- Создано: 21-10-21
- Последний вход: 21-10-21
Профиль пользователя
lifw2498
Garden Hoses: What To Know Before You Buy
Hose for
gardening don't last forever. When you're in the market
for a new one, these tips will help you make an informed purchase.
Your garden hose is probably working overtime this summer as you
water plants, irrigate a vegetable garden or wash the car. According to
hose manufacturer Teknor Apex, a good garden hose will last five to 10
years if properly maintained. A bad garden hose, as most of us have
already found out, will waste water, function poorly and cause bouts of
frustration.
So to keep the kinks out of your relationship with your
PVC
garden hose, let’s take a look at what to consider before you
buy a new one.
Garden hoses are used for transporting water over short or long
distances. They can be used for watering a plant, washing a car or
every other activity where water is needed. Because garden hoses are
very widely used, they need to be able to do many different things.
Firstly, they of course have to deliver water at your chosen location.
But that’s where the simplicity stops, while not all water or
application is the same. Are you working with super clean water and
want to be 100% sure there is no contamination with the materials of
the hose? Then a garden hose with a pvc-free inner layer specially made
for this situation will fit your needs. Is storage space limited? Then
a spiral hose, reel garden hose or expandable garden hose will come in
handy. Are you looking for a drip irrigation system? Then soaker hoses
might be the solution. For every application there are different
products available specialized for that situation. Read this article to
make a jump start into the world of garden hoses.
Diameters and lengths
When selecting a garden hose there are multiple parameters that
will guide you in the right direction. The diameter of the hose is a
good starting point. Typical internal sizes are 13mm (1/2"), 19mm
(3/4") and 25mm (1"). It’s important to know that a garden
hose has an internal and external diameter. If you want to connect the
hose to male coupling, the internal diameter is most relevant to you.
Also important is the total length of the garden hose, because a too
short hose won’t reach to your destination and a too large hose will
take up unnecessary space and cause extra pressure drop, which is often
not desirable.
Materials
Mostly, garden hoses are made from multiple materials. Some garden
hoses are even made from up to 8 different layers. All these layers are
made from a different material. The outer layer has to be strong
because it’ll be dragged along concrete and stones. Often PVC is used
for this outer layer. The inner layer can be made from many different
materials. If the expandable garden hose is
suitable for drinking water purposes, often PU food-safe materials are
used for the inner layer. All materials used together determine the
temperature range, which is often between -20°C and +60°C. Garden
hoses can often withstand pressures up to 30/50 bars (435/725 psi). A
pressure gauge is placed to monitor the pressure in the system, to
learn more about this read our article on pressure gauges for water
applications.
Reinforcement
A garden hose with only an outer layer would twist and distort very
easily. With some exceptions, garden hoses have been strengthened.
Between the inner and outer layer, a reinforcement is added made of
metal, plastic or another type of strong material. This reinforcement
ensures the hose is pressure-resistant, well protected against damage,
wears less quickly and it will buckle less quickly. Especially for
garden hoses, that are used in harsh situations, this is a very
important feature.
Couplings
To connect a garden hose to a spigot, sprinkler or valve you will
need couplings. In most cases a garden hose is connected via Gardena-
like couplings. These snap-fit couplings exist of two parts. The first
part is a threaded fitting (with 3/4" and 1/2" being the
standard) and is mounted on the part that you want to connect to the
garden hose. The second part is a quick connector, which is mounted to
the garden hose. With this snap-fit coupling it is now possible to
easily connect the hose to all the parts that are fitted with the hose
fitting like spigots, valves, spray nozzles and sprinklers.
We’re all working hard to be conscious consumers. At the grocery
store, we read labels and say “no” to plastic packaging whenever we
can. We choose safe wooden toys for our kids, avoid poisonous cleaning
products, and even grow our own organic vegetables. But wait! After all
that effort, are we unknowingly spraying that lovely healthful produce
with phthalates, BPA, lead and more?
A garden products study completed by The Ecology Center looked at
90 different PVC garden water hose and
discovered disturbing levels of each of those chemicals. Some of the
toxin levels exceeded safe drinking water standards by 20 times or
more.
We’ve all had to face some hard facts in recent years: it turns
out there is no pristine environment anymore, and even those living in
isolated wild places face contamination of the air, soil, and
groundwater. But we can take steps to stop contributing to the problem
in our own backyards with unsafe hoses. Rather than throw up our hands
in despair, we can spread awareness about this lesser-known home health
hazard. Not all hoses are created equal, and you can change your
watering practices to help your hose do its job without spraying
neurotoxins and endocrine disruptors. Because let’s face it: our
bodies have enough to deal with in our modern environment without
adding to their burden.
Choose your hose with care
If your hose was purchased before 2007, it’s likely to contain
lead.
The brass fittings can contain up to 8% lead, and lead may be used
in pigments and stabilizers. Green and yellow hoses are particularly
likely culprits. Hoses bought after 2007 are governed by a labeling law
resulting from a California lawsuit, though product testing still found
lead in newer hoses. Choose a new hose labeled as “lead-free”. Tip:
check marine or RV stores for lead-free hoses marketed for use in boats
or motor homes. These hoses, often white or beige with a thin blue
stripe, work well as safe garden hoses. Look for the claim: “drinking
water safe”.
Most vinyl hoses are made from PVC ominously nicknamed “poison
plastic”.
PVC relies on phthalates to provide flexibility and elasticity, but
these chemicals have received lots of bad press. They are endocrine
disruptors, causing problems to human reproductive development, and
have been linked to liver cancer. Choose natural rubber hoses instead.
Food-grade polyurethane is another good option.
Choose non-brass fittings, made of stainless steel, nickel, or
aluminum.
These metals are more likely to be lead-free, and meet drinking
water standards. These soaker hoses made from old rubber tires have
nickel plating over the brass fittings to reduce the possibility of
leaching lead.
Read labels carefully, even the small print.
Watch out for hoses containing a warning citing California Prop 65,
stating “this product contains a chemical known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive
harm.” It’s worth a few extra dollars to invest in a hose that will
help you enjoy years of watering with your mind at ease.
Ask the FDA to regulate hose safety.
The Safe Chemicals Act and Safe Drinking Water Act