Garden Hose Reels

Yes! Hose reels are one of the best ways to store your hose pipe while protecting it from kinks, sun, cracking, or any damage it may receive from laying out around your garden. Read more on the best way to store hose pipes here. 

Hose reels that are left out in the winter will be more susceptible to damage caused by freezing. Take them inside and spin the hose reel to pump water out. Then, carefully wind it back in. Read our guide for more on how to prepare your irrigation system for the cold months.  

Guide one end of your hose pipe through the opening of the hose reel drum and attach it to the hose connection on the inside. Check it is secure by tugging on the hose pipe and then carefully wind the hose onto the hose reel. Click here for a full set of step-by-step instructions on attaching and coiling.

Hose reels can be fitted to walls or be freestanding for easy access and manoeuvrability. Hose reel carts are also available. They allow you to move your hose reel easily through your garden or driveway. Hose reels can also feature automatic rewinding for easy storage after use. It is also possible to purchase enclosed hose reels that help protect the hose from the sun.

A hose reel can be fitted to a brick wall, wooden fence, or fence post as long as the chosen location is structurally sound. You will need a power drill with a good quality drill bit and a way to mark where the bracket should go. Once the bracket is securely screwed in, it will be able to take the full weight of the hose reel. For more guidance, read our guide: How to set up a hose reel. 

Auto rewind hose reels, or retractable hose reels, can automatically rewind hose pipes. These are a great option for those who have limited hand strength or mobility issues. The reeling is activated by a gentle tug on the hose, and it can be paused at any point for more watering. They typically have a built-in hose guide to prevent kinks and tangles.

Manual hose reels work by hand-cranking the winding arm at the side to reel out and rewind the hose pipe. See our guide to hose pipe storage for more information. 

If you have the Hozelock Compact Reel, the reel enclosure may keep you from seeing if it is winding in the right direction. Check the arrows on the side of the case for proper direction. If the hose has been incorrectly reeled in, you will need to unwind the hose completely and then rewind in the opposite way. The reel may also be mounted in too low of a position, causing the hose to pull on the aperture.

There are a few possible reasons why your hose real may be leaking. The connection between the hose and the reel may have been loosened. If this is the case, a simple re-tightening should fix the leak. Other sources may be damage to the inlet hose itself or faulty connectors. See our returns and refunds policy for instructions on how to return damaged or defective items. 

The best way to clean a hose reel is with dish soap and a cloth. Before reeling in your hose, stand at the reel with your cloth and retract the pipe through the cloth. Take care to avoid the use of any chemicals or substances such as acetone, white spirits, or lactic acid to clean your hose reel. 

An automatic hose reel should be able to smoothly retract the hose with consistent tension. If the tension is not consistent, there may be debris in the reel that is keeping the hose from layering properly. Clear this debris, and make sure to always walk back the hose wheel retracting it into the reel. 

Depending on the position of your hose reel, you may want a cover to protect your hose and hose reel from the sun. This will be the best accessory for reels fixed or mounted to walls that receive a lot of sunlight. You may also want a Hozelock Hose Connection Set which can easily connect outside garden taps to hose reels and trolleys.