Last year, we purchased an ultra-long Hozelock hose pipe to run down to the vegetable garden along with a Hozelock multi spray watering gun. In addition to this we also purchased two auto reel Hozelock hose pipes for the front and back gardens. The hose pipes have been great, but we can’t say the same thing about the quality of the watering gun. It’s only about seven months old, and when we went to use it this weekend, the gun has split along the front of the handle and is leaking water like crazy. Check out the short video clip.
The thing that irks me is that you are buying branded gardening products that are supposed to be good quality and that you’re supposed to have for a very long time. That’s not been the case. At the end of the day, these items are made from hardened plastic, and the longevity of products like this has to be of paramount importance from an environmental and sustainability perspective. This watering gun will probably not be recycled because of the nature of the plastic it’s made from, and it’s ultimately going to end up in a landfill.
Now we’re faced with the dilemma of what watering gun or lance we should replace this with. Tips, suggestions and recommendations welcome on brands and products for us to consider.
Was there a chance it could have been stored outside or in an unheated store with water inside the main body? It looks like it could have split through water freezing inside it.
We store our watering guns and other equipment in the garage until it’s time to use them, so it is unlikely. But that’s actually an excellent point Tony and one that people should consider – manufactures should probably promote that as a “tip”.
Looks very much like Tony said, water left in it and it froze, is that possible in your garage? Was it still connected to the hose, as if not then any water should have drained out. Its quite a large crack! Come across this with Karcher pressure washers too, dont leave thrm outside! Its got a one year warranty so it might be worth trying to contact them if you still have the receipt or proof of purchase. Not sure but probably made in China like so much stuff is these days, its hard to buy decent quality anymore. Hozelock also do a metal one called the Multi Plus. I’d be tempted to write to them and show them your website, that’ll perhaps give them the chance to make up for it by offering you some sort of deal on a replacement perhaps? By the way, here in Stroud I volunteer at a “share and repair” shop where locals bring in items for repair. Its much like the TV show but less sentimental stuff and more practical like toasters kettles coffee machines clocks etc. We also sell unwanted repaired items or donations. I have put the website in the box below if you are interested.
Thanks for the feedback and thoughts Nick. I don’t think it would have frozen in the garage, but you can never be certain. I’ll have a look at some of the metal options as they sound a lot more durable. I also want to look into brass hose fittings – the plastic ones are constantly dribbling water.
I have several of the plastic push on connectors. They can leak especially around the screw on bit that holds the clamp teeth to the hose. You sometimes need to cut off an inch off the end of the hose and fit the connector onto a fresh bit. Might also be worth checking your water pressure isn’t too high?
Looks like damaged by ice forming. It has happened to me in the past????
In that long cold snap the inside of our garage was below freezing at times. I expect there are cracked things in there I’ve not discovered yet…
It’s the 5mms x 2mm diameter rubber O ring that’s perished Need to remove the handle to get to it ,quite an easy mend if a bit of a struggle to get the handle apart . Cover the new rubber ring with silicone grease
Thanks Tony. I’ll have a look at it this coming weekend.
hozelock are rubbish even their metal “pro” very expensive guns fail inside 12 months!
Have you found a good alternative you can recommend?