If you need a right hose for your gardening and industrial process, you should see water hoses. They are suitable to transfer fluid at your desired place. In this topic, we will tell you about water hoses and their different types in detail.
Further, you will also learn its size and uses. After this, you can choose a suitable water hose for your specific application.
What is a Water Hose?
A water hose is a flexible hollow tube that is used to carry water from one point to another. Mostly, it is attached to a water source such as pump, tap or storage tank to transfer pressurized fluid to the required place.
It can withstand water pressure, movement, bending, vibration and temperature changes easily. Due to these features, water hoses perform work efficiently and last for a long time.
Parts of a Water Hose
Basically, a standard water hose consists of the following main parts. But some hoses have additional things such as clamps, fittings, nozzle and end coupling.
Inner Tube: It is the main part of the water hoses. It remains in direct contact with liquid. This tube can be made of vinyl, polyurethane or rubber. Its construction depends on the hose’s application, temperature, pressure and fluid compatibility.
Reinforcement Layer: Some water hoses contain a reinforcement layer between inner and outer walls. It helps the hose withstand internal pressure and mechanical stress. This layer may be formed by textile, polyester and wire.
Outer Cover: It is a protective layer on the hoses which shield it from external conditions. These can be UV rays, moisture, chemicals, abrasions and weather damage.
Water Hose Types Based on Material
These are common types of water hose material and their features.
| Material | Temperature | Pressure | Use |
| PVC | Low to medium | Low to medium | Gardening, irrigation |
| Rubber | Low – high | Moderate to high | Industrial & agricultural |
| Silicone | Moderate to high | Low to medium | Hot water and temperature-sensitive applications |
| Reinforced | Medium | Moderate | Pumping and water suction |
| Polyurethane | Low to medium | Low to moderate | Water transfer, lightweight uses |
PVC Water Hose
PVC hose is a lightweight tube that is made from polyvinyl chloride plastic. It is mainly used for gardening, water transfer and light irrigation. You can install them at your house and farms. These hoses have smooth inner walls, which reduce friction and helps to smooth flow of water.
Due to their clear or semi-clear surface, you can watch the fluid flow inside it easily. They are also much cheaper than rubber hoses. But they have some drawbacks that PVC hoses degrade under continued stress. They become soft at high temperatures and start to crack in freezing conditions.
Rubber Water Hose
If you want to install a hose for your heavy duty outdoor watering, you can choose rubber hoses. They can handle high pressure as compared to other hoses such as silicone. Depending on their specific compound, they can operate easily within a temperature range of -40°C to 120°C.
Rubber hoses are flexible that help you to bend and fit them in a tight space. They can withstand hot and cold weather without losing their shape and flexibility. Plus, they can last for a long time so you do not need to replace them frequently.
Silicone Water Hoses
These hoses are flexible and durable which can handle extreme temperatures and high fluid pressure. You can use silicone water hoses for industrial water lines and specialized water transfer. They have resistance against UV rays, ozone and aging.
If you want to get work from them efficiently, you should use proper clamps. Because poorly matched or cheap clamps can slip and cause leak under high pressure. They are also much more expensive than standard EPDM rubber hoses.
Reinforced Water Hose
Reinforced water hoses have multi-layered structures which help them to perform under high pressure. You can use these hoses in concrete pumping and high flow irrigation. They can handle about 100 to 220+ psi pressure easily. Following are the major types of reinforced water hoses.
Fiber Reinforced: These water hoses have a layer of strong fiber between inner and outer wall. It keeps the hose flexible and protects from sharp bends.
Steel Wire Reinforced: In this type, a spiral steel wire is present inside the wall that gives extra strength to water hoses.
Polyurethane Water Hoses
Polyurethane hoses are lightweight and have half the weight than traditional rubber hoses. So, you can carry them at any place. Additionally, they are free from toxic chemicals such as lead, BPA and phthalates because they are made with NSF-grade materials.
That is why you can use these hoses for drinking water. However, they have a small outer diameter, which helps you to fit more length onto a hose reel.
