How to Use a Garden Hose Reel

A garden hose reel can be manual or automatic, portable or mounted. These various types of hose reels serve the same purpose of transporting substance (often water) across a distance. However, their handling is a bit different. 


We will talk about how you can choose the right type of hose reel and how to use it. So you’re not replacing your hose reel every year, we will discuss maintenance. Are you ready to begin?

Our Best Tips to Help You Get the Most of Your Garden Hose

If you don’t have to replace your hose reel all the time, this can save you money and is also convenient. This is why we have written this piece. We will first go over all the different types of reels. We’d examine the pros and cons as we do before giving you a verdict.

If you are shopping for a garden reel, the points covered in this article will help you make a choice. 

How to Use a Garden Hose Reel

Types of Garden Hose Reels

Generally, we can group garden hose reels by their functionality and portability. In this sense, hose reels can be:

  • Manual
  • Automatic
  • Wall-Mounted
  • Portable

Manual Hose Reels: Features and Uses

Most of us grew up to know the manual hose. They are the oldest type of hose. Because they are designed to simply do the job, they are not fanciful. This simple design has its benefits and some drawbacks. 

Features of the Manual Hose Reel

This model features some critical parts such as a:

  1. Reel drum
  2. Frame or base
  3. Crank or handle

The reel drum is the cylinder-shaped part that the hose is wrapped around. Meanwhile, the frame supports the drum. This frame or base can also be useful for mounting the reel. Finally, there is a handle to help with winding and unwinding the hose. 

The design of the manual hose reel is deliberate. For example, you may know the reel to be durable. These types will be in use for many years without becoming damaged. Also, it is easy to use. Simply unwind the crank to use the hose. So should you get a manual reel? 

Well, these types of reels play a key role in gardening, car wash, and agriculture. A manual hose reel should do the job in these situations. But we should warn you that they have a few drawbacks. 

Winding and unwinding a manual reel is slow. Imagine wrapping and unwrapping several yards of hose. Think of the labor and effort this will need. The wheel may help but only so much. This drawback is a reason why the manual reel often cost less than a retractable one. 

How to Use a Garden Hose Reel

Automatic Hose Reels: Key Functionalities and Benefits

The automatic hose reel improves on the manual reel. It uses a built-in tech that allows the hose to roll up without the user contribution. This system is pretty convenient. Also, think of all the time and energy it would save a regular hose user. 

The retracting tech sometimes use a system of loaded springs to retract the hose. The system is purely mechanical. Another way this is done is via an electrical system. As you may have guessed, the electrical system uses electrical energy and is battery powered. This constraint may be a drawback in areas where electricity is inaccessible. 

These models are advanced and will allow you to lock the hose at a certain length. This feature will give you more control, making it easier to wash the car or water the garden. 

The Benefits of Automatic Hose Reels

The automatic hose reel is often preferred to the manual types. There are good reasons why anyone would pick the automatic reels. 

Stress-free: No need to wind the hose manually. The benefit is that it is convenient. Even challenged individuals, such as elderly ones can use it without stressing themselves. 

Save time: If you use your hose all the time, you can save several hours in a month by choosing this high tech reel. And remember, as they say, "time is money".

Safer: Absolutely, the retractable hose is more safe. Sometimes, the manual hose is left to lie around in the garden or in the backyard. Especially young children and elderly ones can trip on the hose and fall. A high impact fall can lead to a medical emergency. But you can avoid this crisis with a automatic retractable hose. Retract the length of the hose with one button push. 

Long life: The hose will likely always be rolled because of the automatic retraction system. This will mean that it has less folds, no tangles, or scratches. This benefit will preserve the device.

Beautiful and organized: We make good looking gadgets at Relhostool. If you are looking for something that befits your environment while being tidy, then shop with us. 

Improved work output in industries: If you work in construction or firefighting service, it is not enough to get work done. Time is crucial. When there is no time to waste, that is when you need a smart hose reel. 

Because of these unique benefits, you will find an automatic retractable hose in private areas like the garden. However, their presence is especially dominant in industrial or work areas like car wash, fire service offices, car wash, and farms. 

This hose reel does not need effort to wind, but it comes with other cool feature like lockable length, so you can use as is fit. 

How to Use a Garden Hose Reel

Wall-Mounted vs. Portable Reels: Pros and Cons

Our retractable hose can be hand held or hung on the wall. Depending on the construction, one should be able to eject it from the wall needed. A mounted hose and a free lying one have their pros and cons. 

