Hoses for irrigation: which ones are better for their intended purpose and operation
Hoses for irrigation: which ones are better depending on the purpose and operating conditions
A hose for watering today is a necessary attribute for a modern gardener and gardener. It can be of different configurations, differ in purpose and material of manufacture. When choosing a product, you should be guided by certain parameters, such as operating pressure, temperature, operating conditions and product function. Hoses for irrigation: which ones are better to choose – the answer to this question can be found in this article.
A hose for irrigation is a necessary attribute in every suburban area
What are the best hoses to buy 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 option when you need an economical solution
The most popular is the rubber hose. The material is characterized by high strength, elasticity, resistance to ultraviolet radiation, temperature changes (from -30 to 90 ° C), chemical reagents, deformations, 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 has a significant weight, which makes it difficult to move it from place to place. The material is toxic, so it should not be used for drinking water. You can buy a rubber hose for irrigation from 50 rubles/ m.
Important! The softer the rubber that is used to make the hose, the longer its service life.
The nylon hose deserves due attention. Due to the fact that the material has a small weight, the product can be easily moved during 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 unstable to temperature changes and sudden pressure changes, so its service life is no more than 2 years.
Nylon hose has increased flexibility, lightness and durability
The most reliable and durable is a thermoplastics product that 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 characterized by frost resistance, resistance to UV rays, chemicals and can be stored in an unheated room. It has increased flexibility, strength and light weight, which makes it easy and fast to twist, 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 irrigation hose is better to choose: silicone or PVC material
The most budget–friendly and affordable option is a PVC hose. 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 hose for irrigation, which is a multi-layered product equipped with a special insert that strengthens 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 a pressure of 3 atmospheres. The wall thickness of the product is in the range of 1.5-3 mm. The product provides a greater water pressure in comparison with its rubber counterpart. However, at low temperatures, its plasticity decreases, which is why it bends, deforms and twists. Such a hose cannot be stored at temperatures below – 5ºC. With proper storage and proper operation, the product can last 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 reinforced
Useful advice! PVC products are best used in the presence of additional wiring on a garden plot made of plastic or metal pipes.
Silicone hoses for irrigation, which are characterized by elasticity and affordable cost, are very popular in gardening. 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 exposed to sunlight, as this may lead to a violation of the integrity of the product.
The hose does not bend, which makes it easy to twist. However, at high pressure, it may burst, which is why it should not be connected to the sprinkler system or sprinklers. Such a hose is better used for gravity irrigation. You can buy the product from 30 rubles / m.
Hoses for irrigation: which ones are better to choose by type of execution
Depending on the version, the hoses can be:
- single – layer;
- multi – layered;
- 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 has no additional internal and external coatings, has low resistance to temperature changes and increased pressure, does not show resistance to aggressive environmental factors. It can be used and stored exclusively at a positive temperature of no more than 35ºC. It is used mainly when pouring water from a large container into a bucket.
Multilayer products have strength, wear resistance, flexibility, resistance to ultraviolet radiation, chemical reagents, elevated temperatures and high operating pressure. Such a hose is characterized by good throughput, which does not affect its integrity, as a result of which it can be used around the clock for watering garden crops. Thanks to the flexible and elastic structure, it is easily twisted into a coil without deformation.
The stretchable irrigation hose has a two-layer “hose in a hose” design. The inner layer is made of rubber rubber, which has a high tensile strength. The outer hose is made of nylon threads that limit the stretching of the inner layer. The material is characterized by increased wear resistance and resistance to contamination. The hose is used for watering flower beds and ornamental plants with constant water pressure. Due to the fact that the product has a light weight and an unusual design, it is possible to easily and quickly prepare it for work and put it away for storage. You can buy a stretchable hose for watering from 1450 rubles. for 15 m.
A stretchable hose is used for irrigation with constant water pressure
Spiral garden hose for irrigation is made of polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate. Designed for a working pressure of no more than 5 atmospheres. It can be used in the temperature range from -5 to 50ºC. In non-working condition, the meter-long self-stretching hose for irrigation increases to 25-30 m.
The spiral design prevents the appearance of cracks on the product, which, thanks to its light weight, moves freely along the bed. It is used for spot manual watering 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-stretching irrigation hose of 30 meters 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 upper corrugated layer gives the hose rigidity, so that it shows stability with frequent bends. You can buy the product for 70 rubles/m.
Reinforced water hose: product features
The reinforced hose is considered the most durable and durable among all types. During the manufacturing process, a mesh layer of durable polymer thread or steel is laid inside the material. Reinforcement can be one- and two-layer. The hose is designed for high operating pressure and can be operated in harsh conditions with a heavy load, which is determined by the size of the plot and the characteristics of the garden. The most durable are multilayer reinforced hoses that can withstand pressure up to 40 bar.
Important! The smaller the size of the reinforced cells, the stronger the hose.
Reinforced hoses are considered the most durable and durable
Based on numerous reviews of experienced gardeners, the most practical and convenient is a reinforced rubber water hose, which is equipped with a thread braid. Such a product, with proper operation, can last about 20 years. The cost of the hose is 50 rubles/m.
PVC or silicone products with mesh or cross-shaped braid are no less durable, but environmentally friendly. You can buy a silicone reinforced hose for an average of 60 rubles/ m.
Useful advice! When choosing a reinforced hose for irrigation, it is recommended to give preference to products with mesh weaving, which exhibit increased resistance to swelling and destruction with temperature fluctuations and pressure changes.
