Irrigation hoses: which are better depending on the purpose and operating conditions

The irrigation hose is today a necessary attribute for the modern gardener and gardener. It can be of different configurations, differ in purpose and material of manufacture. Product selection should be guided by certain parameters such as operating pressure, temperature, operating conditions and product function. Irrigation hoses: which is better to choose - the answer to this question can be found in this article.

The irrigation hose is a necessary attribute at every summer cottage.

What is better to buy hoses for irrigation according to the material of manufacture

Depending on the material of manufacture, the following types of hoses are distinguished:

• rubber;
• silicone;
• PVC;
• thermoplastic;
• nylon.

PVC hose is a popular choice when an economical solution is needed

The most popular is the rubber hose. The material is characterized by high strength, elasticity, resistance to ultraviolet radiation, temperature extremes (from -30 to 90ºC), chemical reagents, deformation, and has an affordable cost. The product is designed for a pressure range from 1 to 10 atmospheres. The hose can be stored in unheated rooms.

However, the rubber product is heavy, which makes it difficult to move it from place to place. The material is toxic and should not be used for drinking water. You can buy a rubber hose for watering from 50 rubles / m.

Important! The softer the rubber used to make the hose, the longer its service life.

The nylon hose deserves due attention. Due to the fact that the material is lightweight, the product can be easily moved while watering. Also, the nylon hose has good flexibility and strength, which allows you to twist the product without violating the integrity of its structure. However, the hose is not resistant to temperature changes and sudden changes in pressure, so its service life is no more than 2 years.

Nylon hose is highly flexible, lightweight and durable

The most reliable and durable product is thermoplastic elastomer, which can be used year-round for any horticultural purposes. The material can withstand temperatures from -50 to 90 ° C and a pressure of 8 atmospheres or more.Such a hose is frost-resistant, UV-resistant, chemical resistant and can be stored in an unheated room. It has increased flexibility, strength and light weight, thanks to which it can be easily and quickly twisted, while maintaining the integrity of the material. The service life of the product is at least 15 years. You can buy such a hose for high pressure water from 80 rubles / m.

Which watering hose is better to choose: silicone or PVC material

The most budgetary and affordable option is a PVC hose. When choosing such a product, you should pay close attention to the number of layers of material, since this factor affects its service life. Single layer PVC hoses deform quickly. Their service life is no more than 1 year. High-quality and durable is a reinforced irrigation hose, which is a multi-layer product equipped with a special insert that reinforces the structure of the material. Such hoses are resistant to pressure and temperature changes, which does not affect the structure of the product.

PVC hoses are designed for pressures from 3 atmospheres. The wall thickness of the product is in the range of 1.5-3 mm. The product provides a higher water pressure in comparison with its rubber counterpart. However, at low temperatures, its plasticity decreases, due to which it bends, deforms and twists. This hose must not be stored at temperatures below -5ºC. With proper storage and proper use, the product can serve for at least 3 years. The price of a hose for irrigation starts from 30 rubles / m.

If you choose a PVC hose, then it is better to give preference to a reinforced

Helpful advice! PVC products are best used if there is additional wiring in the garden area made of plastic or metal pipes.

Silicone irrigation hoses are very popular in horticulture, which are characterized by elasticity and affordable cost. The hose can withstand temperatures from -20 to 40ºC. However, due to the fact that the walls of the product expand in the sun, it should not be left under the influence of sunlight, as this can lead to a violation of the integrity of the product.

The hose does not bend, making it easy to twist. However, with a high pressure, it can burst, which is why it should not be connected to system sprinkling or sprinklers. This hose is best used for gravity irrigation. You can buy a product from 30 rubles / m.

Irrigation hoses: which is better to choose according to the type of execution

Depending on the version, the hoses can be:

• single-layer;
• multilayer;
• reinforced;
• stretchable;
• corrugated.

Among the variety of hoses on the market, you should choose based on the purpose and conditions of use

The thinnest products with low strength are single-layer hoses. The material does not have additional internal and external coatings, has low resistance to temperature changes and high pressure, does not show resistance to aggressive environmental factors. It can be used and stored only at a positive temperature not exceeding 35ºC. It is mainly used when pouring water from a large container into a bucket.

