You just started gardening in your yard and called your friend Phil for help. Your friend suggests you get a hose pipe. He then went on to add: ‘As well as a hose reel. That is important too’.
You looked at him confused. What is the difference between both? Are they not the same?
We get this question a lot from many new gardeners. To help you and many others know the difference between a hose pipe and a reel, read on.
So, what are the key differences? Check below:
One difference is the history. Hose pipes were designed to carry liquid or gasses. Back in the day, they were made of leather.
It was then made of natural rubber by the 1900s. The rubber made it better than leather. It was rigid and flexible.
Still, there was a problem. Natural rubber vulcanizing was not easy. The producers will add chemicals to the rubber to increase its rigidity. This was expensive and stressful.
After World War II, synthetic rubbers came on board. They were stronger and better. They were vessels for chemicals and other liquids.
Hoses today are of metal, fiber, or steel materials. You use it for your watering needs. Others use them in industries.
How about the reels? Surprisingly, they are no new invention. The oldest reel was here in the 17th century for firefighters. Their hoses were so heavy that the firefighters were not working well.
Holland saw this problem and created the new reels. People from other countries soon copied the invention. In time, hose reels became popular in many countries.
Newer technologies soon made producers create better hose reels. They became easier to carry. They went from iron and steel frames to aluminum and plastic.
You can get hose reels in different materials of your choice today. They are lightweight. And of course, more affordable than before.
Your hose pipes can be rubber, PVC, metal, or steel. You can get them in different lengths too.
Firefighters prefer a longer hose (as you already know). But if you have a small yard, go for a shorter hose.
Purchasing a long hose is not that bad. But it is work, real work. A long hose means more weight. Imagine dragging a heavy hose around your garden.
Short hoses are much better. This is not your average ‘shortness’ range. It is around 15-20m long. It helps control the pressure from your water source.
Choosing the right hose length means you take measurements. You measure the longest distance from your tap to your garden. Then add a few meters to that. Buying a hose with the exact length could spoil your hose.
Hoses are maneuverable. You can turn them in different positions when using them. They are so easy to maneuver.
Hose reels have a drum-like structure. Or you could say that they are cylindrical. The drum-like structure is where you roll up your hose.
There are manual and automatic reels. Using the manual is easy but you need to work. You crank the handle up and down to roll the hose. The hose wounds up as you turn the handle.
For better convenience, an automatic retractable hose reel is best. It retracts the hose after use. You stretch out your hose, lock it in, and then it auto-retracts after use. The reel automatically wound your hose in place.
Your hose transports gasses or liquids. But as a gardener, you will only use it for the latter. Get the end part of your hose to the tap and start using it.
You can water your gardens and lawns. Doing so improves your garden’s beauty. It will look well taken care of all year.
Hoses are still useful for others. Firefighters use them. Petroleum industries use them in production. Other industries use pipes for their fluid needs.
Hose reels store your hoses. You will not find your hose with kinks and knots again. That is the purpose of a reel. Keeping hoses organized.
A hose left in the sun is a sight for sore eyes. It looks dirty and discolored. And we know it would not be long before the hose cracks and starts leaking.
This is why you need a reel. A reel protects your hose from the blazing sun.
It also helps to free up space in the garage or wherever you store your hose. You can mount the reel on the wall freeing up space.
Hoses can be a hassle, lying around the floor waiting to trip someone. No one will want to get their leg tangled in a hose. With a reel, you safely wound your hose and reduce accidents.
You can expect a lot of benefits from a hose pipe. You need to know that the benefits vary based on the material. Still, we complied some common benefits you get from a hose pipe:
Hoses are lightweight and portable. You can carry them up and down your stairs. You can move them on your soil beds without damaging your plants.
Its portability also improves watering. You can carry the hose to spot water in a specific plant or soil bed.
Today’s hoses are lightweight and easy to move around. You will experience no struggle when watering. You will not tire out after watering too. Gardening becomes enjoyable.
You can store hoses better now. You can roll it up and keep it in a cool place.
Remember that this depends on the material. Rubber pipes might be hard to store well. But materials like vinyl and other synthetic rubbers are easy to store.
We remember those times when watering cans was a thing. You fill up your can and start watering each bed. Thanks to the hose, we will not live through that time-wasting nightmare.
A hose saves time. You can reach more areas on your flower or plant bed too. You save time and focus on doing other things in your garden.
How about hose reels? Check out some benefits:
A reel protects your hose from wear and tear. A rough hose forms knots and kinks. This causes a hose to get damaged.
A reel will also protect your hose from bad weather. This makes your hose last longer and saves money.
With a reel, your hose is neatly stored. It saves time to untangle a hose before use. You can mount the reel on walls to save space for other things.
A hose lying on the floor uncluttered is a gardener’s fever dream. You will surely love your hose stored well than left lying on the ground. A reel makes this possible.
The reel is a dirt and sunshine protector. Neither sun nor rain can spoil your hose. Your hose will last for a long time.
But, we advise you to always clean your hose after use. This keeps it clean for the next use.
A hose left on the ground could cause you to trip and fall. A hose reel reduces the risk of such accidents. With your hose coiled and off the ground, you reduce injuries.
A hose reel helps you use your hose better. You can extend the hose to the length you want to reach in your garden. You can either do so with hand. Or you could just get a retractable hose reel.
With a reel, you water your plants well. You add to the beauty of your plants too. You also reduce water waste.
Hose pipes come with some drawbacks. These include:
Hoses tangle and form knots. This can be a problem for many. How will you feel if you start your day trying to untangle a hose? Very demoralizing.
When untangling, you can damage your hose. Tangling also causes knots that affect water flow.
Your hose could take up important space in your garage. But, thankfully if you get a hose reel, you can roll up your hose and save space.
Hose reel’s drawbacks are:
Hose reel’s only drawback is their cost and installation fees. It can be expensive to get a
hose reel let alone install it. But the benefits outweigh the cost. You get a tool that can last for a long time.
If we were to ask you what the difference is between a hose pipe and a reel, you know the answer. It is simple. A hose carries fluids. While a reel stores the hose.
Both are useful and you can choose to buy any. You might decide to buy a quality hose pipe and leave out the hose reel. But if you want your hose to last, a retractable hose reel is worth getting.