Varieties of garden watering hoses depending on their purpose
For conventional watering under the root using a sprayer or a gun, a traditional hose of the usual design is used. The product does not transform, preserving its original shape both in working and twisted condition. This is a versatile, reliable gardener’s assistant at the dacha.
For drip irrigation, a special type of hose is used, which is a flat ribbon. There are holes with a certain pitch on it. The hose for drip irrigation, the price of which depends on the manufacturer and starts from 70 rubles / m, is laid on the site for several seasons.
Structure of multi-layer irrigation hose
An oozing hose is used to carry out economical watering of beds and ordinary plantings. It is made of polypropylene or rubber. One of the inner layers is equipped with a labyrinth for the passage of water. Micro-holes are located on the upper layer along the entire length of the product tightly to each other.
Useful advice! The oozing hose is recommended for continuous watering of plants that are sensitive to drought.
The porous rubber hose for irrigation is equipped with small holes that ensure slow passage of water. 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 a superficial root system, the best option is a sprinkler hose, which will provide gentle and uniform watering. Around the plant, due to the spraying of water for several meters through the holes, fog is formed.
It is convenient to place a large length hose on a special coil
How to choose a hose for irrigation: useful recommendations
The irrigation hose is selected taking into account the purpose of the product, working pressure, temperature and the characteristics of the land plot. Before you buy a hose for watering the garden, you should determine its technical characteristics. The length of the product is determined based on the distance of the water source to the watering place. The larger this value, the larger the diameter of the hose should be. In addition, it is selected taking into account the size of the tap that supplies water. The most popular size is considered to be a diameter of ½ inch. There are also hoses for watering 1 inch and ¾, for which adapters are usually used. The product with a diameter of ½ inch should not be longer than 15 m, otherwise the speed of water movement may decrease.
Useful advice! Do not purchase a hose with a larger diameter than required. This will not provide a good pressure, and in the case of a weak water pressure system, it will weaken the access of water.
When selecting the material of the product, you should know the working pressure, which corresponds to the value specified in the passport. The smaller this value, the smaller the diameter of the hose should be. It is also important to take into account the number of layers of the product, since each additional ball increases the working pressure by 4-5 bar. Layering improves the performance of the hose, but increases its price.
The ambient temperature at which the product will be operated is also an important criterion. The most stable are rubber hoses for water, which can withstand temperatures from -30 to 60ºC. without breaking the integrity.
For the convenience of storing a coil with a hose, you can equip a special place
The transparency of the product affects the quality of the irrigation water. Since water in such hoses is directly exposed to sunlight, this contributes to the formation of plaque and algae inside. As a result, an unpleasant smell is formed and water indicators deteriorate. Therefore, it is better to choose opaque hoses for irrigation.
Storage conditions and period of operation of irrigation hoses
Rubber products are characterized by the longest period of operation. With proper use and proper storage, the product can serve up to 20 years. PVC and plastic hoses are less wear-resistant because they are most prone to deformation.
In the process of watering, the working pressure of the product should not be exceeded, and it should also be changed dramatically. You need to twist the hose after completely draining the water. The irrigation product must be placed in the utility room in a rolled-up form so that rodents do not have access to it. In winter, it is desirable that the indoor temperature is not lower than 0.
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To increase the service life of the product, for large areas it is better to mount stationary wiring from plastic pipes, to which short hoses for irrigation should be attached. With frequent movement of long products, it is recommended to use coils or mobile trolleys, which will eliminate damage to the hose. To extend the service life of the product, it is necessary to minimize the time it stays in the sun. This is especially important for PVC and silicone hose.
The hose holder allows you to leave the hose in order in the interval between watering
Popular manufacturers of garden hoses for irrigation
There are many reviews of which hoses are better for watering. The price of the product also plays an important role. It depends not only on the type and material of the hose. Choosing a high-quality and durable product, you should pay attention to the manufacturer. Among the best companies that are engaged in the manufacture of irrigation hoses, we can single out Karcher, Verdi, Gardena, Xhose. All of them offer a high-quality certified product.
The leading position in the rating is occupied by the company Karcher. In the catalogues of the manufacturer, you can find products made of different materials and different lengths. The 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 multi-layer hoses for irrigation. The products have high-quality mesh reinforcement, thanks to which they withstand high pressure without loss of shape. Heavy metals are not used in the manufacture of hoses, which makes the products environmentally friendly. A special place in the product range is occupied by hoses for drip irrigation, which you can buy from 1100 rubles. for 15 m, depending on the diameter of the product.
Irrigation hoses manufactured by Gardena have proven themselves well in operation
No less popular manufacturer of irrigation hoses is Verdi, which produces various types of PVC and silicone products. The catalogues present not only traditional hoses, but also flat and spiral. The average cost of the product is 850 rubles. for 15 m.
The Chinese company Xhose specializes in the production of stretchable hoses for irrigation, reviews of which confirm the high quality and durability of products. The products can stretch up to 30 m. Such a miracle hose is made of latex pipe, high-quality plastic and woven polyester fabric. The hoses are equipped with a sprayer and connectors, have a light weight and do not twist. Such a product does not shrink from time, which allows it to be operated for at least 12 years. You can buy a stretchable hose for watering Xhose from 450 rubles. for 15 m.
When choosing a hose for irrigation, it is necessary to take into account the technical characteristics of the product, which must meet the stated requirements: operating pressure, temperature, length and diameter. The material of manufacture is selected taking into account the purpose of the product and the conditions of its further operation. A high-quality and durable hose can be purchased exclusively from well-known manufacturers.
