I don’t know about you, but water dribbling from the end of my hose is one of the most frustrating parts of my gardening routine.
Look, I get it. At first, it was easy enough to cope with the pathetic flow. After all, it doesn’t take that much pressure to water some flowers or sprinkle your grass.
But when it comes time to wash your car or fill up a paddling pool, a measly flow is never going to be enough to get the job done right. At that point, you need to think about upping the pressure or upgrading to one of the best garden hoses out there.
That’s why today, we are going to show you how to increase the water pressure in your garden hose with a few tips we’ve picked up over the years. Best of all, most of them are absolutely free!
Related: Best Garden Hose Reel: Top Rated Options in [curentear]
Check your water supply and pressure regulator
Okay, now we are getting a little more technical. If you have noticed a pressure problem with multiple households taps, there could be an issue with your water supply.
Luckily, more than not it is a relatively simple one. Here are a few quicks checks and places to try before you call a plumber in:
- Your main water valve: Ordinarily, your water valve will be located under your primary sink. Check that it has been opened fully, as sometimes it can be only partially activated.
- Your water pressure regulator: Your water pressure regulator may be adjustable, meaning that you may be able to increase water flow yourself. Check your pressure rating (PSI) and whether there is room for you to alter it.
Although these can be done yourself, you may benefit from the expertise of a plumber. If you notice that either of these has been damaged, contact a plumber immediately.
How to improve water pressure in your garden hose
Of course, just because most people find that the common problems and fixes listed above solve their problems, that does not mean everyone does.
If you are in the unfortunate group that has a well-maintained hose, have thoroughly checked everything is connected correctly, and cannot for the life of you detect a blockage, then it is time to begin thinking about how you can get more out of whatever pressure you have.
There are plenty of boosters and accessories you can purchase to get more from your measly garden flow:
Increasing your hose’s internal diameter:
If you are connected correctly but are still suffering from pathetic water pressure, it may be worth investing in a new garden hose with more space inside.
Garden hoses are differentiated by styles and lengths, but many do not know that their inner diameter – that is, how much space it has inside for water to flow through – is a massive contributing factor in deciding the pressure of water it will deliver.
In short, the larger your hose’s internal diameter, the more powerful the flow you can expect from it. Commonly available garden hoses range anywhere from as small as 7/16 inches to as large as 3/4. If you feel your garden hose is too small, I’d consider upgrading to one that is slightly larger.
Quick pro tip: The average garden hose comes with a 5/8 or ½ inch inner diameter, which should be more than capable of delivering enough water flow to wash your car or garden furniture. Going any larger may result in water pressure too powerful for everyday garden tasks.
Installing a high-powered nozzle:
Another option for upping the pressure out of your garden hose is to purchase a high-powered nozzle for it. This will allow you an instant boost of pressure without having to deal with the challenges associated with adjusting or replacing aspects of your water mains.
This is also one of the easiest and cheapest methods of boosting pressure. A high-powered nozzle concentrates water flow into one single exit point, increasing the pressure dramatically when it is attached.
However, a quick warning from experience: this can be more pressure than you are bargaining for. A high-powered nozzle is great for cleaning garden furniture, but not so great for watering your prize petunias.
Connecting your garden hose to a water pump:
Finally, you could be looking for even more pressure than your garden hose could ever be reasonably expected to deliver. There are a few big jobs for which your regular lawn faucet just won’t be enough: for instance, pressure-washing your home or cleaning discoloured patios.
At this point, you may be interested in connecting your garden hose to a standalone water pump. This is ordinarily an external accessory between a water supply and your hose, which is capable of pumping as much as 37 litres of water a minute.
Yeah, I am hearing you: that sounds like a big job. But, fortunately, setting up the pump is easy:
Step 1
Buy your pump. Water pumps are widely available both online and in hardware stores and begin at as little as $20.
Step 2
To set it up, simply connect your garden hose to the device. Usually, this is done by simply screwing the hose into the pump unit.
Step 3
Then, connect the pump to a power source, turn it on, and enjoy up to 37 litres of water a minute!
What causes low water pressure?
Although there are plenty of accessories and attachments to boot your water pressure outside, you will be glad to learn that they’re usually not necessary.
Often, low pressure from your garden hose is the result of maladjustment or blockage somewhere through your water system which can be easily identified and fixed.
Here are a few of the most common issues and how to address them:
Demand for water
If you are noticing periods of low pressure matched with periods of adequate pressure, the cause could be nothing to do with your system at all!
If these periods of low pressure are regular, it could just be that you are attempting to draw from the water supply at peak times, when others are attempting to do the same.
If so, it may be worth waiting until later in the day to wash your windows.
Did you know? In primarily residential areas, the peak of water demand is ordinarily between 6:00 am and 9:00 am when consumers are showering, brushing their teeth, and preparing for the day ahead.
Could your garden faucet be blocked?
If your water pressure problem is not periodic, check to see if other faucets around your home are having a similar problem. If not, it could be that your garden tap has some sort of blockage diminishing the potential of your flow.
- If your tap is blocking full water pressure, there could be a few reasons for it:
- It could be the result of an internal check valve collapsing, or the spindle has seized up, restricting the flow to a mere dribble in the worst cases.
It could have become blocked with mud or sand, or damaged by the elements.
To fix this, we recommend simply replacing the garden faucet. New taps are relatively cheap, and the repair job is pretty easy to do. Just remember to turn off the water supply first!
In other words: if you aren’t so confident, get in contact with a plumber.
Leaks, twists, or wear?
Of course, it could just be that your garden hose is just the worse for wear. If it is bent, leaking, wearing, twisted, or kinked, this will naturally reduce water flow and thus reduce the pressure of water out the other end.
Alternatively, it could be that your hose is not maintaining a watertight connection to the garden faucet. Check to see if there are any leaks in between the two when you are trying to use it.
If you notice any of these issues, attempting some simple, duct-tape repairs may be enough to bring your water pressure from zero to hero. If not, we recommend simply purchasing a new garden hose.
Quick pro tip: Caring for your garden hose is the best way to prevent problems and to maximise water efficiency in the future. Make sure to coil it up after use – don’t just leave it sitting in a pile to twist, bend, and kink. Finally, consider storing it indoors and away from the elements – particularly during especially hot or cold days.
Conclusion
Whether it’s a bent hose or a dodgy nozzle, we hope you have found a bit of inspiration on how to increase water pressure in a garden hose!
With these tips in mind, your regular old garden hose can do everything from water your flower patch to pressure wash your home – all in a fast, easy manner that does not have to break the bank.
