Last Updated on May 5, 2022 by Gary Stephen
Hoses are every gardener’s best friend! But, how to Use a Hose Reel?
It is like having a watering can with an unlimited supply of water. It helps you shower your plants at wherever corner they may be in your yard.
But, this convenient tool can also be a gardener’s worst enemy.
Why so?
Its function may be superb but this long and winding hose can quite a handful to tidy. With this mess laying around your lawn, it can be such an eyesore taking the beauty out of the garden. Furthermore, it also poses potential risks for accidents. It ain’t fun to trip over your own hoses after all.
Thus, here comes every garden’s savior, the garden hose reel<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>!
This simple yet super helpful machine can organize your garden hoses like a breeze.
Sounds amazing, right?
So, in this article, we will give you seven tips & tricks on how to use garden hose reels like a pro. Moreover, we will also include some of our top picks on the best hose reels in the market.
Without much said, let’s dive in!
How to Use
Tip #1: Choose the right type
There are basically three main types of hose reels: the manual, spring, and the powered hose reels. All three give you the same end result, and that is to keep your hoses tidy. Nevertheless, the mechanism of how each type works may differ from one another.
Manual Hose Reel
This kind of hose reel makes use of a “hand crank“ to manually operate the machine. This crank is being connected to the drum. So, when you turn the handle or the crank, the drum turns as well winding in the attached hose. That is as simple as it can be!
Our top picks:
Coxreels Hand Crank Steel Hose Reel
Liberty Basics Wall Mount Hose Reel
AMES NeverLeak Poly Wall Mount Reel
Spring Hose Reel
This is a semi-automatic type of hose reel. It functions using spring and locking mechanisms. You can draw out any length of the hose and the ratchet will securely lock it in place. The longer the pulled hose is though, the more stretched the spring will become.
To wind the hose back in the drum, simply tug the hose a bit and it will release the lock. The tension from the spring then facilitates the automatic rolling of the drum. Thus, consequently winding in the attached hose.
Our top picks:
Giraffe Retractable Garden Hose Reel
RL Flo-Master Retractable Hose Reel
Powered Hose Reel
Powered hose reels are often referred to as motor-driven hose reels. Because the mechanism works through the use of electricity, it is way more powerful than other types. Thus, it is much capable to reel in very long, bulky, and heavy-duty hoses. This makes it an ideal type for commercial uses.
This is super easy and effortless to operate. Simply plug in the device to the power source and you’re all set to wind in or out your garden hose. But since it comes with a more complex motor system, maintenance is deemed necessary every now and then.
Our top picks:
Reelcraft Heavy Duty Motor Driven Hose Reel
Gardena Retractable Battery Operated Hose Reel
Tip #2: Secure and accessible placement
Of course, what good is your hose reel if it is being placed too far from the water source. The closer you set up your reel to your faucet, the more accessible and convenient it will be for you. That way, you can easily attach the connector to the faucet without running the extra mile.
Furthermore, it is also equally important to secure the placement of your hose. Find the most stable location for it. Wall mounting is best but it can also be in any substantial structure too. As long as it can manage the weight of the reel plus the hose. At the same time, it should also be strong enough to withstand the constant movements from reeling in and out of the hose.
Our top picks:
Giraffe Wall/Floor Mount Stainless Steel
Jabttraxx Wall/Floor Mount Portable
Tip #3: Follow the recommended capacity
The right hose reel calls for the right length and diameter of the garden hose itself too. This is one basic way to ensure that you have a smooth operation of your machine.
Each reel comes with its respective maximum capacity. So, both the hose’s length and diameter are relevant to each other. The smaller the diameter, the more lengths you can accommodate. But as the hose gets bulkier, the shorter the length that can fit in your reel.
Going beyond the recommended capacity of your hose reel can cause several problems. It can likely create kinks, leaks, and cracks that can badly damage the integrity of your garden hose. This defeats the very purpose of your reel to provide proper storage. So, if you want your reel to run smoothly, make sure to follow what is being recommended by the manufacturer.
Our top picks:
AMES NeverLeak Decorative Swivel Hose Reel for 100-foot Hose
Suncast Resin Outdoor Wall Mount Hose Reel for 200-foot Hose
Liberty Garden Industrial 2-Wheel Garden Hose Reel Cart for 300-foot Hose
Aleko Heavy-Duty Hose Reel Cart for 400-foot Hose
Tip #4: Handle with care
Manual hose reels demand the most attention as it requires a one-on-one operation. Thus, you have to make sure to guide the hose accordingly as it winds in the drum. This will help prevent the formation of kinks along the way. Plus, this will also ensure that the roll is well-aligned and not loose.
Spring and motor driven hose reels also need some level of assistance too. The most basic care you can give is to make sure that you do not pull the hoses too hastily. Doing so can damage the mechanism and lose its ability to recoil. This is especially true in the case of spring-driven hose reels.
Furthermore, not because the reel facilitates the winding of the hose means you can already let your guards down. It would still be best to oversee the process. This will halt any possible occurrence of hose twisting and the like.
Tip #5: Opt for reels with hose guide
A hose guide is a very handy feature to have in your hose reels. This serves as a track guide that leads in your hose into proper positioning while it is being winded in or out of the reel. This gives you lesser chances of forming kinks or twistings of the hoses. Although, not all hose reels are built-in with such a feature. So, whenever you’re buying, it is worth it to consider this in your checklist.
Our top picks:
Giraffe Metal Hose Reel with Auto Track System
Suncast Reson Outdoor Hose Hideaway with Slide Track Hose Guide
Giraffe Stainless Steel Hose Reel with Guide System
Tip #6: Secure storage
Choose a storage location where you can securely stash away your reels along with the hose. You need to keep them both protected especially against harsh weather conditions. As much as possible avoid long exposures from direct sunlight. UV rays can brittle the material. It breaks down the outer lining of the pipe causing it to eventually crack and leak water.
Extreme temperatures also result in the expansion of the water molecules. This action then can put a lot of stress in the hose’s inner lining causing it to expand as well and even get deformed. In either case, it compromises the integrity of your hose on so many levels.
Our top picks:
AMES NeverLeak Cold Weather Resistant Hose Cabinet
Suncast Resin Wicker Hose Hideaway
Delxo Retractable Garden Water Hose Reel
Tip #7: Practice regular maintenance
Like any other garden tools, you also need to keep your hose in tiptop shape. Most types of hose reels would only require minimal care maintenance. As simple as regular wiping off dirt and debris between uses already helps a lot in keeping your reel clean and neat.
Remember also not to use harsh chemicals when cleaning the reel and the hose. These solutions can degrade the surface of the material. As a result, it increases the likelihood to crack, tarnish, and break.
Wrapping Up:
There you go! Those are our 7 pro tips and tricks on using garden hose reels. These are just simple ways you can do to maximize the efficiency of your machine. No special tools needed, just the right knowledge. Moreover, doing such practices regularly would also help a lot in maintaining the condition and prolonging the lifespan of your garden hoses. Thus, saving you all the hassles and unnecessary spendings from frequent hose replacements. This also means more time for you to have easy peasy watering in your garden.
