Help & Advice

Complete guide to hose pipe storage

Maximise the Life of Your Hose pipe with Our Complete Storage Guide

A garden hose is one of the most important tools you can use to care for your garden, so maintaining it and looking after it as best you can is always advised. Hosepipe storage is a crucial component of this.

Proper hose pipe storage, such as garden hose reels, can prolong your garden hose's life and protect it from any damage during the hot summer or freezing winter months.

If your hose pipe is damaged due to improper storage, it can become challenging to water your plants, and you may need to replace it sooner than planned. These considerations make it all the more important to choose the best when it comes to garden hose storage.

This complete guide to hose pipe storage will take you through the various methods of how to store your garden hoses and give detail into what kinds of storage options are available. We'll also share some seasonal advice and aim to answer any other general questions about garden hose storage! Read on for more.

How do you store outdoor hoses?

The best outdoor hose storage will protect it from the sun and temperature while keeping it neat and tidy. A jumbled, knotted-up hose pipe will lead to damage like splitting and kinking. You should, wherever possible, tidy your garden hose away after use and avoid leaving it outside in a tangled mess in direct sunlight. The sun’s rays are responsible for any cracks or ruptures you may notice on old hose pipe exteriors. If there is any water left in the tube, it could heat up in the summer or freeze in the winter, and cause damage.

While leaks can be repaired, they are frustrating to deal with. If you are continually dealing with and repairing leaks, the problem may lie within your garden hose storage.

How to drain and coil for outdoor hose storage

Properly draining and coiling up your garden hose is an essential step, especially if storing it outside. A garden hose can become damaged if left in a haphazard bundle and not put away properly. Coiling your hose pipe should achieve two goals before being stored: draining all remaining water, and protecting the material from kinking by neatly and securely winding it together.

Follow these steps to correctly drain and coil your hose before storing it outside:

Remove the nozzle from the hose and release any excess water from inside.
Disconnect the hose from the water source and remove any hose end fittings.
Start to drain by raising one end of the hose and then walking its length while keeping the section you are holding elevated.
When you reach the other end, keep the mouth of the hose held up high until all the water has drained.
Once the hose is drained, begin coiling by lying it on the ground and looping it clockwise while twisting the hose in your hand. This should lay it down in a perfect circle.
Aim to coil your hose about two to three feet in diameter, and try to coil while the weather is warm and the tubing is most flexible.
Finally, make sure to screw on a hose cap so that bugs are kept out.

If coiling the hose pipe by hand is too difficult, garden hose reels can safely and loosely coil up your hose. Read more on our guide, How to Set up and Install a Hose Reel, for tips on how to set up a hose reel and how to best coil your hose onto it.

Hosepipe storage tips for the winter

Preparing your garden hose for storage in the winter is an important task to complete each year to avoid any expensive plumbing repairs. Even if your water source is shut off, freezing and damage can still occur in the hose tube and in the nozzle.

Winter hose pipe storage ideas mainly revolve around avoiding exposure and properly draining the hose. Bring your hose inside a garage or shed, and wrap it for extra protection from the cold. Since it may not be used for a while, try to hang it on a rounded surface like a garden hose reel or a hose hanger so that it retains its natural shape. Hanging it on a nail for the winter will cause major damage and ruin the hose material.

Another big winter tip for garden hose storage is to remove all attachments before you put the hose away. Disconnect the hose end fittings and take off the hose nozzle. These can retain water and become damaged if trapped water freezes. It may also be a good idea to invest in hose caps or fittings. Insects may be drawn to your hose over the winter, crawl in, and burrow into the lining, causing holes and leaks. Seal your hose over the winter to maintain a healthy and bug-free pipe for the spring.

Read more in our guide to Preparing Irrigation Systems for Winter to make sure you and your garden are all set for the cold.

Hosepipe storage for the summer

The number one rule for garden hose storage over the summer is to avoid direct sunlight. A hose left in the sun can be sure to crack, split, kink, and provide an overall disrupted water flow. This kind of damage occurs when water in the hose heats up and evaporates, ruining the rubber tubing.

Make sure you hide your hose from the sun with hose pipe storage with some form of covering to shade the hose, or store your hose in a shaded place like a shed. If you use a hose storage pot, make sure it either has a lid or is placed out of the sun's direct reach.

You can purchase hose reels with fully enclosed designs to shield your hose from harmful UV rays. The Hozelock Compact Reel can fit up to 25 metres of hose and can be either freestanding or wall-mounted.

