Maintaining a lush garden while ensuring water savings and cost efficiency is a daunting task. So, as avid gardeners, we advise you to opt for more sustainable yet cost-effective watering methods like using a soaker hose!
While using sprinklers and garden hoses is almost everyone’s first choice, sprinkling water causes quick evaporation and water wastage and often hydrates just on the surface level. However, using a soaker hose ensures slow and thorough watering of your garden through slow seeping of water around the plant roots. Thus, as it provides higher savings and better hydration, it is an unavoidable part of any lush garden!
And sometimes we need to water the farthest end of our garden but cannot reach it with just one soaker hose. So, if, like many gardeners, you want to know how to connect two soaker hoses together, you are in the right place! In this blog, we will discuss how to connect two soaker hoses together to ensure the overall watering of your garden.
Can You Connect Two Soaker Hoses Together?
Yes, if you have small nozzles and appropriate water pressure, you can connect two soaker hoses together. Your usage should not exceed a flow rate of roughly 6 litres per minute at all times.
You can try and increase the pressure. However, most hoses are made with an inlet on the supply side, which limits the flow of water. Before attaching a standard hose to the middle, removing the inlet is preferable to avoid complications.
Before attaching a standard hose to the middle, removing the inlet is preferable to avoid complications.
How To Connect Two Soaker Hoses Together
Two ends of a soaker hose can be screwed together to connect the two of them. You can connect various hoses using the hose connector. Follow the given steps for connecting the soaker hoses.
Step 1: Arranging the Tools
The fittings must be the same size as your hose. This is determined by the hose’s dimensions. Soaker hoses are typically the same size as garden hoses, at 3/4′′ or 1/2′′ in diameter.
If you need to replace any broken side of the plug, cut that side and take it to a hardware store to find the right match for the hose. If necessary, purchase both the male and female connectors. Male connectors are normally torn first, so they only need to be replaced. You’ll also need a few instruments like a screwdriver, a utility knife, waterproof tape, and a measuring tape.
Step 2: Cut the Hose Ends
It is easier to prevent leaks if the hose ends are clean and straight. So, it is best to cut the hose about 2 inches from the ends of the hoses with your utility knife. Cut smoothly to avoid jagged edges.
Step 3: Prepare Your Hose
For a vinyl soaker hose, try soaking it in warm water for a few minutes. It will soften the hose and help to install the connecter smoother.
Step 4: Introduce a New Hose Connection
There are a few types of hose connections based on the type of accessories in use. Below are some ways to use different accessories.
Barbed Accessories
They are the simplest to arrange and require no additional tools and prevent the hose from slipping out of the connection. However, they have a shorter lifespan compared to others. It has a pointy pin set that sticks into the opening of your hose instead of a separate ring. Insert the connector into the hose and close it tightly.
Compression Accessories
It is stronger and provides a more intricate seal than many others. Compression accessories are made up of a metal part with a round plastic space and an extra clamping ring.
To begin, thread the hose line through the clamping ring. Then, using the opposite part, put your hose through the plastic space. When installing the compression fitting, you may notice that it has a round hole on one side to connect. Now, insert the hose and press it down until flushed. Then wrap the ring around the connector.
Clamp Ring Accessories
Clamp ring components are typically more compact and easier to install. Simply place the cap into the hose’s opening. Then attach a ring to it and tighten the ring by turning the side screw with a screwdriver.
Step 5: Connect the Two Hoses
Now, no matter whichever fittings you use, connecting the two hoses will be simple no matter whichever fittings you use. Insert the connector into the socket. Check that the internal threads of the hose are aligned evenly. Furthermore, do not break the cross threads as they help in keeping the fasteners in place.
Most commercial soaker hoses are usually 3/4′′ in diameter. In case you need to connect a 3/4″ soaker to a 1/2′′ hose, an adaptor may be required. Adapters are often offered in female and male sizes that must correspond to the connections in use.
How Many Soaker Hoses Can Be Connected Together?
Generally, multiple soaker hoses can be connected together. In fact, you can connect two extendable hoses at the same time. There are some technical details one needs to keep in mind. To ensure a connection, both hoses must have the same core diameter and opposing female and male ends. Though you can connect soaker hoses, do not connect any hoses that are more than 150 feet away from the water supply. Also, avoid increasing the water pressure as the hose connection cannot usually take huge water pressure.
You may connect several soaker hoses with various bi-directional water valves and garden hoses to match practically any garden plan or creative design in mind!
Final Verdict
A soaker hose is a valuable addition to any garden. Using a soaker hose will offer you maximum efficiency in watering your plants. It can be of great use irrespective of whether your lawn is big or small. It will enable you to irrigate your plants more efficiently, waste less water, and save on your water bills. And in case you had an issue with extending your soaker hose, our blog on How to Connect Two Soaker Hoses Together will help you in keeping your garden hydrated and green!