Multilayer products are robust, durable, flexible, resistant to ultraviolet radiation, chemicals, high temperatures and high operating pressures. Such a hose is characterized by good flow capacity, without affecting its integrity, as a result of which it can be used around the clock for watering garden crops. Thanks to its flexible and elastic structure, it can be easily rolled into a coil without deformation.

The expandable irrigation hose features a two-layer hose-in-hose design. The inner layer is made of rubber rubber, which has a high tensile capacity.The outer hose is made of nylon threads to limit the stretching of the inner layer. The material is characterized by increased wear resistance and resistance to dirt. The hose is used for irrigation of flower beds and ornamental plants with constant water pressure. Due to the fact that the product has a light weight and unusual design, it is possible to quickly and easily prepare it for work and put it away for storage. You can buy an expandable irrigation hose from 1450 rubles. for 15 m.

The expandable hose is used for irrigation with a constant water pressure

The spiral garden irrigation hose is made of polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate. Designed for a working pressure of no more than 5 atmospheres. It can be used in a temperature range of -5 to 50ºC. When idle, a meter long self-expanding irrigation hose increases to 25-30 m.
The spiral design prevents the appearance of cracks on the product, which, due to its light weight, moves freely along the bed. Serves for spot manual irrigation of crops, as a result of which it is often used in small garden plots where planting needs regular irrigation. You can buy a self-expanding 30 meter irrigation hose for 2200 rubles.

A universal product that is used for all types of soil moistening is a corrugated water hose. The product is characterized by strength, flexibility and lightness. The corrugated top layer gives the hose a stiffness so that it resists frequent bends. You can buy the product for 70 rubles / m.

Reinforced water hose: product features

The most durable and durable of all types is considered to be a reinforced hose. During the manufacturing process, a mesh layer of strong polymer thread or steel is laid inside the material. Reinforcement can be one- and two-layer. The hose is designed for high working pressure and can be used in harsh conditions with high loads, which is determined by the size of the site and the characteristics of the garden. The strongest are multi-layer reinforced hoses that can withstand pressures up to 40 bar.

Important! The smaller the mesh size, the stronger the hose.

Reinforced hoses are considered the strongest and most durable

Based on numerous reviews of experienced gardeners, the most practical and convenient is a reinforced rubber hose for water, which is equipped with a thread braid. Such a product, with proper use, can last for about 20 years. The cost of the hose is 50 rubles / m.

No less durable, but environmentally friendly are products made of PVC or silicone with mesh or cruciform braiding. You can buy a silicone reinforced hose for an average of 60 rubles / m.

Helpful advice! When choosing a reinforced irrigation hose, it is recommended to give preference to products with a mesh weave, which exhibit increased resistance to swelling and collapse under temperature fluctuations and pressure changes.

Varieties of garden irrigation hoses, depending on their purpose

For conventional root watering using a sprayer or pistol, a traditional hose of a familiar design is used. The product does not transform, retaining its original shape both in working and twisted state. This is a versatile, reliable assistant for the gardener at their summer cottage.

For drip irrigation a special type of hose is used, which is a flat tape. There are holes on it with a certain pitch. A drip irrigation hose, the price of which depends on the manufacturer and starts from 70 rubles / m, fits on the site for several seasons.

Structure of multilayer garden hose

An oozing hose is used for economical watering of garden beds and row crops. It is made from polypropylene or rubber. One of the inner layers is equipped with a labyrinth for the passage of water.On the upper layer along the entire length of the product, micro-holes are located tightly to each other.

Helpful advice! The oozing hose is recommended for continuous watering of plants that are sensitive to drought.

The porous rubber irrigation hose has small holes to allow water to flow slowly through. This type of product is used for watering plants on loamy soils and steep slopes, where the soil is prone to erosion due to slow moisture saturation.

For plants with shallow root systems, the hose is the best option.sprinklerwhich will ensure gentle and even watering. Mist is formed around the plant by spraying water several meters through the holes.