Long term garden hose storage

If you plan on hibernating your hose for a while, it must be stored safely and protectively. The best way to prepare your garden hose for long term storage is to disconnect it from the garden tap and pull it all the way out. Check for and remove any strange twists or kinks and ensure it is completely drained of all water. It's essential to check for these issues beforehand since they can worsen if ignored for a long time. Long term storage should be inside a shed or in a place hidden from sunlight and rough weather conditions.

The best hose pipe storage ideas

When you're considering the best hosepipe storage for your needs, your budget will certainly come into consideration. However, you may want to consider other factors such as accessibility, aesthetics, function, and the length of your hose.

Hose reels

A hose reel is one of the most common ways to store a hose pipe. This type of hose storage is best for functionality and ease of use. It keeps you from the tedious task of coiling up the hose yourself, done manually with a hand crank or automatically with a retractable reel. Automatic or retractable reels are typically a bit more pricey, but they can be worth the extra cost depending on your abilities and hand strength.

Manual hose reel options

Manual garden hose reels can perfectly coil up your hose and store it safely at the same time. The handle at the side makes it an easy, no-fuss task to reel it in or out.

These reels can be mounted to an external wall or sheltered inside of a cabinet or hideaway box. However, a hose reel cart may be an ideal solution if your garden is large and requires the hose to be moved around. Metal hose reels are a heavy-duty option. They are built to withstand the outdoor elements and have large wheels to steadily manoeuvre your hose through any garden terrain.

Retractable hose reels

This storage option is best for those with mobility issues or limited strength. Retractable reels eliminate the need to stoop down, detangle, or crank any handle. The hose reels automatically rewind the hose and store it in a compact and safe case that can be mounted to a wall. The Hozelock Auto Reel allows for effortless winding and can be paused at any point to water if needed. The auto-reel is activated by a light tug on the hose.

Hosepipe holders or hangers

Hosepipe holders, hangers, or stands can be used in a functional way and as an ornate garden decoration. Depending on the aesthetic you are looking for, you may choose something eye-catching and unique. The main feature required is a round surface for the hose pipe to hang on. This way, the hose weight will be spread neatly and evenly so that no kinks, bends, or tangles occur.

Hose hangers can be wall-mounted and attached to the side of a wall. If you choose a metal hose stand instead to store your hose pipe, these can be set up anywhere. Many come with prongs that can be implanted into the ground wherever you want. Remember to place any hose storage in a completely shaded position from direct sunlight.

Hose Storage Pot

Hose storage pots are a simple way to hide and store away your garden hoses. They can be minimalist or decorative, depending on preference. A hose pot's design can be functional, quirky, vintage, or camouflaged. However, like with the hose pipe holders, this storage does require the hose to be coiled by hand before being stored away. Garden hoses left twisted in a storage pot can become severely damaged.

Hose pots are a functional storage solution that doubles as a garden feature, like a decorative copper hose pot. But they may not be the best option for gardeners with mobility issues, ones with very long hoses, or those who struggle to coil a garden hose alone.

How do you store a large hose?

Large hoses can be a hassle, especially when it comes to storing. Nevertheless, they need to be stored properly or they can be damaged much more easily than a shorter hose. Long garden hoses, if left lying around the garden or house, can be easily run over by your car or a lawnmower. There may be a higher chance of being punctured or ruined if stored haphazardly with your other garden tools.

So how do you store a large hose? A simple choice would be a jumbo hose reel. These can neatly store away substantially sized garden hoses up to 160 metres. A hose reel will also keep you from struggling to de-tangle or coil up an extra-long hose yourself.

How to store an expandable hose

An expandable hose is made to grow in length when in use and shrink back down afterwards. They are lightweight and can be big space savers compared to traditional hoses. However, they cannot be stored in the same ways. For example, expandable hoses cannot be cranked in on a hose reel and can become stretched out if wrapped around a reel or hose holder. 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.

Creative ways to store your garden hose

You can also get creative and DIY your hose pipe storage. Create your own hose holders and hangers by nailing a galvanizer pail or a vintage tire rim to a post. You can repurpose and up-cycle copper drums, washtubs, or even tires to make your own hose pot.

If doing it yourself is not an option, other creative and attractive ways exist to store your garden hose. You can purchase decorative hose wheels with shelves, ornate hose holders, or an outdoor storage bench to utilise as a hiding spot and lovely garden seat.

There are so many options when it comes to finding the perfect hose pipe storage solution for your garden. Explore our full range of garden hose reels, heavy-duty hose reels, and garden hose pipes to find the best for your garden. Please don't hesitate to contact us, and visit our help and advice page for any other questions.