Does the length of a pressure washer hose matter?

Author: Imani Schulist DVM  |  Last update: Monday, November 3, 2025

Longer hoses are more susceptible to damages as well, so keeping it short will make critical repairs less likely. Running 2 shorter hoses adds redundancy as well - if one hose is damaged, you can still work with a spare otherwise… you're dead in the water.

Does a longer pressure washer hose affect pressure?

Assuming a best-case scenario – working on flat ground and normal operating conditions – you typically won't lose much pressure as you increase the length of hose that you use. For instance, on a 3/8-inch hose with a 3 gallon/minute flow, the loss of pressure per 100 feet is about 50 PSI.

What is the ideal length for a pressure washer hose?

As long as you are feeding the unit from a building pressure (30-60 psi) supply then a standard 5/8'' garden hose will work perfectly. Length wont really matter too.

Can you use a 100 ft garden hose on a pressure washer?

It all depends on if you are using it for the inlet or outlet of the pressure washer. If you are using it on the inlet side, the answer is yes you can use a 100 ft garden hose. But there are going to be some drawbacks compared to using a shorter hose.

Does the length of a hose affect water pressure?

Hose length

The length of your hose can seriously affect the garden hose flow rate, as the longer the hose, the less water pressure there will be. This is because as water travels down the hose, it can lose pressure and offer far less flow rate, commonly referred to as friction loss.

Does HOSE SIZE affect PRESSURE WASHER Performance | Power Washing | Best Hose Size | PSI and GPM

How much pressure loss from a 100 ft garden hose?

These are maximum recommended flow rates, and this chart is based on a maximum acceptable pressure drop of 15% per 100 feet of hose.

Can a hose be too long?

A hose that is 25' long could have a flow rate of 24 GPM, depending on the diameter and PSI. Couple four of those same hoses together or use a 100' hose, and the flow rate will drop by 75 percent. Shorter is obviously better when it comes to efficiently watering your garden.

How far can you extend a pressure washer hose?

All machines can handle up to 40 meters of steel-reinforced hose with minimal impact on pressure levels when used at the same elevation. All AVA high-pressure washers are compatible with long extension hoses. You will experience negligible pressure loss when the machine and the washing area are at the same elevation.

What is the best water hose for a pressure washer?

PVC Plastic hoses are the most common. These hard, plastic hoses do the job, but they're not very flexible. If you get frustrated fighting your hose, you should consider upgrading to rubber or polyurethane. Rubber hoses are heavier and more flexible than ordinary plastic hoses.

Can you couple two pressure washer hoses together?

In this blog we will be discussing the same and will also explore different ways to do the same, the pros and cons of it and the process of disconnection of two hoses as well. The initial question that arises in one's mind is whether or not we can connect two pressure washer hoses. The answer is yes!

What length water hose do I need?

If your lawn is 500-2,000 sq ft, we recommend going with a 50' long hose. If you have a bigger lawn, 2,000-5,000 sq ft, the ideal hose will be 75' - 100' long. For odd-shaped lawns that require more flexibility, consider buying two shorter hoses and a connector to shorten or extend the length as needed.

Are Uberflex and Flexzilla the same?

For anyone wondering, flexzilla and uberflex use the same patent. Flexzilla licenses the patent from Propulse, the company that makes uberflex. As such, they should be made from the same material and feel fairly similar. I think flexzilla has a different texture (and color obviously).

Can you hook up a garden hose to a pressure washer?

Most pressure washers use a standard 3/4-inch garden hose connector.

How long should your pressure washer hose be?

Cleaning residential homes usually requires at least 100', as 50' often falls short in getting around the sides of a property. If you clean large trucks / trailers, sidewalks or parking lots, you'll definitely need to choose a longer hose for your application.

Why does my hose keep blowing off the pressure washer?

Check the O-ring seal may be missing or damaged, If you have a screw connection high-pressure hose, the hose may blow off if it has not been screwed tight enough, or if the threads are damaged.

Does reducing hose size increase pressure?

For example, if the diameter of a pipe is reduced over a very short distance, you'll be able to observe the resulting increase in pressure quite noticeably, as in the garden hose scenario above.

Should I use 3/8 or 5/16 pressure washer hose?

The most common size of pressure washer hose, as you shop for 50' hoses, is 3/8". Gas pressure washers pretty much all use 3/8". 5/16" is only a 16th of an inch larger than the standard hose.

Can I use any type of hose for a pressure washer?

Pressure washer hoses are not universal; using the wrong hose could result in damage to your pressure washer, as well as to the object you are trying to clean, or worse, it could cause an injury. Be sure to consult your pressure washer's owner's manual to determine which hose is compatible with your machine.

What size hose gives the best pressure?

Here's the thing to remember about garden hose dimensions: A larger diameter of hose carries more water per minute. A larger diameter hose can also be useful in handling differences in water pressure. For example, if you are pushing water uphill through a hose, it will be more beneficial to use a large diameter hose.

Does a pressure washer lose pressure with a longer hose?

If your hose is 100 feet or less, no, your hose will not likely have issues. However, if you want to use a hose that is a few hundred feet long, you will lose a noticeable amount of water pressure. Most pressure washers are not sold with long hoses because the best pressure is achieved from a shorter hose.

Is a 100 foot hose too long?

For small yards, patios, and balconies, 25 feet garden hose should be enough. Larger garden may need 150 feet or even longer to reach the farthest corners. If you need to go past 100 feet, consider buying a 100-foot or a 125-foot. Believe me,100-foot hose is not too long.

Does hose size affect pressure washer performance?

In general, the larger the hose diameter, the more water it can deliver, and the higher the pressure the pressure washer can generate. This is because a larger diameter hose has a larger internal area, allowing more water to flow through at a faster rate.

How long should washer hoses be?

Washing machine hoses typically range from 4 to 12 feet in length. Choosing the correct length is important to avoid unnecessary tension or slack leading to kinks. Standard Lengths: 5–6 feet is usually sufficient for most installations.

Can a hose be extended?

Simply push your push-fit hose connectors onto the extension joint. The quick release connectors mean adjusting your hoses length takes a matter of seconds. If you want a connection which doesn't release all the water when you release the connector then use a water stop.

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