Long hose is conveniently placed on a special reel

How to choose a hose for irrigation: helpful tips

The watering hose is selected taking into account the purpose of the product, working pressure, temperature and characteristics of the land. Before you buy a hose for watering your garden, you should decide on its technical characteristics. The length of the product is determined based on the distance of the water source to the watering point. The larger this value, the larger the hose diameter should be. In addition, it is selected taking into account the size of the tap that supplies the water. The most popular size is ½ inch. There are also 1 ”and ¾ irrigation hoses for which adapters are commonly used. The ½ ”product must be no longer than 15 m, or the speed of the water may be reduced.

Helpful advice! Do not purchase a hose larger than required. This will not provide a good head, and in the case of a weak water pressure system, it will weaken water access.

When choosing the material of the product, you should know the working head, which corresponds to the value indicated in the passport. The smaller this value, the smaller the hose diameter should be. It is also important to consider the number of layers of the product, as each additional ball increases the working pressure by 4-5 bar. Layering improves the performance of the hose, but increases its cost.

The ambient temperature at which the product will be used is also an important criterion. The most resistant are rubber water hoses that can withstand temperatures from -30 to 60ºC. without breaking the integrity.

For convenient storage of the hose reel, you can equip a special place

The transparency of the product affects the quality of the irrigation water. Since the water in such hoses is exposed to direct sunlight, this contributes to the formation of plaque and algae inside. As a result, an unpleasant odor is formed and the water performance deteriorates. Therefore, it is better to choose opaque hoses for watering.

Storage conditions and period of operation of irrigation hoses

The longest period of operation is characterized by rubber products. With proper use and storage, the product can last up to 20 years. PVC and plastic hoses are less wear-resistant as they are more prone to deformation.

In the process of watering, the working pressure of the product should not be exceeded, and also sharply changed. Twist the hose after completely draining the water. The product for watering must be laid in a storage room in a rolled form so that rodents do not have access to it. In winter, it is desirable that the indoor temperature be at least 0.

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To increase the service life of the product, for large areas it is better to mount stationary distributions from plastic pipes to which you need to connect short hoses for irrigation.When moving long items frequently, it is recommended to use reels or mobile carts to avoid damage to the hose. To prolong the life of the product, it is necessary to minimize the time it is exposed to the sun. This is especially important for PVC and silicone hose.

Hose holder keeps hose tidy between waterings

Popular manufacturers of garden irrigation hoses

There are many reviews about which hoses are best for irrigation. The price of the product also plays an important role. It depends not only on the type and material of the hose. When choosing a high-quality and durable product, you should pay attention to the manufacturer. Among the best companies that manufacture watering hoses are Karcher, Verdi, Gardena, Xhose. They all offer a high quality certified product.

The leading position in the ranking is occupied by Karcher. In the manufacturer's catalogs you can find products from different materials and different lengths. Products are characterized by strength, flexibility, reliability, durability, resistance to temperature fluctuations and pressure. The company produces not only traditional, but also flat versions of the product. You can buy a garden hose for watering from 1000 rubles. for 20 m.

Gardena offers a wide range of multilayer irrigation hoses. The products have high-quality mesh reinforcement, due to which they withstand high pressure without losing their shape. No heavy metals are used in the manufacture of hoses, which makes the products environmentally friendly. A special place in the range of products is occupied by hoses for drip irrigation, which can be bought from 1100 rubles. for 15 m, depending on the diameter of the product.

Gardena watering hoses are well proven in operation

No less popular manufacturer of irrigation hoses is Verdi, which produces various types of PVC and silicone products. The catalogs contain not only traditional hoses, but also flat and spiral ones. The average cost of the product is 850 rubles. for 15 m.

The Chinese company Xhose specializes in the production of expandable irrigation hoses, reviews of which confirm the high quality and durability of the products. Products can stretch up to 30 m. This miracle hose is made of latex tubing, high quality plastic and woven polyester fabric. The hoses are equipped with a spray gun and connectors, are lightweight and do not twist. Such a product does not dry out from time to time, which allows it to be used for at least 12 years. You can buy a stretchable Xhose irrigation hose from 450 rubles. for 15 m.

When choosing a hose for irrigation, you should take into account the technical characteristics of the product, which must meet the stated requirements: working pressure, temperature, length and diameter. The material of manufacture is selected taking into account the purpose of the product and the conditions for its further operation. A high-quality and durable hose can be purchased exclusively from renowned manufacturers.