Connecting Garden Hoses

Can garden hoses be connected? How simple is it? And what if I need to really stretch the hose - is that okay? Each of these questions is entirely reasonable, and luckily for you, we're about to answer them! We scraped all of the most commonly asked questions related to coupling garden hoses and collected them in one neat little spot just for you

So what's on the docket today?

Today's Topics Include:

• Can garden hoses be connected?
• Can you connect two flexible hoses together?
• What do I need to connect two garden hoses together?
• Can you join hose pipes together?
• How do you connect a hose to a hose?
• How far can you run a garden hose?

Now let's get going!

Connected Garden Hoses: Fact or Myth?

First things first, we need to start with the basics. Can garden hoses be connected? The answer may shock you!!! Okay, I'm kidding, but it's a good question!

Can Garden Hoses Be Connected?

Garden hoses can be connected, and it's actually a surprisingly simple process!

While you won't be able to connect two garden hoses without additional materials, you can find all sorts of adaptors out there, along with specialised couplers that are designed for this exact purpose.

There are also a few caveats:

• You need to have the right connectors (i.e. male and female for their respective hoses)
• Makeshift connections (like tape) will not work .
• Both hoses need to have the same diameter (i.e. 3/4" or 5/8" diameters) as it's hard to find adaptors for two different diameters.

But that's about it! Not only can garden hoses be connected, but it's quite easy and takes a matter of ~15 seconds with the right parts.

Can You Connect Two Flexible Hoses Together?

Just as with regular hoses, you can easily connect two flexible hoses together.

The same caveats apply here, though, in that they need to be the same diameter, have opposite (male and female) connectors, and must be done with the proper adaptor (not tape or zip ties).

What Do I Need to Connect Two Garden Hoses Together?

To connect two garden hoses together, all you need is a garden hose connector, a knife, and a (Philip's head) screwdriver. Once you've acquired all of that, do the following steps to connect your garden hoses together:

1. Cut the end of your hoses you're connecting with a knife or shears. Aim roughly 1-2 inches below the connector.
2. Push the barbed rod into the hose end until it's level with your connector. This will likely take a bit of elbow grease.
3. Fit the crimp ring (usually plastic) around the end of your first host and join the two halves with screws.
4. Tighten the screws, and you'll have a leak-free hose that was, at one point, two hoses .

It's worth noting that you can do almost this exact same process, but with a coupler. Couplers also have the barbed spike and crimp ring, though they generally take two crimp rings.

The only difference between a coupler and a connector is that a coupler needs to go on two hoses of the same diameter, whereas a connector can (sometimes) go on different diameter hoses.

Can You Join Hose Pipes Together?

As we've discussed a few times before, you can absolutely join two hose pipes together. Keep in mind that we're talking about garden hoses here, and not actual plumbing for your home - don't try to join two water lines unless you're a trained and certified plumber.

How Do You Connect a Hose to a Hose?

You connect a hose to a hose by using a garden hose coupler or connector. While these devices won't work for other types of hoses (for example, those that run fuel or gases), they're excellent and time-proven for garden hoses. They make it incredibly simple to get as far as needed with a hose and cut out all of that pesky moving of the hose.

How Far Can You Run a Garden Hose?

This is one of those weird questions you get on Google occasionally that make you go "but... isn't that in the name?"

In general, you can run a garden hose as far as it is long. While hoses are made of rubber and/or latex, they're not meant to stretch - they're designed to flex as water passes through. Many hoses range between 25-100 feet in length (usually in 20/25-foot increments), and can stretch between 25-100 feet when unobstructed.

It is worth noting that the farther your hose stretches from its water supply, the less pressure you'll get. This means that if you're trying to do anything that requires consistent pressure, you'll want to keep the tap no farther than 50 feet away, preferably closer.

The only factors other than the distance that affect how well your hose will perform when stretched are elevation and your home's water pressure. If going uphill, you'll lose some water pressure, and if you already have a very low base pressure, it'll become more of a drip than a stream.

Conclusion

Connecting two garden hoses is not only entirely possible but quite simple! The parts to do so generally cost less than a cup of coffee and take seconds to install. Seriously - you can connect two hoses (with some caveats) within a matter of seconds. And if you're trying to stretch you hose, just keep in mind that length, diameter, elevation, and base pressure will inform how well it performs more than anything else.