Types of Water Hose By Application & Design
Garden Hose
It is the most common type of water hose which is used for watering plants and lawns. It is made of flexible vinyl and durable rubber. These materials make it light weighted so that you can carry it at any place easily. Garden hoses are found in 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch and 3/4 inch. You can select one of them according to your needs.
Further, you can attach spray nozzles, connectors and storage reels with them. They make the hose more easier to use and store. If you want to wash your car or outdoor spaces, you can also use garden hoses.
Industrial Water Hose
Industrial water hoses are heavy-duty pipes that are used to transport water, wastewater and cooling fluids under demanding conditions. You can install them in factories, construction sites and agricultural applications.
You can get these hoses in 1/2-inch for restricted spaces. If you want to carry a high volume of fluid, you can use 3/4-inch and 1-inch. These options do not reduce pressure for heavy washdown.
Expandable Hoses
They are lightweight hoses which stretch up to three times from its original length when filled with water. But when water flow is stopped, these hoses return to their normal state. Basically, their outer layer is tough and protects the inner tube from bursting.
While the inner layer is made from elastic material which causes them to expand.This thing helps you to store them in small spaces. Plus, their flexibility prevents twisting and knotting that is common in hoses. But these hoses have a short lifespan and are prone to leak with the passage of time.
Soaker Hose
What is a soaker hose used for? It is used to water plant roots slowly. For this process, it has tiny pores along its entire length. It helps to deliver water directly to the soil at low pressure without spraying it on the whole plant. So, you can use it in your vegetable garden, flower beds and foundation watering.
Soaker hoses save more than 70% water to reduce evaporation and runoff. However, they keep the leaves and stem of your plants dry. As a result, they do not catch any fungi and mildew. You can use these hoses under 100 to 150 feet because long distance can decrease the output.
Potable Water Hose
Potable water hoses are specialized non-toxic tubes that are used to transfer drinking water. They do not leach harmful chemicals, tastes and odors. They fulfill all safety standards such as NSF/ANSI 61 and FDA.
These certifications make sure that the potable water hoses are safe to use. That’s why you can use these water hoses for food content confidently.
Suction and Discharge Hoses
These hoses are used to transfer fluids from one place to another, especially in pumping and drainage systems. They perform different tasks which depend on whether they are used on the inlet or outlet side of the pump. Actually, suction hose used to draw water from a source such as tank, pool and well into the pump.
But you can use a discharge hose to carry water away from the pressurized source to desired location. Both of them are designed according to their work that they can withstand in every demanding conditions.
Lay-Flat Water Hose
A lay-flat water hose is a flexible and collapsible tube that is used for high-volume water transfer. It becomes circular when you pass fluid through it. In case of stop flow, it lay flat. They can be found from 3/4 inch to 16 inches in diameter. These hoses can handle up to 35 to 100 psi working pressure, which depends on their grade and wall thickness.
How to use a lay-flat hose? First of all, you need to roll it out completely. Make sure there is no twist that can block the water flow. Then you have to check for any leaks in the hose. After this, you can attach your fittings with hose clamps. Now, you should turn on the water supply slowly so that they do not burst from high pressure.
Fire Water Hoses
They are heavy-duty and high-pressure tubes used to carry water from a hydrant or pump directly to the fire. They have an outer jacket of tough synthetic fibers for abrasion resistance. Plus, the inner lining is waterproof. These hoses range from 1.5 inches for attack lines up to 5 inches for main supply.
How far can a fire hose shoot water? A standard handheld fire hose can shoot water up to 100 to 200 feet. But it is not a fixed value. Various factors such as water pressure, nozzle type, hose size and environment can affect it.
Uses of Water Hose
Home and Gardening
You can use water hoses to wash your cars, bikes, sidewalks and driveways. To water your plants, flowers, shrubs and lawns, you can use spray nozzles or water weeper hoses.
Construction Uses
At workplaces, these hoses help you to mix materials easily by providing water. You can also install water hoses to clean your job sites. As a result, you remain clean and free from dust.
