The expansion is also awkward. It looks pretty sci-fi to watch an expandable hose expand to its full length, but you need to clear some room. They thrash around unpredictably as they get to full length, so you must move delicate flower pots out of the way. You also can't open the hose as it contracts.
The literature says to keep them out of the sun and to always evacuate the water immediately after use. I keep one of them in the garage out of the sun and it burst yesterday. I just love these hoses except for the fact that this is the 6th one I have replaced in less than 2 years. I used four already this season.
What is the downside of expandable hoses? In my experience, the biggest downside is longevity compared to more durable hoses. The fittings pop off or they develop a gushing leak near the faucet. Getting a longer hose than you need helps to reduce over-pulling and stress near the spigot.
Imagine the stress and cleanup created by a flexi hose bursting, as it can leak up to 1500 liters of water per hour, flooding your home and damaging carpets, walls, flooring, and furniture. Not to mention the cost of the water that has been wasted and the essential repairs and replacement of your furnishings.
Tour Winner I have found that you cannot use an expandable hose with a pressure washer as it sucks the water from the main at a greater pressure than the supply and therefore the hose collapses.
Cons of Expandable Holes:
Pressure Requirement: Expandable hoses need a minimum water pressure to expand fully, and low pressure can render them less effective. Longevity: Many expandable hoses do not last as long as traditional hoses under regular use, especially if left outside and exposed to the elements.
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.
On average, flexi-hoses will last between 5-10 years, but ideally should be replaced by a professional every 5 years to avoid the risk of them bursting. Getting a professional to regularly check your flexi-hoses for warning signs is very important!
Like most things, flexi hoses come with an expiry date, usually around five to ten years after installation. Over time water pressure and other factors can lead to weakness in the hose. Unfortunately, there's a high chance of a burst occurring while nobody is at home, or while you are asleep.
These three areas are pressure rating, inspection, and restraint.
Rough surfaces such as sharp stones, thorns, and rough concrete can cause abrasions and punctures on the hose, ultimately leading to leaks. These leaks not only reduce the hose's lifespan but also decrease its effectiveness in delivering water to your plants or garden.
The adapter is designed to be easily attached to the end of a garden hose. It typically has a standard hose barb connector and hose clamp that can be securely screwed onto the hose, ensuring a leak-free connection.
Can the hose be left outside in the elements (sun, cold, etc.)? We recommend keeping the hose out of the elements as much as you can to extend the lifespan of the hose.
Garden hoses can burst due to high water pressure, improper storage, kinks and twists, material degradation, external damage, freezing conditions, and poor repairs.
The best way to store an expandable hose is in a container or hose storage pot. They should be stored indoors, out of direct sunlight, or in a storage container with a lid. Stylish hose pots can be a great storage solution for these types of hoses.
Flexible Plumbing Hose Problems
If you are not home and there is a leaking flexible hose under your sink, there could be an extensive amount of water damage to your home. This may include or result in, A flooded home. Damage to the walls and ceiling.
But even when used with care, failure of the expandable hoses is common, as our online readers continue to tell us.
Hoses complying with the flexible hose standard should have a minimum guaranteed life of 10 years, at the maximum temperature and pressure. Hoses not exposed to these extremes are expected to have a longer life. Table 1 lists the factors that can lead to premature failure of a flexible hose.
If you forget to disconnect your hose before temperatures begin to drop, your hose can freeze, and suddenly you have ice in the spigot and pipes inside your home. Left unattended, the frozen water can continue to expand until it bursts the supply pipe leading to the spigot itself.
Wrap the ferrule with plumber's joint tape or coat it with a joint compound. Hook it back up, tighten, and test. If these measures fail to solve your problem quickly, it could be the fault of the old line. Buy a new flexible line, apply joint tape or joint compound to the male threads, and screw it on.
Avoid expandable hoses
Don't use an expandable hose. While it can be done, they're generally quite thin and have a small diameter, and the pressure running through them can be too much for the material, causing issues or even loosening the hose from the pressure washer.
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).
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.