We’ve all been there — those long winter days when we’re itching for spring and can’t wait to get outside planting and gardening. But if you live in a climate where winters are cold and rainy, keeping hoses from freezing and bursting can be a real challenge. Here’s how to store garden hoses in winter so they’ll last through it.
If you’re a gardener for a longer period, you undoubtedly thrive to keep your tools and equipment in good condition. However, certain things are indeed very simple to overlook and forget. For example, you might not think much about maintaining your water hose, but it might suffer major damage if left outside in the cold weather all winter. While this is wonderful news for garden hose manufacturers in the spring, it is poor news for forgetful gardeners.
So, for you to experience the poor news of a broken hose or even a pipe, we got you covered with a guide on how to store garden hoses in winter and some easy hose storage ideas. With our help, you won’t have any problems when spring comes. Let’s dive into the topic of how to store garden hoses in winter!
Why Should You Store Garden Hoses in Winter
Whether you live in a place with mild winters or ones that have lots of rain, you should always store garden hoses inside. The reason why is simple: the hose can easily freeze up if you allow it to run outside. The water in your hose is just like water in a glass. When the temperature gets cold, it begins to solidify.
In other words, it gets solid and expands, damaging the hose because the volume is getting bigger than the hose capacity. If you run your hose without storing it inside, it can easily burst and damage the hose. The temperature at which a garden hose freezes is below 32°F or (0℃). So, if you don’t drain your hose, one freezing night is enough to damage it.
How to Store Garden Hoses in Winter
The easiest way to think of this is, that if there is water inside the hose, during freezing times it will expand and make holes in the hose. So, we need to avoid cold temperatures and water around or inside the hose when storing it. To help you, here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
Step 1
Remove the hose from the water spigot.
Step 2
Keep the hose string and remove any wrinkles for the water to flow out of the hose.
Step 3
Drain out the water from the hose. Remove all the attachments from it.
Step 4
Store the hose in a circular shape, preventing any wrinkles to occur when doing this. Keep the circles wider.
Step 5
Store the hose in a warmer place and keep it without any wrinkles while it’s in storage.
There you have it, step by step guide on how to store your garden hose.
5 Easy Storage Ideas For Hoses During Winter
There are several places you can store your hose during winter. Always remember that the place is warm. Here we will provide you with 5 storage ideas for your hose.
- Store it upright in your garage, and keep it well isolated within a plastic bag with some towels.
- Hang it up in your basement or attic, wherever it’s warmer.
- Lay it flat in your closet, this one is simple and straightforward.
- Store them under your bed in some cardboard boxes or plastic bags.
- Put it in a cupboard or wardrobe, put it in a plastic box, or just clean it and store it directly.
Final Thoughts On How To Store Garden Hoses In Winter
In conclusion, during winter times it’s essential to keep your garden hose in a warm place and well stored. We described the process of storing and gave you some ideas on where you should store your garden hose. Remember to store the hose drained out of the water and without any wrinkles, also remember to winterize your hose bib to prevent further damage. As always, thank you for reading and we hope you got some insight on how to store garden hoses in winter.