Using a hose for cleaning up your backyard or watering plants and trees is a good idea indeed. But after using a hose, it’s a pretty annoying job to coil it up and store it inside the garage. We usually try to avoid this stuff. It happens mostly in winter when staying outside the house becomes pretty tough as bone-chilling breezes feel like arrows hitting your body. During cold weather, we all try to avoid extra chores like collecting the tools after the job is done. However, can hoses be left out in the winter?
If you ask us, the honest answer would be a big NO! You shouldn’t leave hoses out in the winter when you are planning to use them for a long time. A frozen nursery hose can explode because of the water inside. The remaining water inside freezes up the inner wall of the tube, which actually reduces the material’s elasticity and capability to take the pressure.
Ultimately, the best thing is to be a bit extra responsible and go along with the hose inside your house. Although rubber-made hoses are far more durable than other ones in the market, they also need some maintenance. They might be tough ones and endure temperatures around zero degrees. Yet, you can’t always keep them outside.
A complete guide: Can I Leave my Hoses Outside in the Winter?
We discussed earlier that when the temperature drops up to zero or minus degrees in the winter months, it wouldn’t be wise to leave the hose outside.
If you do so, then the remaining water inside the hose will be frozen, which ultimately puts the whole diameter of the pipe at risk. However, the risk factors will be influenced by the following 2 points:
- The preparation of the hose and
- Maintaintenane of your hose
Remember, colder temperatures are a threat to a garden hose. If you leave it outside, you will face the following problems.
a) Left Out Water Can Cause Cracking:
So you already know, if the water is trapped in the hose, what will happen? Yes, the frozen water is the ultimate result of the trapped water inside the hose that can cause cracking. For any reason, the hose will be at high risk, especially if both ends are sealed.
This occurs when you join the hose to any water source like a faucet or hydrant and attach it to the opponent’s side. Installing a hose reel could be a solution to this problem.
If the case is like that, removing the freezing water from the pipe is impossible. Moreover, the freezing water can cause heavy pressure because it expands. So the ultimate result is splitting or cracking the hose.
Note: Ensure that you drained it thoroughly after use to avoid possible damages.
b) Hose That Becomes Brittle Can Easily Be Broken:
In winter, the cold temperature is the main issue that will change the hose condition and make it brittle or fragile.
A brittle hose can easily be broken when you try to move them or carry them up to store or other needs.
Be careful when you think that you need to use the hose that becomes brittle. It is recommended to make a water flow through the hose before moving or using it.
Steps to Follow When You’re Keeping Hoses Outside in Winter
If you’re still willing to keep your garden hose outside in the backyard even knowing it could damage the hose, then let’s give you some tips. There are some basics needed to be kept in mind when siphons (a tube used to convey liquid) are at a cold temperature.
Step 1 (Turning off the Outside Water Tap)
Whether the tube’s outside or not, you must keep the tap shut off. Modern pattern houses have the power off button inside the house so that owners don’t have to go out every time to turn off the tap.
Step 2 (Detach the Hose From the Tap)
It is highly recommended to detach the hose from the water tap for maximum safety. Or else there is always a chance of inviting water from the tap to the hose that can cause icing inside. It could make cracks inside.
Step 3 (Draining)
Hoses can be left out in the winter safely if all the water is drained from the hose. You can drain water from the hose effectively by running your hose over a high surface where gravity naturally allows water to depart.
Step 4 (Discarding the Sprayer Nozzle)
As a regular user, you’ve noticed that there’s always some water remaining in the nozzle.
Make sure the nozzle is dry if you are planning to keep the nozzle outside too. Also, if your hose is attached to several places, don’t forget to detach them before wrapping up.
Step 5 (Coiling)
Coiling is very important while keeping the hose unused no matter what the season is. Especially in winter, it is a must to do after finishing the tasks mentioned above.
Hence, you need to know the perfect shape of the coiling. Cause, too tight coiling results in breaking the hose. Keep it unstressed about at least 2 or 2 ½ feet in diameter for betterment.
Step 6 (Securing the Ends)
After coiling, you can secure the ends with a tie wrap. This prevents getting the inside of the hose dirty in the winter.
This is a pretty covered answer for how to keep the hoses out in the freezing winter. With these steps, you can definitely keep the garden siphons outside without the hassle of moving them inside of the house every day.
Which Type of Hoses or Pipes Do You Need to Use in the Winter Season?
Now, it’s time we tell you about the best garden hoses to use in winter. Definitely, not all tubes coop with the chilled winter days. Thus, you need to consider these two key points while picking a hose for your garden during winter.
- Hose Material
There are two types of hose materials popular in the market; vinyl and rubber hose. To use in the winter, rubber hoses are the best as we’ve mentioned above.
Reinforced rubber hoses are considered high-quality hose that give ultimate durability in all weather. They stay flexible even at around minus 40 degrees F.
On the other hand, vinyl hoses are lightweight but start to stiff at only 45 degrees F. That’s why the rubber is the best choice without any doubt.
- Hose Diameter:
Hoses with a ¾’’ diameter provide the best service. The reinforced rubber hose with a larger diameter is costly, but they are best to use in winter.
We’re suggesting the best option for the cold. So, if you are opting for a new hose, especially for winter, invest in this type to prevent the cracking issue.
Video: What Happens When You Leave Your Garden Hose in Winter?
The Bottom Line
Using the garden hose in winter temperature requires some maintenance and care, especially when you are keeping it out. There’s a guide on how hoses can be left out in the winter to help you in this matter.
Along with that, we’ve also pointed out the best type to use in cold weather.
In fine, we recommend keeping in mind where you are living and whether the environment allows keeping gardening tools outside or not. These all would allow making the right choice regarding any of your precious tools.
