irunnoft Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 I'm looking for a place to purchase a good hose for car washing purposes only. I didn't know if anybody bought anything other than those that are avaiable in Lowe's or Wal-Mart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselDude Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 After checking to see if your Pressure Regulator Value is working correctly you may want to check the flow volume on your water meter. Here where I live the old sections of town with the old meters have a 3/4" meter flow instead of a 1/2" meter flow like the new sections and new meters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunky Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Russel, where is the pressure regulator usually located? It is usually in the line after it enters the house before it gets to the water heater. etc. Our house has one faucet in front of the pressure valve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sardian Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Russel, where is the pressure regulator usually located? It varies by where you live so take the below info knowing that. Usually they are located near where the water line enters the house. If you are on a basement it'll usually be in the basement near where the line comes through the foundation wall. If you are on a slab it is usually in a box (in the ground) just outside the house, most likely near the front hose pipe connection. Also on a slab it will sometimes be in the garage near the water heater (in most modern homes). In some municipalities it can be near the water meter, even on the street side of the meter (rarely since this makes it the water companies responsibility) In warm climates it can even be in your attic. It looks like the photo below, although it might not look exactly like this one but in my area this is the most popular style. The screw on the top is used to adjust the pressure. The brass nut at the bottom of the screw is a lock nut, just loosen it and then adjust the screw. Screwing it in will increase the pressure and out will lower the pressure. If the unit is clogged with sediment and causing low volume (resulting in low pressure) then adjusting the screw will not help, but if it's set too low then adjusting the pressure up can help. The unit is set from the factory around 50psi (where we usually leave it), and is adjustable from 25psi to 75psi so your not going to hurt anything by turning the screw. You can pick up a pressure gauge at any home improvement store that screws onto your back hose connection. Don't use the hose connection on the front of the house since these are usually installed before the PRV and will not give you the reading of the pressure in the house. Hope this helps. Russell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calvin.S Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 You may want to look at Sears, not sure where their Craftsman hoses are made but they are guaranteed for life just like their tools. They have nice fittings on the ends as well. Calvin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sardian Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 You may want to look at Sears, not sure where their Craftsman hoses are made but they are guaranteed for life just like their tools. They have nice fittings on the ends as well. Calvin I didn't know they were guaranteed like the tools. I have a craftsman hose that leaks at the fitting. I'll be seeing about a swap out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corners Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 Be sure to get the largest diameter hose you can, 5/8" minimum, preferably a 3/4". Just my .02 but in regards to which hose - that would be your choice. I just wanted to mention that when you get one or more, make sure they are "kink" free. Nothing worse than trying to get kinks out of a hose. Once they start doing that, they seem to just get worse. I speak from experience from many years of wasting my money and time. I felt really good when I ran over a kinked hose with my riding lawn mower until I had to replace two blades and buy a new belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyfox Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 Yeah, kinks are the worse. I had gone my fair share of the cheaper Swan hoses. Those suckers would kink if you looked at it funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ryan Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 I use a black Goodyear too.. Great hose! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
07RS4 Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 It varies by where you live so take the below info knowing that. Usually they are located near where the water line enters the house. If you are on a basement it'll usually be in the basement near where the line comes through the foundation wall. If you are on a slab it is usually in a box (in the ground) just outside the house, most likely near the front hose pipe connection. Also on a slab it will sometimes be in the garage near the water heater (in most modern homes). In some municipalities it can be near the water meter, even on the street side of the meter (rarely since this makes it the water companies responsibility) In warm climates it can even be in your attic. It looks like the photo below, although it might not look exactly like this one but in my area this is the most popular style. The screw on the top is used to adjust the pressure. The brass nut at the bottom of the screw is a lock nut, just loosen it and then adjust the screw. Screwing it in will increase the pressure and out will lower the pressure. If the unit is clogged with sediment and causing low volume (resulting in low pressure) then adjusting the screw will not help, but if it's set too low then adjusting the pressure up can help. The unit is set from the factory around 50psi (where we usually leave it), and is adjustable from 25psi to 75psi so your not going to hurt anything by turning the screw. You can pick up a pressure gauge at any home improvement store that screws onto your back hose connection. Don't use the hose connection on the front of the house since these are usually installed before the PRV and will not give you the reading of the pressure in the house. Hope this helps. Russell Cool Russel, thanks for the info. I think mine is under a plate in the driveway, but I'll check tomorrow. I don't have any issues, but this is definately good info to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
