Expandable Hose Care, Season by Season

Expandable hoses such as the Pocket Hose Copper solve the two biggest garden-hose annoyances: weight and kinks. Turn on the water and the hose stretches out; turn it off and it shrinks back to a size you can hang on a hook. The trade-off is a more delicate inner tube, so a little routine care goes a long way.

Here's a simple care plan organized by season.

Spring: inspect before the first water

Unroll the hose and look along the outer fabric for fraying, cuts or worn spots.
Check the rubber washer inside each connector. If it's flattened, cracked or missing, replace it — it's the most common cause of drips at the spigot.
Thread connectors on by hand. Tools can overtighten and damage the washer.
Turn the water on slowly the first time and watch for even expansion along the full length.

Summer: beat the heat

Sun and heat are the main enemies of the stretchy inner tube.

Drain after every use. Shut off the spigot, then open the nozzle to release pressure and empty the hose so it can contract fully.
Store it in the shade. A hook on a shaded wall or a covered bin is ideal; a sunny driveway is not.
Don't leave it pressurized. Closing the nozzle while the spigot stays on keeps the hose fully stretched for hours.
Mind your water pressure. If your home pressure is high, an inline regulator can help protect the hose.

Pressure, sun and frost cause most early failures — and all three are easy to avoid.

Fall: clean and tidy up

Hard water can leave mineral buildup in spray nozzles. Soak the nozzle in equal parts warm water and white vinegar for about 30 minutes, then rinse. Wipe the copper or brass fittings clean; a natural patina on copper is normal and won't affect the seal.

Winter: bring it inside

Water left inside an expandable hose can freeze and split the inner tube. Before the first cold snap, drain it completely, let it dry and store it indoors in a garage, shed or closet. Disconnect it from the outdoor spigot as well.