How To Help Your Irrigation Hoses Last as Long as Possible
Like all irrigation supplies, garden hoses are an investment, and whether you do a bit of gardening or run a whole farm, you want your hoses to last as long as possible. To make that happen, take a look at these tips.
1. Start With Quality
A quality hose will always last longer than a poorly made one. When shopping, don't buy the cheapest hose. Read a few reviews, and consider buying a highly rated hose with a warranty.
2. Keep Out of Direct Sunlight
If possible, keep your hose out of direct sunlight. If you hook it up to a sprinkler, roll it up and put it away at the end of the day. If you are connecting hoses to pumps for a more permanent irrigation solution, you may want to put a tiny bit of soil or a thin strip of tarp over the hoses until your plants grow tall enough to provide shade.
3. Don't Keep Under Constant Pressure
Many spray guns, sprinklers and other hose attachments allow you to turn on and off the water on the attachment. That can work perfectly while you are actively using the hose. For example, you may turn the water on at the tap but keep it off on your sprinkler until you have positioned the sprinkler. Then, you can conveniently turn on the water.
However, at the end of the day, you should turn off the water at the tap, and make sure that the hose is empty. Leaving on the tap constantly keeps the hose under pressure, and that can wear down the hose.
4. Store Indoors
During the offseason when you aren't using your hoses, put them in a storage shed. Don't let them sit outside where they will get affected by the elements.
5. Repair Small Issues
Finally, if leaks or damage occur, you don't necessarily need to replace your hose. Instead, try to repair it. To patch small holes, rub them with the glue you use to patch bicycle tyres, and then, you apply a layer of silicone rubber tape over that.
For larger leaks, there are splice repair kits. Basically, you cut the hose on either side of the leak. Then, you throw out the broken part of the hose, and you use the repair kit to join the remaining two sides together.
To learn more about hoses and pumps, how to choose the right ones, and how to help them last, contact a irrigation supplies shop.
