A garden hose reel may be one of the items that you have overlooked buying for your lawns and gardens. This garden tool is actually very beneficial and can prolong the life of your hose significantly while bringing organization to your garden area.
Choosing a Reel
There are two main types of reels to choose from: A manual garden hose reel that you wind the hose around manually and an automatic reel that uses a winding handle to wrap the hose around the reel. It is much simpler when you have a winding handle because the reel will be tightly wound and the hose will be in uniform circles. When you roll the hose manually you will be the one who is making the circle lengths so they may not be as uniform as you like without a lot of effort.
The length of your hose is also important to consider when buying a garden hose reel since the reel is made to accommodate specific lengths. You can check the size of the reel before purchasing or you can simply buy a new hose. If you have a shorter garden hose then it might be a good idea to purchase a longer one along with your reel for easier watering of your lawns and garden, as well.
Types of Reels
When choosing a garden hose reel you will want to choose the right type of reel to suit your region. Stainless steel reels are the best option because they are rust-resistant and durable but aluminum and other metals may also work well for you depending on your regional weather. For instance, if you live in a more humid climate then metals that are prone to rust may not be a good idea. There are also many ornamental and simple styles to choose from.
An ornamental style garden hose reel is just as functional as simpler types but can be purchased in many different styles including antiqued finishes, scrolled metal, and even animal images are available to choose from. If you have a specific style in your lawn and garden area then you can easily find the right option to fit into your style. A simple, non-ornamental hose reel is also an option if you simple want function and don’t care about style.
Installation
The installation of your garden hose reel is typically very simple. The reel usually attaches to the side of a wall using screws unless you have chosen a free standing reel. Free standing garden hose reels require no installation and can often have wheels that you can use to put the hose away during the winter months of the year. Other reels do need to be attached to the home or a garden shed to work properly.
The garden hose reel can easily be attached to the wall using a drill in just a few moments. You may want to make sure you have installed the reel into the studs of a wall to ensure the reel is secure.
