generally most useful. It's a good combination of water flow and pressure without being too heavy.
If hose weight is an issue for you, a half-inch hose may be best. They tend to be lighter weight but because of the smaller diameter they don't carry as much water. Half-inch water hose and garden hose are best kept to 50 feet or less and used for light-duty gardening tasks, such as watering containers and hanging baskets. These hoses are not appropriate for use with sprinklers or anything that requires higher water pressure (like washing your car).
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Water hose and garden hose Material – Rubber is Best
Garden hoses come in a range of colors and materials.
You'll commonly find water hose and garden hose made of rubber, vinyl, or a combination of the two.
A basic vinyl water hose and garden hose (usually reinforced with a radial cord) is the least expensive and most lightweight option but also the least sturdy. It's more prone to kinking, splitting and cracking than other materials and can degrade quickly if left in the sun or exposed to harsh weather. But if budget is an issue and you'll only be using the hose for light duty gardening tasks, then a vinyl garden hose can be a good option
Rubber water hose and garden hose are generally the strongest and most long-lasting, but also carry the highest price tag and can be heavy to haul around the garden. Rubber has the added benefits of being able to carry hot water, being less likely to kink, and resisting cracking and ozone deterioration (so they don't fall apart if left in the sun). For heavy duty use and a hose that lasts through many seasons, rubber is the best choice.
A middle-of-the-road option is a composite rubber/vinyl water hose and garden hose.
Reinforced water hose and garden hose (usually reinforced with a mesh lining between layers of vinyl and/or rubber) are more resistant to kinking and splitting, and can take higher water pressure levels.
Although additional layers (or "plies”) tend to suggest a stronger water hose and garden hose, don't put too much stock in this figure—the number of layers doesn't matter as much as what those layers are made from. A strengthening "mesh” layer is a good sign, other things being equal.
Be careful with both rubber and vinyl water hose and garden hose as they leach chemicals into the water than make it unsafe to drink. If you or your pets will be drinking from the hose, invest in a "drinking water safe” hose. These are generally made from polyurethane and have been specially built so as not to leach harmful chemicals.
Water Hose And Garden Hose Strength – Look at Burst Pressure.
Some types of water hose and garden hose are more prone to rupture than others. Be sure to buy one with the right burst pressure rating.
water hose and garden hose trength can be measured in terms of "burst pressure” (the water pressure at which it is likely to rupture). If you'll be using a hose nozzle or a sprinkler, look for a hose with a burst pressure above 350 psi. For pressure washer use, check your manual before buying a water hose and garden hose – you may need an even higher psi.
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Water Hose And Garden Hose Flexibility – Try the Kink Test
You want a garden hose that's flexible (for easy storage, going around corners, etc.) but not so flexible that it kinks easily. Kinking leads to splitting and shortens the life of your water hose and garden hose. While all water hose and garden hose will kink if twisted (yes, even the "kink-free” hoses), some are better than others. In general, reinforced and rubber hoses are less likely to kink than other kinds.
When shopping for a water hose and garden hose, bend it into a U. If it kinks, pick another.
Water Hose And Garden Hose Couplings – Look For Cast Brass
Stamped metal (like the coupling shown here) is usually not the best choice.
Water hose and garden hose couplings are the end pieces that attach to spigots, sprinklers and nozzles.
Less expensive water hose and garden hose often have plastic couplings. Avoid these – they're more prone to leaks, cracks and breakage and often can't be tightened properly. Plastic also breaks down quickly, particularly when left in the sun.
Metal couplings (usually brass, although many are chrome plated) are either stamped or cast. You can identify cast brass because it's thicker than sheet metal and usually has an octagonal shape so that the coupling can be turned with a wrench. Couplings made from cast brass are the most durable and leak-resistant. Thin stamped-metal fittings can be difficult to tighten at the spigot, bend easily (so don't step on it or run over it with the lawnmower or car), and break down over time.
All else being equal, a large octagon-shaped coupling is easiest to tighten, particularly for those of us with stiff fingers or lower grip strength.
While many hoses come with a washer inserted into the coupling, these are often thin plastic washers that quickly break down. We always recommend that you use a high quality rubber washer at the connection point between the hose fitting and the spigot or nozzle. This will help prevent leaks.
Look for a water hose and garden hose collar. Quality hoses often have a plastic or rubber "collar” extending perhaps four to six inches up the hose from one coupling. This reduces the odds of a kink or split near the spigot, where they are particularly common.
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Types of Garden Hoses
Below are descriptions of the most common types of water hose and garden hose, along with our recommendations. Hover over each product name or image for pricing details.
Lightweight / Light Duty Water Hose And Garden Hose
These water hose and garden hose are generally made from vinyl (sometimes with a reinforcing mesh or multiple plies (layers)) so can kink more easily, often have plastic fittings, and tend to come in thinner diameters but prices are in the lower range.
If you're gardening on a budget, won't be using it often, don't need a long hose (over 50 feet), and have lower water pressure or don't use a sprinkler or hose nozzle, then a lightweight water hose and garden hose will probably meet your needs.
While you can find light duty hoses online, your best bet is to visit your local home improvement store or garden center. You'll find some of the heavier duty water hose and garden hose there as well, but many of them are perfect for light duty use.