Crush-resistant water hoses are often used in industrial settings, such as construction sites. But a crush resistant hose can also make sense for homeowners who plan to use a hose on or near a driveway, road, or walkway.
Crush-resistant hoses have metal fittings (couplings) that are designed to maintain their structural integrity, even after being run over by heavy vehicles and/or machinery. The hose material itself is often reinforced with braiding, or other material, to help it maintain shape under pressure. Most heavy-duty crush resistant hoses can withstand weight even from certain types of heavy machinery.
But it is important to understand, not all hoses labeled as “crush resistant” will be able to take on the weight of heavy machinery. Not all crush resistant hoses are built the same, and therefore, some are stronger than others.
Some crush-resistant hoses just make the fittings crush resistant, while other crush-resistant hoses are designed to be end-to-end crush resistant. In this article let’s take a closer look at crush-resistant hoses so you can determine whether you want to give one a try.
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Does The Typical Homeowner Need A Crush Resistant Hose?
It is unlikely that the average homeowner would really need a crush-resistant water hose. Of course, there are exceptions, but if you just plan to use your water hose around the yard (and it’s not going to be ran over) a standard water hose should work just fine.
The good news is many types of affordable water hoses have crush-resistant properties, so there’s a reasonable chance the hose you choose may be crush resistant anyway. But, yes, expect premium heavy duty hoses to be much more expensive, so just make sure you really need it before you buy it.
What Makes Hoses Crush Resistant?
A crush resistant hose is designed to maintain its structure integrity even when exposed to outside force. Some crush-resistant hoses will just have crush-resistant fittings, while other types of heavy duty hoses will be end-to-end crush resistant. Crush-resistant fittings are usually made of stainless steel or brass, which are metals strong enough to handle significant weight.
No, these hoses won’t be able to hold off endless amounts of weight. Eventually, everything crushes. But most crush resistant hoses are able to maintain their structural integrity even if they are ran over by a car tire or buried several feet below ground. Some of the heavy duty hoses built for construction can even withstand force from machinery.
Most crush-resistant hoses are made from synthetic rubbers such as Polyethylene or Chlorobutyl with a Monofilament helix reinforcement on the inside. The strength of these materials allows the hose to rebound to its original shape.
As we discussed above, the amount of weight a crush-resistant hose can take will vary hose to hose.
Is the Hose Crush Resistant or Just the Metal Fitting?
In the case of most crush resistant water hoses, only the fittings are truly crush resistant. However, in the industrial setting where contact with heavy cargo is most likely to occur, many companies will use heavy duty hoses where the hose material itself is reinforced with, for example, a heavy-duty radial braid that gives the hose extra strength.
Typically, these types of hoses can be run over by heavy machinery and not rupture or break (obviously, there can be exceptions). Usually, heavy duty hoses have three different layers:
- They have an abrasion-resistant outer layer
- They have a middle layer where the braided reinforcement is located.
- They have an inner tubing through which the water flows.
Cheaper hoses may not have all three layers, or will leave out certain types of reinforcement, or are just made using cheap material that can’t stand up to much weight.
Is There A Difference Between Crush Resistant And Crush Proof?
“Crush resistant” and “crush-proof” seem to be used interchangeably in manufacturers’ marketing language. Unfortunately, companies are very vague on how these two descriptions differ.
Obviously, “crush proof” sounds like it is the stronger of the two. I would just caution you to understand that even if something is labeled crush proof, it may not necessarily be able to handle everything a work site could throw at it (meaning, yes it probably still has a limit).
But for around the house, both crush-resistant and crush-proof hoses should work fine, and give you peace of mind that the hose fittings will hold up if accidentally run over or stepped on.
Are There Weight Limits For Crush Resistant Hoses?
Since crush resistant hoses are primarily designed for high traffic areas where they will almost certainly be run over by vehicles or machinery, these hoses are built to handle a significant amount of weight. Some, of course, are stronger than others, but most can withstand more than 1,000 pounds.
The highest-grade hoses can handle up to 4,000 pounds of weight without being structurally compromised. The lower grade hoses with weaker fittings are crush resistant only up to approximately 1,500 pounds.
You Can Reduce Your Hose’s Strength by Carelessness
Yes, you need to properly care for a hose, even if it seems indestructible. Most fittings can withstand exposure to sun and water, but the hose material itself can be compromised.
Try to store your hose in a storage reel or off the ground on a hook in your garage. It is quite important to keep the hose out of the sun as much as possible. Leaving a hose outside for an entire summer will likely lead to issues either immediately, or down the road.
In winter, proper storage can be even more important. If water freezes inside the hose, this can damage it structurally, causing the hose to fail sooner. Proper care of your hose is necessary to get the most use from it. Even crush-resistant hoses need a little TLC now and again.
Can A Car Crush A Hose Fitting?
The average car weighs approximately 3000 pounds (obviously, this can vary by car). Yes, a vehicle can crush a standard water hose fitting.
This is why it can be important to buy a crush-resistant hose that has fittings built to withstand this type of weight. Obviously, not a lot of hoses are just laying in the middle of a road or driveway. But, on occasion, a homeowner may need to use a hose near a driveway, and to be safe, buying crush resistant is a good way to go.
Crush resistant hoses are more important for construction sites and/or farming where heavy duty machinery can easily crush normal water hose fittings.
Crush Resistant vs Non-Crush Resistant Hoses
Cheap water hoses usually have fittings made out of aluminum that are easily bent out of shape under pressure. Even if the hose itself is okay, the fittings are ruined after impact, meaning the hose now cannot be connected to the water source.
At that point you have two choices: replace the fittings or throw the hose away. Since these types of hoses are relatively inexpensive, it’s typically easier to throw the hose away.
Additionally, non-crush-resistant water hoses usually are made with thin, cheap vinyl material that itself can easily crack under pressure. These types of hoses also kink easily. Constant kinking will weaken the already thin material, and your hose walls can start to crack.
Crush-resistant hoses are tougher, and built to last longer. The fittings are made of strong metal (often brass), which helps ensure that these hoses retain structural integrity. As we discussed earlier, these types of hoses usually have braided reinforcement through the hose itself to ensure strength.