How do garden hoses control their water so that they do not burst?

Garden hoses don’t control the pressure of the water. If you force water into a garden hose at a pressure that is too high it will burst.

The water within the pipes of your home maintains a consistent pressure, typically generated by a pump or, in the case of urban areas, by gravity from a water tower. This pressure remains relatively constant, except during periods of high water usage within your home, like flushing a toilet, which may temporarily reduce pressure.

The pump or municipal water supply system is designed to operate within specific pressure limits, regulating the pressure, not the hose itself. The hose is engineered to withstand normal water pressure, ensuring it can safely contain the water. However, if the pressure is increased, either by using an overly powerful pump or constructing an excessively tall water tower, the hose may burst.

It seems there might be a misconception about how water flow and pressure operate. Consider a standard garden hose connected to a regular outdoor tap with a typical open/close screw valve and a spray nozzle. When you open the valve to allow water into the hose, it fills up, and the water stops flowing once the hose is full. No more water enters the hose until you open the nozzle to let it out.

When the valve is closed and the hose is empty, there is high pressure behind the valve and low pressure in the empty hose. Opening the valve forces high-pressure water into the low-pressure hose until the pressures equalize. At this point, water stops flowing into the hose because the available water pressure has reached its limit. The hose is constructed to withstand this pressure, preventing further water flow.

Increasing the pressure may cause the hose to expand slightly, allowing a bit more water in. However, excessive pressure can lead to the hose expanding until it bursts. It's important to note that the plumbing system in your house typically operates at a consistent pressure, and items like garden hoses are designed to function within these pressure limits.

Garden Hose