Watering a garden during the warm summer months with a garden hose is most rewarding for many homeowners. Often this hose has to lie over the driveway to reach the different corners of the garden. Can you drive over the garden hose?
You cannot drive over a garden hose because it will damage the hose causing cracks or leaks. If there is water flowing through the hose when you drive over it, the pressure may cause it to burst. Invest in a protective sleeve or ramp to prevent damaging the hose.
Choosing the right garden hose and protecting the hose from the weather and other elements is essential for optimal use and longevity. Read on for how to protect your hose from vehicle traffic and ways to store the hose after use.
Can you drive over a garden hose?
Most garden hoses are made from extruded synthetic rubber, or soft plastic, often reinforced with an internal web of fibers. The average pressure from a home faucet passes through the hose at about 40 to 60 PSI, and the average pressure at which these hoses burst is 200 to 500 PSI.
Garden hoses are manufactured to withstand this amount of pressure and are strong and durable, so you can drive over a garden hose.
Can you drive over a stainless steel hose?
You can drive over a stainless steel hose because it can withstand the weight of a vehicle and will not burst or flatten. This is because it has high burst pressure and durability.
A stainless steel garden hose is thinner and denser than rubber hoses. This hose is compact, lightweight, durable, weather-resistant, and cannot puncture.
Stainless steel hoses comprise an inner tube of rubber, PVC, or polyurethane and an outer tube made of 201 or 304-grade stainless steel. Although these hoses are less likely to rupture, they are available with 200–600 PSI burst pressure rates.
Can you drive over a rubber hose?
You can drive over a rubber hose because it can withstand the weight of a vehicle. It is tough when reinforced with polyester or nylon cord and has a burst pressure up to 450 PSI.
These hoses are less likely to kink or tangle, split, crack or burst, weather-resistant, and are long lasting. Although rubber garden hoses are heavy, they are still flexible.
What happens if you run over a hose?
Driving over a garden hose with your car will not do much harm, but a continual amount of abuse from car tires will cause some damage. The hose will become worn, it may even flatten, and the vehicle’s weight could cause the hose to break. If water passes through the hose at tire contact, the hose could burst.
How do I protect my water hose from my driveway?
You can take various protective measures to prevent cars from driving over your garden hose. These are:
1. Use A Garden Hose That Cars Can Run Over
Garden hoses are made from various materials, and the strongest are rubber and stainless steel hoses. However, all garden hoses can be run over by cars, but over time, it will cause damage to these hoses. The best option to prevent cars from running over the hose would be to use other preventative measures.
2. Drive Over Garden Hose Protector
A drive over hose protector is made of industrial-grade rubber and PVC, which is durable and sturdy, and some are heavy duty and can withstand vehicles with a capacity of 18000LBS. This protector acts as a barrier when the car drives over the hose.
3. Use A Metal, Plastic, Wood Ramp
When your garden hose is lying across the driveway, using ramps to avoid driving directly over the hose is a good preventative measure. These ramps are available in different materials:
- Metal Ramp – this ramp is durable aluminum tread plate thickness of 3/8″ and can be removed and stored until needed.
- Plastic Ramp – these ramps are constructed from durable compound plastic material or strong polypropylene. These heavy-duty ramps are lightweight, easy to move around, and strong enough to support a standard vehicle driving over them.
- Wood Ramp – Making a wooden ramp for your garden hose is an easy DIY project. Place a piece of 2 x 4″ wood along the width of your driveway. Mount the garden hose onto the wood with some masking tape and lay it across the driveway. This ramp will prevent the vehicle from pinching the garden hose when driving over it.
4. Use A Spring Guard
Spring guards are coil springs constructed of steel wire and fit over the garden hose. These guards protect the hose from abrasion and deep cuts. Spring guards are available in different sizes, slightly larger than the outer diameter of the hose.
5. Get Yourself A Protective Sleeve
Protective sleeves are material tubes usually made from nylon or polyester that slide over the garden hose. It is purchased in long lengths that can be cut to size and allows the hose to move freely inside the sleeve. This sleeve protects the hose against burst and leakage, is UV solar protected, and can withstand temperatures of -40° to 125°C.
6. Store The Hose Away After Use
Store your garden hose away after use to protect it from weather conditions and other damages. There are many ways to store a garden hose:
A Hose Reel
A hose reel is one of the best mechanisms for storing a garden hose, as it is quick and easy to roll and prevents kinks and tangles. Here are a few different types of hose reels to choose from:
- Retractable hose reels – the hose is housed inside the reel, and when the lock is released, a steel spring retracts and releases the hose with no kinking or tangling. The reel can be mounted onto a structure.
- Mounted reels – these reels are mounted to a structure and cannot be moved around, so the garden hose might not reach every corner of your garden. Roll the hose over the reel.
- Hose reel cart – this reel is mounted to a cart with wheels and can be moved around the garden and stored elsewhere when not in use.
A Hose Hanger
Hangers are usually made of durable plastic and come with a mount so you can attach the hanger to a wall. Modern hangers are available in different materials with various colors, shapes, and designs. Wind the hose up and place it on the hanger.
Store In A Hose Pot
Hose Pots come with a lid and are decorative and pleasing to the eye. After use, disconnect the hose from the spigot and loosely roll it up, place it in the pot, and close the lid. The hose is protected from the elements, and the pot can be placed anywhere in the garden as an attractive feature.
Fact Checked, Written, and Published by
Kevin Rodrigues
Kevin is the founder of Gardening Mentor, a website that aims to teach people to grow their own food in a limited space. As a self-taught gardener, Kevin has spent several years growing plants and creating gardening content on the website. He is certified in Home Horticulture and Organic Gardening from Oregon State University. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening from Mumbai University.
Read bio