07RS4 Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 A bad or clogged pressure regulator can cause low pressure. You may want to have it checked. We replace about a dozen a week. It's usually a volume problem and not pressure. You can have 100 psi but it'll go to nothing if you have a clogged water line or a bad PRV. I need a new hose also, mine is old and kinks easy. I'm looking at one of the black goodyear hoses myself. Russel, where is the pressure regulator usually located? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwisejr Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Goodyear Hose here they are sold at HomeDepot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texn884 Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 I have a Goodyear hose and it has been good. Others I have some say no Kink and they kink up and really gets frustrating and yes once they start they just get kinkier, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corners Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 It varies by where you live so take the below info knowing that. Usually they are located near where the water line enters the house. If you are on a basement it'll usually be in the basement near where the line comes through the foundation wall. If you are on a slab it is usually in a box (in the ground) just outside the house, most likely near the front hose pipe connection. Also on a slab it will sometimes be in the garage near the water heater (in most modern homes). In some municipalities it can be near the water meter, even on the street side of the meter (rarely since this makes it the water companies responsibility) In warm climates it can even be in your attic. It looks like the photo below, although it might not look exactly like this one but in my area this is the most popular style. The screw on the top is used to adjust the pressure. The brass nut at the bottom of the screw is a lock nut, just loosen it and then adjust the screw. Screwing it in will increase the pressure and out will lower the pressure. If the unit is clogged with sediment and causing low volume (resulting in low pressure) then adjusting the screw will not help, but if it's set too low then adjusting the pressure up can help. The unit is set from the factory around 50psi (where we usually leave it), and is adjustable from 25psi to 75psi so your not going to hurt anything by turning the screw. You can pick up a pressure gauge at any home improvement store that screws onto your back hose connection. Don't use the hose connection on the front of the house since these are usually installed before the PRV and will not give you the reading of the pressure in the house. Hope this helps. Russell Not to sure what your Cities or County laws are pertaining to adjusting this valve. However, the City I live in, in Oregon, slapped a pretty hefty fine on me about ten years ago for raising my water pressure. The valve was located off of my property and the County found out due to a neighbor turning me in, claiming I had lowered her water pressure. Just something one might consider before attempting this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sardian Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Not to sure what your Cities or County laws are pertaining to adjusting this valve. However, the City I live in, in Oregon, slapped a pretty hefty fine on me about ten years ago for raising my water pressure. The valve was located off of my property and the County found out due to a neighbor turning me in, claiming I had lowered her water pressure. Just something one might consider before attempting this. If the pressure regulator is located on the incoming side of the water meter it usually belongs to the water company/city/water board etc. and you usually should not mess with this regulator. Call your water company and have them check the unit. And all the information I provided was dependent on where you live, local codes and regulations vary a lot from city to city in the same county, and even more across the country. And on top of that, your neighbor is a poot! I see no way you would effect her pressure unless you share a PRV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBlack151 Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Ahhh, the power of the search window. I wanted to see if you guys have expressed your opinions on which hoses are the best to use. I have the black Goodyear hoses, and I see most of you have the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Just bought a goodyear and new nozzle and would like more pressure though:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewy Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I find that no matter what hose I use, my cars still get just as clean. I use a rubber hose in the cooler months and a no kink vinyl in the warmer months. Both have billet brass fittings and I believe both were made in the USA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kornercarver Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I thought I had very low water pressure in my house. I didn't. It was just a water volume problem for the outside faucets. I was looking one day and noticed I have 3/4" water pipes for all the inside plumbing. But.....the builder apparently tried to save some money by running 1/2" pipe to the outside faucets. Therefore, the water volume was low. I had a plumber install 3/4" pipe and a new higher flow faucet next to the existing faucet. It is amazing how much water I flow now. It is much better than in the past. The only downside is the new faucet is not freeze proof so I have to drain the faucet in the winter. I still have the old faucet that I can use when the new faucet is shut off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunky Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 ...the builder apparently tried to save some money by running 1/2" pipe to the outside faucets. Therefore, the water volume was low. The typical house usually has 3/4-in water feeds then 1/2-in branches to each water fixture (any faucets, washers, etc) but these can be inefficiently done. A 1/2-in line can provide plenty of water/pressure (but not enough for an enthusiast) plus there can be other pressure reducers like whole house filters and excessive numbers of elbows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveVY Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Be sure to get the largest diameter hose you can, 5/8" minimum, preferably a 3/4". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irunnoft Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 Also, for whatever reason, I don't seem to have the greatest water pressure at my house. I'm going to have the city look into installing something to raise/boost our pressure, but I'd also like to know if anybody has the fire hose nozzle attachment and uses it with low water pressure. I'm considering buying it, but in reality, I can probably pee with more force than the water that comes out of my hose! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z71_Denali Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 a quick search of "garden hose" and you will find quite a few threads on this subject. the best ones out there are of course rubber hoses, and of course made in the USA. and to finally answer your question. look for a Goodyear Commercial Premium Rubber Garden Hose, Swan Premium Rubber Hose or a Gilmour Flexogen. i know the goodyear and gilmour hoses are sold at Home Depot, not sure about the other stores Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chas Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 I think low water pressure is going to affect any nozel you buy. I would still get the fire hoze nozel. Like Ryan said though, I like the Goodyear rubber garden hoses, good quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z71_Denali Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 i have low water pressure at my place. right now i use a cheap $10 nozzle which works good.... but the fire hose nozzle was on my christmas list so hopefully i get it this weekend. i took all next week off from work so you know what i'll be doing! i seriously doubt the city will do much to boost your pressure unless they find a leak somewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE Mook Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Whichever you choose, please make sure it's made here in the USA! Goodyear and Swan I know are made here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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irunnoft
I'm looking for a place to purchase a good hose for car washing purposes only. I didn't know if anybody bought anything other than those that are avaiable in Lowe's or Wal-Mart.
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