Garden Hose 101: Water Pressure

If you're trying to figure out your hose and its ideal water pressure, you're in the right place. Questions like what size garden hose has more pressure, and which size of hose is best are hard to figure out. We've collected the most commonly asked questions on the web in relation to hoses and water pressure - all for you.

So what's on the docket today?

Today's Topics Include :

1. How much does it cost to run a garden hose for 1 hour?
2. How many gallons of water does a garden hose put out per hour?
3. What is the average PSI of a garden hose?
4. How many GPM is a garden hose sprayer?
5. How many gallons per minute is a garden hose?
6. How much PSI can a garden hose take?
7. Can a garden hose be under constant pressure?
8. What is the PSI of a garden hose nozzle?
9. What is better, a 5/8" or 1/2" hose?
10. What's the difference between a 5/8" and a 3/4" garden hose?
11. Does a large diameter hose increase water pressure?
12. Does a smaller garden hose increase water pressure?
13. Why does my garden hose have low pressure?
14. What size garden hose has more pressure?
15. How can I get more pressure from my garden hose?
16. Do you lose pressure with a longer garden hose?
17. How much pressure can a garden hose take?

Wow! That was a mouthful - now let's get right into things.

Garden Hoses & Water Pressure

Let's not waste any time and just get going, yeah? There's a lot of ground to cover today, so buckle in and skip on down if you see your question up above.

How Much Does it Cost to Run a Garden Hose for One Hour?

This is one of those questions that's hard to answer without knowing how much you pay for water, but I can give you a basic idea of "standard" usage for a garden hose. The amount of water used will depend on the size of your hose, as listed below:

• 1/2 Inch Hose: 630 gallons of water per hour (2,384 Litres)
• 5/8 Inch Hose: 1,020 gallons of water per hour (3,861 Litres)
• 3/4 Inch Hose:1,860 gallons of water per hour (7,040 Litres)

All in all, while it will depend on the size of your hose, if you run a 1/2 inch hose for one hour, you'll use 2,384 litres of water. In the UK (according to United Utilities) the average cost of water is measured by the square metre, rather than by the litre or gallon.

One square metre of water is equal to 1,000 litres and costs £3.08 (including both water and wastewater). This means that on average, this is the cost associated with each hose:

• 1/2 Inch Hose: £7.34 per hour of use
• 5/8 Inch Hose: £11.89 per hour of use
• 3/4 Inch Hose: £21.68 per hour of use

How Many Gallons of Water Does a Garden Hose Put Out Per Hour

We answered this above, but in case you missed it, the list below depicts how many gallons of water per hour are used by different sizes of hose:

• 1/2 Inch Hose: 630 gallons of water per hour (2,384 Litres)
• 5/8 Inch Hose: 1,020 gallons of water per hour (3,861 Litres)
• 3/4 Inch Hose:1,860 gallons of water per hour (7,040 Litres)

What is the Average PSI of a Garden Hose?

The average PSI of a garden hose ranges based on the size of the hose, but the average is between 40-60 PSI, occasionally reaching as high as 80 PSI.

How Many GPM is a Garden Hose Sprayer?

Again, this varies by the size of your hose. However, on average, most garden hose sprayers reach between 2.5-5 gallons per minute (GPM).

How Many Gallons Per Minute is a Garden Hose?

This varies based on the length of the hose; the longer the hose, the more the GPM drops.

But the average rate is as follows:

• A 25-foot, 1/2-inch hose with a 40 PSI supply rate has a flow rate of 24 GPM.
• A 100-foot, 1/2-inch hose with a 40 PSI supply rate has a flow rate of 6 GPM.

While this will absolutely vary based on the length and PSI supply of your hose, a good rule of thumb is that every 25 feet of a 1/2-inch hose lose 6 GPM.

How Much PSI Can a Garden Hose Take?

While your mileage will vary depending on how well-made your hose is, there is a general rule you can follow:

Low-quality hoses are generally safe up to 200 PSI, while high-quality hoses can get up to three times that high-pressured, up to 600 PSI.

