It has been found that water in garden hoses, which lie in a place exposed to sunlight, is able to reach temperatures at which, in case of contact with human skin, there is a risk of scalding.
It's something you might not ever have even imagined, but your garden hose can burn you with scalding hot water. Yes, you read that right: your water hose can burn you, and here's how it can happen.
Leaving a hose on can be of high risk or low risk depending on how long it was left and the temperature conditions surrounding it. If you leave your hose for a long period of time, the water will stress the hose, which in turn it will lead to a ruptured hose--valves will break, and faucets will be loose.
Generally using a garden hose in freezing temperatures isn't recommended as the water can freeze inside the hose, causing it to expand and potentially crack. If you own the GOODLAND Everlasting Garden Hose, temperatures below 32° F or 0° C aren't an issue and won't damage the hose.
Garden hoses are made from PVC, which has a range of melting points ranging from 100 degrees Celcius all the way up to 260 degrees depending on the additives.
The water temperature can be up to 60°C for short periods. In continuous use, however, the water temperature should not exceed 35°C.
Don't leave your garden hose in direct sun
If the water heats up and evaporates, you may find that pressure builds up inside the pipe. This can eventually cause it to become weak and increase chances of breaking.
Hoses can be stored outside as long as you make sure to drain all of the water from the hose. Hoses can be drained easily by running them over a tall place where gravity forces water to exit the hose. This ensures that the hose won't split when any residual water freezes.
Water inside a hose can reach temperatures of 60°C (140°F) when left sitting in extreme heat. WARNING: Graphic images below. The summer sun is strong, so if you have water sitting stagnant in your hose, its temperature will be rising.
Typically, a good-quality garden hose can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. These hoses are usually exposed to the elements, dealing with heat, UV rays, and sometimes, freezing conditions, which all can impact their longevity.
It's important to disconnect garden hose in summer to prevent it from fusing to spigot this winter. It is summertime, and it is dry, which means you are using your hose a lot. It also means it is important to disconnect that hose from the spigot and any watering nozzles to prevent them from fusing.
Garden hoses can burst due to high water pressure, improper storage, kinks and twists, material degradation, external damage, freezing conditions, and poor repairs.
It's better to make sure all hoses are dried out and put away long before the first frost of the season to avoid damages–and to avoid trying to do this tedious chore with winter gloves on!
Yet the hoses, usually made from woven cotton and rubber, can burn through when they are not charged with water, putting firefighters in grave danger.
Don't let water build up in the hose
Leaving water in the hose can cause problems with unwanted bacteria in the interior funnel of the hose. This can cause issues with degradation to the inner tube, so after every use, drain out all the excess water before putting the hose away.
Remember to disconnect your hose
The water inside the hose can rapidly freeze when the temperature drops below 32 degrees.
The risk of burns is greatest when water temperature is above 120 degrees. 150-degree water scalds in less than a second. 140-degree water scalds in just one second. It takes four minutes for 120-degree water to scald.
A hosepipe should therefore be held at an angle of less than 45 degrees to allow the water to cover as much horizontal distance as possible before the velocity of the water is too degraded.
We are often asked, "Do I need to take my hose reel inside for the winter, or is it okay to leave it out?" Doing either is fine, however, you still will want to drain all the water out of the hose reel.
Unfortunately, without proper precautions, freezing weather can quickly take a toll on your garden hose if you leave it outside during the winter. Excess water can freeze in the hose, causing it to split, burst, or weaken-meaning you'll likely need a replacement quickly.
These fires can reach temperatures over 1,500°F, making them extremely difficult to control with water alone, particularly with the limited flow of a garden hose.
UV rays from the sun affect the material over time, making the water hose more susceptible to cracks, bends, and fading. Using a hose reel or hanger is a wise investment to keep your water hose organized and protected.
A good garden hose should last five to 10 years with proper care, but you'll need to replace that hose a whole lot sooner if you don't maintain it the right way.
As it turns out, a garden hose left outside in the hot sun can contain superheated water.