Just switched to metal garden hoses

[IamRainey]

OMG! They're lightweight and incredibly flexible. I'm so glad I've done it.

So I celebrated by filling all the waterers in the run. The hose is so small in diameter that I almost got it under the door and didn't have to haul heavy, full waterers. And then I switched to the "jet" option and hosed down the structure. About 15 minutes of flat out panic in the run but now I can see the 4-color paint scheme I carefully thought out before I realized how dusty it would get and that I'd never see the colors again.

Happy morning at Imaginary Farms!

 

[aart]

So, do tell more....what brand and model, maybe a link to the product you bought?
Hopefully you update this thread for the long haul review?

 

[IamRainey]

I actually got a couple brands (lengths) from 2 different sites. I did it because I encountered a woman in a local nursery using one to water plants. I asked for her evaluation since their hoses are in constant and critical use. She was effusive so I decided to take a chance on the ones I use most.

I wonder if the difference in brands is more significant than the difference in technology/material. But I will keep (at least) mental notes and update this with my results over time.

Both manufactures included a nozzle with the hoses. I like the ones I've already purchased but, still, it was an unexpected bonus and maybe someday I'll need them.

I'll tell you one thing: the diameter of the actual waterway is surprisingly tiny. The connections on both sides are conventional size and fit standard fittings. The water comes out in a healthy stream that I haven't found lacking in any way but it remains under pressure when the tap and the sprinkler head are switched off. I got a nice effective stream when I was hosing off the dust and cobwebs in my run regardless of the tiny gauge. ...or maybe because of it. I dunno.

So far I can say that coiling, handling and storing it is much simpler. The claims that it won't kink are absolutely accurate and I can't see that it will be stiff and stubborn in cold weather either. We'll see about leaking and blowing out which are my major headaches with conventional hose.

So far, I like it so much I've ordered a fourth one. That will leave 2 others that I don't use as often to eventually replace if these work out. But since I rarely use those hoses, no hurry there.

 

[aart]

Awesome!

I actually got a couple brands (lengths) from 2 different sites.

..and they are?

I can't see that it will be stiff and stubborn in cold weather either.

How cold....like 40°F?

 

[Eggscaping]

I actually got a couple brands (lengths) from 2 different sites. I did it because I encountered a woman in a local nursery using one to water plants. I asked for her evaluation since their hoses are in constant and critical use. She was effusive so I decided to take a chance on the ones I use most.

I wonder if the difference in brands is more significant than the difference in technology/material. But I will keep (at least) mental notes and update this with my results over time.

Both manufactures included a nozzle with the hoses. I like the ones I've already purchased but, still, it was an unexpected bonus and maybe someday I'll need them.

I'll tell you one thing: the diameter of the actual waterway is surprisingly tiny. The connections on both sides are conventional size and fit standard fittings. The water comes out in a healthy stream that I haven't found lacking in any way but it remains under pressure when the tap and the sprinkler head are switched off. I got a nice effective stream when I was hosing off the dust and cobwebs in my run regardless of the tiny gauge. ...or maybe because of it. I dunno.

So far I can say that coiling, handling and storing it is much simpler. The claims that it won't kink are absolutely accurate and I can't see that it will be stiff and stubborn in cold weather either. We'll see about leaking and blowing out which are my major headaches with conventional hose.

So far, I like it so much I've ordered a fourth one. That will leave 2 others that I don't use as often to eventually replace if these work out. But since I rarely use those hoses, no hurry there.

Can you post pictures or say what types or where you got them so the rest of us could have a look, please?

 

[IamRainey]

I've already thrown out the packaging but two (25') came from Bed Bath & Beyond and one (100') came from Amazon.

It will be a long time before we have a 40˚ day in SoCal. Don't know what will happen if it gets down to freezing. The column of water inside the hose is so narrow it could freeze pretty fast. ...but I would imagine about the same would happen with conventional hose. As I said, we don't get a lot of freezing experience in Los Angeles... But at least I wouldn't anticipate that temperature swings would break down the metal casing like conventional hose.

Here is 100' coiled on a stake in the garden:



Here is the 100' it replaced:

Sorry I didn't add something to reference the relative size...

Here is 25' coiled on a fence post in the chicken yard with the compost area behind it: