Hose Reels 101
Choose a Style to Enhance Your Outdoor Space
The most popular with homeowners, this hose is lighter weight, easy to use, and very versatile.
For best results, use a 5/8" standard vinyl hose.
A heavier-duty and longer-lasting hose often used by contractors.
On average, a hose reel holds 25% less rubber hose than vinyl.
Hose can be purchased in 25-foot increments. Typical gardening needs require 50-100 feet, but longer lengths are available to reach areas further from the spigot.
Standard hose is 5/8" diameter, although contractors often use 3/4" diameter hose because it can deliver more water.
There is a connector at each end of the hose that attaches to the water source, hose accessory, or another hose.
Numerous tiny holes throughout the hose allow water to seep slowly onto the ground.
Multiple perforations on top of the hose deliver a constant mist of water up to 10 feet wide
Designed for high water temperatures, hot water should only be run through this type of hose.
The easiest way to determine how much hose you’ll need is to think about your typical watering jobs then measure from the spigot to those areas. The diagram to the right can help give you an idea for typical hose lengths.
For shrubs and flowers in a bed close to the spigot, you will need about 25-50 feet of hose.
For washing your car in the driveway, you could need up to 50 feet of hose.
For watering areas that are farther away from the spigot, consider around 75-100 feet of hose.
Refer to the chart at the left for estimates based on average home lot sizes in the US. Of course, the amount of hose you’ll need varies based on the size of your yard.
Suncast automatic rewind units use water pressure to automatically rewind your hose for you. During each rewind, the units discharge about 4-6 gallons of water that you can recycle and use throughout your yard.
Some suggestions for reusing discharged water:
- Run the drain hose into landscaping for carefree watering
- Direct the drain hose into a watering can to water flower pots and window boxes
- Capture the water into a pot and use it for outdoor cleaning
Saving 4-6 gallons of water really can make a difference—all of these activities use just as much water:
- Taking a 2-minute shower
- Washing a small load of clothes
- Brushing your teeth and flushing the toilet
- Washing dishes by hand
- Tighten Connection: Connections can loosen over time—simply tightening a leaking connection is often an easy fix.
- Replace O-rings: A rubber o-ring prevents leaking at every connection, but they can dry out and crack over time. You can find replacement o-rings at your local hardware store or call Customer Service for more information (1-800-846-2345).
- Check for cross threading: If the threads on the hose are not aligned with the in-tube or out-tube when screwed together, it can damage the threads and cause leaks. Be careful to align the threads when connecting your hose, and call Customer Service for more information (1-800-846-2345).
- Spigot to Leader Hose: Connects water source to leader
- Leader Hose to In-Hose: Connects leader to hose reel
- In-Tube to Out-Tube: Either of the internal hose reel connections
- Out-Tube to Garden Hose: Connects hose reel to external hose
- Garden Hose to Nozzle: Connects external hose to spray accessories
When temperatures start to drop, it’s just as important to put away your hose reel as your outdoor furniture—especially if you live in a cold weather state.
- Drain the hose reel prior to the onset of freezing temperatures. If any trapped water freezes, it may cause damage to the hose reel, hose, and even your pipes.
- Store the entire unit—including hose reel and hose—inside your garage or storage shed at above-freezing temperatures.
Things to Consider
The easiest way to determine how much hose you’ll need is to think about your typical watering jobs then measure from the spigot to those areas. The diagram to the right can help give you an idea for typical hose lengths.
Some Suggestions:
-
For shrubs and flowers in a bed close to the spigot, you will need about 25-50 feet of hose.
-
For washing your car in the driveway, you could need up to 50 feet of hose.
-
For watering areas that are farther away from the spigot, consider around 75-100 feet of hose.
-
Refer to the chart at the left for estimates based on average home lot sizes in the US. Of course, the amount of hose you’ll need varies based on the size of your yard.
Some Suggestions:
- For shrubs and flowers in a bed close to the spigot, you will need about 25-50 feet of hose.
- For washing your car in the driveway, you could need up to 50 feet of hose.
- For watering areas that are farther away from the spigot, consider around 75-100 feet of hose.
- Refer to the chart at the left for estimates based on average home lot sizes in the US. Of course, the amount of hose you’ll need varies based on the size of your yard.