Hoses can be used for a lot more applications than simply watering plants or washing the car. In fact, many types of hoses are not for household use at all. There are several hose products on the market, each of which has its own special use. They include: a braided hose, hydraulic hose, pressure hose, hose coupling, and a hose reel.
A braided hose differs from the typical household garden hose in that it is reinforced with strong materials. Garden hoses are usually made of rubber. A braided hose usually features stainless steel or nylon wrapped around the outside so that it can withstand higher pressure than a garden hose can.
The hydraulic hose usually can be found connected to a hydraulic pump on heavy equipment. Such hoses are built to withstand high temperatures and high pressure, and are usually made out of several layers of thick rubber and wire. A hydraulic hose is typically required to have a tough exterior, and is usually outfitted with steel on the end. Typically the majority of homeowners do not often need hose products like this one.
To clean up major messes outside, a pressure hose is usually one of the best hose products to use. This type of hose is meant to withstand high pressure, typically up to 5,000 PSI, though each brand varies. A pressure-wash hose is also resistant to most detergents, which is helpful when cleaning up driveways, sidewalks, construction areas, and more. Reading the manual that comes with it can be crucial to find out exactly how much pressure the hose can take.
A hose coupling can come in handy when one hose is not long enough to do a job. Rather than buying a longer hose, which is typically more expensive, users can attach two shorter hoses together. Hose couplings can be made out of steel, aluminum, brass, or other durable metals, and they come in many styles. The typical coupling needed to connect two hoses can be found at most hardware stores, usually near other common hose products.
An often forgotten but quite useful accessory is a hose reel. It is a round spindle that can store most hoses neatly, and can either stay at a fixed location or be stored in a vehicle. Typically many homeowners keep their garden hose reel at the side of the house, though hoses used for industrial purposes might be better off with a reel that stays in a work truck. Like many other hose products, hose reels vary in style and construction as they can be cranked by hand, are motorized, or are retractable.