Agriculture & Irrigation
Water hoses help you to supply fresh water to the animal. Plus, you can clean out your farm with the help of them. If you want to give water directly to the roots of plants, you can also install them.
Industrial Water Transfer
These hoses are used to cool large machinery and engines. Water hoses provide you with high-pressure fluid which you can use to clean your factory floor, equipment and heavy vehicles.
Firefighting and Emergency Applications
In worse conditions such as fire, water hoses play an important role. They deliver high-volume water which controls flame and cool burning materials immediately. As a result, you remain safe.
Water Hose Size and Dimensions
If you want to buy a water hose for your household use, you should check its internal diameter (ID). It helps you to choose the right one. But for your agricultural and industrial systems, you have to look for flow rate and pump specifications. To determine flow rate, you can use GPM (gallons per minute) or LPM (liters per minute).
| Dash Size | Nominal Size | Inner Diameter | Applications |
| -8 | Small | 1/2″ (12-13 mm) | Gardening |
| -10 | Standard | 5/8″ (15-16 mm) | Household gardening |
| -12 | Large | 3/4″ (19 mm) | Irrigation and landscaping |
| -16 | Industrial | 1″ (25 mm) | Water transfer systems |
| -24 to -96 | Heavy Duty | 1.5″ – 6″ (38 to 150 mm) | Agricultural and construction work |
Water Hose Thread Size
The standard thread size for your garden hoses is 3/4-inch GHT (Garden Hose Thread). You can also call it the NH (National Hose) thread. This size is North American connection size which is suitable for almost all residential hoses. They have a straight thread design with a rubber gasket. It helps you to create a leak free seal.
How To Maintain a Water Hose?
To extend the lifespan of your water hose, you can follow these steps.
- You should drain water completely after use. Then, coil it and store on the wall mounted rack or reel.
- You have to keep it out of direct sunlight. Always avoid sharp bends, twists and excessive pulls.
- To keep your hose new, you can check for cracks, leaks, stiffness and damage regularly.
- If it has repeated repair or significant pressure loss, you should replace it. Do not wait until the hose entirely fails.
How You Can Select Right Water Hose For Your Application?
If you are a wholesaler, distributor, contractor or industrial buyer looking for water hoses, you should consider the following factors before purchasing them. With the help of these considerations, you can choose the right hoses for your specific application.
- Intended Use: First of all, you have to know for which purpose you are buying the hose. These applications may be home gardening, crop irrigation, commercial water supply, high pressure cleaning and construction use.
- Hose Diameter: Then, you need to look for its inner diameter that selects hose according to your water flow rate. Plus, you have to determine its length. Because longer hoses can reduce fluid pressure.
- Water Pressure & temperature: You must check the hose’s working pressure and temperature range. Always choose those water hoses that have more working pressure rate than your system maximum pressure. Plus, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Hose Material: For high durability and heavy duty tasks, you can buy rubber hoses. While PVC is suitable for your yard work. So, you can select the right material for the water hoses according to your needs.
- Fittings and Connections: At the end, you should pick the correct coupling or thread types. Make sure the hose fittings match the equipment, pipes, pumps and other connections in your system.
To Summarize
There is no doubt that water hoses play an important role in our several areas of life. With the help of them, you can carry water at any location easily. You can use them in your industrial and agricultural projects.
But to benefit from this unique product, you have to select correct one according to your needs. We also suggest you maintain these water hoses after use properly. Do not throw them roughly.
People Also Ask
Is water hose recyclable?
No, water hoses are not recyclable. They are also not accepted in curbside and single stream recycling programs. So, you should avoid placing them in your recycle bins.
How much is a water hose?
You can get a water hose generally from $15 to $60. But its prices can vary on the basis of length, material, diameter and durability.
Is water hose water safe to drink?
No, it is not safe for you to drink water from a water hose. Although the water may come from the same treated supply as your kitchen tap. But the hose can affect its quality.
Can you connect to water hoses together?
Definitely yes. If you want to make a longer hose, you can join two water hoses together. For this process, you can use a suitable hose connector or coupling.
