A garden hose is a flexible tube used to carry water. There are a number of common attachments available for the end of the hose, such as sprayers and sprinklers (which are used to concentrate water at one point or spread it over a large area). Hoses are usually attached to a hose spigot (tap).
Garden hoses are commonly green and often black, but can also be found in a variety of other colors. Garden hoses are typically made of synthetic rubber or soft plastic, reinforced with an internal web of fibers. As a result of these materials, garden hoses are flexible and their smooth exterior facilitates pulling them past trees, posts and other obstacles. Garden hoses are also generally tough enough to survive scraping on rocks and being stepped on without damage or leaking. Most garden hoses are not rated for use with hot water, and their packaging will generally specify whether or not this is the case.
Typical hoses used for filling of the potable water tanks in recreational vehicles are similar to garden hoses but are made of nonporous materials that are less likely to collect bacteria or affect the water's taste. They are colored white as a distinguishing characteristic.
The term hosepipe is chiefly British, South African and southern U.S. usage; garden hose (more commonly just hose) is the predominant term in other English-speaking countries. The term "hose" is also used for other types of flexible, water-carrying tubes such as those used by fire departments.
Garden hoses connect using a male/female thread connection spigots typically have male connectors and the hose has a captive nut which fits the threads. (The technical term for this arrangement is a hose union.)
The thread standard for garden hoses in the US and its territories is known as GHT or "garden hose thread" which has an outer diameter of 1.0625 inches (27.0 mm) and a pitch of 11.5 TPI). Outside the US, the more common BSP standard is used, which is 3/4" and 14 TPI. The GHT and BSP standards are not compatible.
Each end of a typical garden hose can mate with another, which allows multiple garden hoses to be linked end-to-end to increase their length. Small rubber or plastic seals are used in female ends to prevent leakage. Sometimes these seals disintegrate or fall out of older hoses, which results in high-pressure leakage spraying from the hose.
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