What is the Average Flow Rate of a Garden Hose?

Once again, this will vary on your hose. However, most hoses sit around 9 GPM, give or take 3 GPM depending on its size and length.

Can a Garden Hose Be Under Constant Pressure?

No - your garden hose cannot safely be under constant pressure. Not only are they not designed for it, but most of them are made to be used an hour or two at a time. Constant use and pressure will wear down your hose, cause it to fail and break, and lead to all sorts of issues.

It's best practise to only use your hose when needed, turn it off when finished, and use higher-rated hoses for high-pressure jobs.

What is the PSI of a Garden Hose Nozzle?

While this will vary based on the specific nozzle you have, most garden hose nozzles sit between 200-400 PSI before bursting. It's important to note that most sit on the lower end of that spectrum.

What is Better: A 5/8" or 1/2" hose?

What's best for you will depend on your needs.

The smaller hoses get, the more pressure you get and the less water they put out in the same given period. If you need more water pressure, a 1/2" hose will likely serve you better, whereas if you need volume of water, a 1/2" hose will be best.

Don't forget to factor in length - longer isn't always better, and often just gets in the way.

What's the Difference Between a 5/8" and a 3/4" Garden Hose?

The difference between a 5/8" and a 3/4" garden hose is size - the former is smaller, the latter is larger. The bigger diameter hose you get, the lower the water pressure and the more water it can deliver in the same given time (one hour, for example).

Does a Large Diameter Hose Increase Water Pressure?

No - a large diameter hose decreases water pressure andincreases volume.

Think of a straw. When sucking stuff through a small straw (like a cocktail straw), you can suck harder , but you get less. And when using a boba straw, you can suck more up , but have less power when doing so.

The same process applies to hoses - the wider the diameter, the lower the PSI and the higher the GPM delivered.

Does a Smaller Garden Hose Increase Water Pressure?

Yes - as mentioned above, the smaller your hose's diameter, the more pressure you get and the less volume/GPM is delivered.

Why Does My Garden Hose Have Low Pressure

There are a few potential causes. If it's an ongoing issue, the most likely cause is that you need a smaller diameter hose to provide more PSI. If, however, it's new, here's what to look for:

• Leaks: Inspect your hose for leaks. These are the most common cause of a sudden loss of pressure.
• Clogged Lines: Inspect your spigot and (where possible) the water supply pipes. Inspect them for obvious damage or corrosion, and if you find them, call a plumber.
• Spigot: If all else fails, you can replace your spigot. Occasionally, the threading and/or gasket(s) on your spigot will fail, resulting in a loss of water pressure.
• Check Your Water Pressure Regulator: Most homes have a regulator near their water meter. If you do, you can always simply turn up the water pressure by tightening a screw.

What Size Garden Hose Has More Pressure?

If you need high pressure in your hose, opt for the smallest available diameter. A 1/2" hose will provide much higher pressure than a 5/8", and so on.

How Can I Get More Pressure From My Garden Hose?

Use a wrench or screwdriver (it'll vary based on your provider) to tighten the pressure reduction valve (PRD) on your water supply - they're generally right next to your water meter. Turning the bolt/screw right (clockwise) will turn up the pressure, and turning it left (counterclockwise) will turn the pressuredown .

Do You Lose Pressure With a Longer Garden Hose?

Yes, you lose pressure with a longer garden hose. Take a peek at the "how many GPM" subsection up above for more details.

How Much Pressure Can a Garden Hose Take?

As mentioned above, a garden hose can take between 200-400 PSI (13.78-27.57 Bar) on average, though most standard hoses are in the lower range listed. Always inspect your hose's limits before trying to run high-pressure water through it - just trust me.

Conclusion

All in all, garden hoses and water pressure are pretty easy to understand. Just remember that smaller diameters deliver higher pressure and lower GPM (volume), and that you'll lose pressure and volume with longer hoses. And if you need to crank up the pressure, all you need is a wrench and to find the PRD near your water meter.

Now sit back, make a drink, and enjoy the day - you've earned it.