The Big Storage Mistake Is Making Your Hose's Lifespan Shorter

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Having a garden hose can make a variety of outdoor tasks so much easier, whether you want to quickly provide water to your plants and lawn, wash a vehicle, or clean your patio like a pro. Investing in a quality hose is certainly important, and you'll also need to determine whether you want a vinyl or rubber hose. A rubber hose is typically more durable, with a longer lifespan of between 5 and 10 years. However, this is only if you take good care of it, storing it away properly without knots and kinks that can make the material wear out, and keeping your garden house out of direct sunlight, to get the most out of its lifespan.

A number of mistakes can shorten the lifespan of garden hoses. First, a hose should be coiled up and put on a hanger or reeled in after every use to help prevent damage. So, keep your garden hose tucked away in style with a DIY storage technique and never leave it on the ground. You might also already know that a hose should be drained completely after turning off the water source in order to prevent internal damage. However, water isn't the only element that can damage garden hoses. While garden hoses are intended for outdoor use, leaving them out in the sun day after day is the big storage mistake you'll want to avoid.

While you can safely use a garden hose on a sunny day, it's important to store hoses and nozzles away from direct sunlight when they're not in use. In the long term, repeated sunlight exposure on a regular basis can cause hose materials to break down, leading to frustrating holes and cracks. Even if you have your hoses on reels or hangers, these will not provide shelter against UV exposure if you have these items in an area where the sun hits them for several hours each day.

Try to store your garden hoses in an area away from direct sun exposure that is also both cool and dry. This doesn't mean you have to bring them inside your home, though. Instead, look for areas around your home that may get a lot of shade during the day. This might be along the side of your home, near a shed or garage, or perhaps under the shade of a nearby tree. You can also bring them inside your garage, if you have enough space. If none of these spaces are an option, consider using a Garden Hose Holder storage bag or a hose holder pot to help protect it from the elements.

The key is to provide garden hoses with enough reprieve from direct sunlight so they may last as long as possible. By following this practice, you might also find yourself dealing with fewer holes and replacing garden hoses less often. If you do have a busted hose, consider some of the ways to reuse your old water hose around the garden before tossing it.