If you’re like most homeowners, you have a garden hose that you use to water your plants and lawn.
But what do you do with the hose when it’s not in use?
You could coil it up and put it in a bucket, but that can be a hassle. A garden hose reel is a better option. It’s a handy tool that lets you wind up your hose quickly and easily.
In today’s blog, it will take you through the garden hose reel system, what it is and how it works.
What is a Hose Reel?
Garden hose reels are essential pieces of equipment for the outdoor enthusiast to have.
They are used to store and carry around your garden hose, and they come in different shapes and sizes, so you must choose a reel that fits your needs.
The majority of hose reels vary in size and function, with specially constructed hose reels capable of storing a wide range of cord-like materials.
They’re typically composed of metal, fiberglass, or plastic, but there are also spring-driven, self-retracting, hand-crank, and motor-driven options.
Hose reels can be permanently affixed to a wall or section of a building, or they can be moved about on a truck, wagon, or cart.
How Does a Hose Reel Work?
When used in the garden, a hose reel is a device that allows you to easily and quickly coil up your garden hose.
It is a popular tool for outdoor activities, such as watering plants, washing the car, or cleaning the patio.
Some hose reels are not just for garden use but have their specific function for industrial operations.
The most common and affordable type of hose reel, on the other hand, wraps the hose using a hand crank.
Types of Hose Reel
Although we have approximately 3000 different hose reels, they all fall into three categories: Spring Retractable Hose Reel, Manual Rewind Hose Reel, and Motor Driven Hose Reel.
Spring Retractable Hose Reel
There are many different names for spring retractable hose reels, such as auto rewind, spring-powered, spring rewind, auto-retractable, and so on, but they all represent the same thing.
As the hose is drawn out, pressure is applied to a spring. The pressure will allow the hose to be rewound onto the drum reel once the procedure is completed.
Because the rewind technique relies solely on the internal spring, there are some length and I.D. restrictions that a hose with a spring rewind can store.
The pressure on the spring grows as the hose is drawn out, making it increasingly difficult to pull. The most significant length of 25mm hose that a retractable spring reel can hold is usually 30 meters.
Motor-Driven Hose Reel
Manufacturers of motorized reels create reels that can be utilized for any application as long as power is supplied.
These reels are commonly used in the fishing business and are available in some sizes to suit your needs.
On the other hand, the motor-driven reel has relatively few limitations and I.D. restrictions, requiring power.
Manual Rewind Hose Reel
The Manual Rewind Hose Reel has a handle attached to the drum, and one turn of the handle causes the drum to turn, handling up to 60 meters of hose.
More can be added, especially for thinner tubing, and some variants come with a bevel gear system.
This technology is cost-effective and ideal for long hose applications when electricity is unavailable.
Unfortunately, because the manual rewind requires no electricity to work, it can be physically demanding and time-consuming.
Step By Step Guide To Set Up A Hose Reel
Anyone who has ever tried to use a hose without a hose reel can tell you that it is not an easy task. A hose reel can make using a hose much easier by keeping the hose organized and tangle-free.
This step-by-step guide will show you how to set up a hose reel.
- Disconnect the Hose Reel from the faucet spigot.
Make sure you disconnect your hose reel from the faucet spigot. Also, check to see if it already has a vacuum breaker attachment. If so, finish installing the vacuum breaker now.
- Move the Hose Reel in a safe place.
When removing a hose, make sure that you move the hose reel to a driveway or area on your lawn where water will not be standing. You’d also want to avoid any nearby area that might collect the water after it flows out.
- Disconnect the hose from the water coupling.
When the hose is fully extended, you should be able to see the water coupling on the inner drum. If feasible, disconnecting it by hand or using pliers should allow for disconnecting the hose from the coupler.
- Ready the new hose.
To eliminate the bends, unpack the new hose and straighten it. If you’re having difficulty bending it, wring the hose out in direct sunlight. It should soften it and make it more flexible and easier to wind onto the hose reel. If you’re also changing your hose reel, now is the time to put it together.
- Assemble the Hose.
To achieve a watertight seal, insert the rubber or vinyl washer into the bottom of the female end of your new hose. When in place and you’re ready to drop off your new hose, attach it to a hose reel on its drum. Attach the female end of the hose to the reel if it has a guide opening.
- Thread the female hose to the inner drum of the hose reel.
Connect the female end of the hose to the water coupling on the hose reel’s inner drum. Tighten it firmly with channel-type pliers, but not so much that the threads are stripped, or the pieces are broken. The water coupler is a plastic component that might be damaged if too much force is applied.
- Begin winding clockwise.
Begin winding the hose onto the reel’s drum, caring to feed the hose in even coils back and forth across the drum. It usually takes clockwise revolutions of the reel handle. It might assist if you grip the hose with one hand while turning the reel handle with the other. If you’re using an electric hose reel, press the retraction button to wind the hose around the reel.
- Inspect.
Evaluate the hose that links the hose reel to the faucet fixture’s feeder hose. Make sure it’s in good shape, free of kinks and crack.
Inspect the female couplings on the feeder line to ensure they are in good condition and has include rubber or vinyl washers. If the feeder hose is secured to the hose reel drum using a hose clamp, double-check that it is tightly clamped around the drum’s tip.
Closing Note
A hose reel is an essential tool for gardening and other household tasks. Choosing the right type and size of hose reel for your needs is necessary.
Be sure to read the instructions carefully when setting it up and follow the safety precautions. With a bit of practice, you will be able to use your hose reel like a pro!
Reference:
Hose Reel Image from www.gardeningdream.com
Related Articles:
Pressure Washer vs Garden Hose | Which is Better?