Wall-Mounted Hose Reels: Pros and Cons

A wall mounted hose reel is attached to a wall or post. Sometimes, you may need a standby hose in a location like garden or garage. Then this is useful. 

Pros

Here are the benefits: 

Save space: The reel is suspended on the wall or post. Unless it is being used, there is enough space on the floor for other activities.

Stable handling: The hose is steady while you water your farm or wash your card. 

Cons

There are some drawbacks to wall mounted reels:

Difficult movement: Imagine you need the reel in a different location. It can be difficult or nearly impossible to mount or unmount at will. This means there are areas that the hose won't reach.

Needs to be installed: Installation will likely cost some money and require a professional artisan like a carpenter.

How to Use a Garden Hose Reel

Portable Hose Reels: Pros and Cons

Portable hose reels can be moved around. This flexibility is a major but there are other benefits and drawbacks:

Pros

Here are the benefits: 

Portable: You can move the reel across your large garden or through multiple job sites.

Flexible use: Because you can carry it around, you won't be stranded in areas without a fixed water source.

Easy storage: When you are not using the reel, simply drop it in a storage box

Installation not needed: You don't have to mount a portable. They are ready to use from out of the box.

Cons

There are some drawbacks of portable reels:

Unstable: A portable reel can be unsteady. Imagine your reel tipping over as you try to cover the area of your garden. 

Storage space: These reels take up scarce ground space. 

Manual effort: The lack of a mount can make you use more effort than usual. You will have to pick up the reel to a new area each time.

How to Use a Garden Hose Reel

Preparing to Use a Garden Hose Reel

Trying to set up your home garden with a hose reel? You can be done today; it’s super easy:

  1. Choose the right reel
  2. Inspect the hose for defect
  3. Install the hose reel

In these 3 steps, you are ready to start using the hose over your garden or site. But you should consider the garden size and your needs when making a choice. A bigger hose reel will be able to do a lot more work in a short time. You may not have a need for this if you plan using it over a small area. 

Also, shop with confidence when you order your hose reels with us. Our products are defect-free and have withstood vigorous testing. Simply install the reel when your order arrives!

Installing the Hose Reel

Remember, only a wall mounted device will need installation. For the portable option, simply get a storage box for it. 

To install the reel, follow these steps:

  1. Select a location: Choose where the reel should be.
  2. Mark drill points: Mark the points on the wall or post to hold the bracket or support.
  3. Fasten the bracket: Drill or nail the bracket on the wall or post.
  4. Hang the reel: Simply hang the reel when you are done.
How to Use a Garden Hose Reel

Attaching the Hose to the Reel

Connect the inlet hose to the device and make sure the connection is tight. Then wind the hose to the desired length. You may test the entire hose if you are using it for the first time. Then test your connection. 

Operating the Garden Hose Reel

To operate the reel is simple:

  1. Unwind the hose
  2. Connect to a water source (e.g tap)
  3. Roll or retract the hose when you are done using it

You will have to use the crank or wheel to roll the manual hose reel. The automatic reel is much simpler. 

Maintenance and Storage Tips

Consider these tips to care for your reel: 

  • Clean dirt and debris on and inside the hose or reel. 
  • Check for wear and tear. Then fix any damage on time. 
  • Store your idle reel in a dry shade. Ensure there is no water in the hose during winter. 

Residue water can freeze and damage the hose during the cold winter. 

  • If you use the manual reel, remember to lubricate moving parts like the drum or wheel. This will not only maintain your gadget, it will improve your operation. 
How to Use a Garden Hose Reel

Troubleshooting Common Issues

As you use your reel, a few issues may come up. Here’s how to settle them: 

Hose won't retract: Check to ensure that a blockage or tangle is not responsible for the stoppage.

Leaking connection: Tighten or the ends of the hose or replace damaged fittings. 

Stiff crank: Use a machine oil to lubricate the crank. 

Uneven winding: Some manual reels have a guide to prevent this issue. In the absence of one, ensure the hose is properly laid down. Then use one hand to guide the hose as you roll the crank with the other hand. 

Our Last Words

If you own a garden, you need a hose reel to simplify your work. There are a lot of terms around this tool but the most important thing is to buy a dependable tool. Order from Relhostool