Prevent A Garden Hose From Cracking This Winter With A Simple Fix

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

We treat our garden hose as if it's invincible. Throughout spring and summer, it bears the weight of watering cans, sprinklers, and our busy hands without complaint. We twist it, pull it, and rarely think about its limits. But winter has a way of reminding us that nothing lasts forever, from the warmth of a sunny afternoon to the green of a thriving garden, so when the frost comes, the dependable garden hose tube can crack and fail at the moment you least expect. One simple way to avoid this issue is to coil your hose properly before the frost hits.

When temperatures drop, the water inside your hose freezes and expands. This pushes your hose walls to their breaking point. That slow pressure creates cracks that don't always show up immediately, but they grow like little time bombs, ready to leak the moment you turn the tap on in spring. Then, there are the twists and turns your hose collects over months of use. Cold stiffens the rubber, and those bends become stress points that are far more likely to tear under pressure. But you'll never have problems with your hose if you coil it. It smooths out those curves and gives the rubber a chance to relax instead of bracing against itself.

Before coiling, the first thing you need to do is drain every drop of water from the hose. Lift one end and shake it a few times. You can also give gentle squeezes like wringing out a wet towel. Once done, lay it flat on the ground. Any bends or stubborn kinks from months of use need to relax now because if you coil a hose with twisted sections, you're basically creating stress points that will wreak havoc come winter.

Now start forming the coil. The best way to coil your garden hose to keep it free of tangles is to start at one end and create a loose circle on the ground. Then, form a loop and gently place it on top of the circle. Keep layering loop over loop, one on top of another, until the entire hose is coiled neatly. Patience is your best friend here. When your coil is ready, grab a strap like the ZESION Heavy Duty Straps. They come with a hook, so you can keep your garden hose tucked away in style by hanging it. This will allow any remaining water droplets to drain out naturally. If hanging isn't possible, place it somewhere dry and sheltered. The key is to elevate it from the ground.