You may have asked yourself, what are the hose options for my water fed pole? First off, it helps to know the ruction and features of a hose. A hose has a simple function: Carry the pure water from your purification device, up the pole and to the brush scrubber.
In order for it to work, you need the hose and the fittings to connect it. Seems so simple yet, there are different types of hoses and an endless variety of sizes of fittings out there in the window cleaning supplies market. In an effort to simplify things, let’s discuss the available hoses.
There are 3 common variations of pole hose for waterfed window cleaning in our Detroit Sponge inventory. All are designed to provide optimal flow while maintaining a sleek, skinny design to minimize weight. Easy to spool by hand, the pole hoses range from an outside diameter of 8 mm to 9 mm.
All Season Pole Hose 
Hot Flexible Green Hose 
Reinforced Pole Hose
General performance all season pole hose:
The basic, best-selling hose is the yellow all season waterpole hose. This is the yellow hose that is included with any Gardiner pole purchased at Detroit Sponge. The inner diameter provides sufficient flow for the low-pressure application of pure water window cleaning. Overtime, with sun exposure and heat exposure, this hose will wear and become softer. Ideally, this hose will function well in the field but will need to be replaced every few years if the hose has high usage.
This model is NOT as ideal for use in extreme lengths of over 150 ft as either of the other two options in our line. Also, while this hose can be used with pumps, the other two options are better choices for continued use with booster pumps. For sure, this hose is NOT a good fit for use with heated water. Finally, this hose is not a great choice for use on a hose reel or with the Uni Valve on/off valve. Looking for a better choice for an inline on/off valve- check out the Gardiner on/off valve gooseneck!
Summary of the highlights:
- 5 mm inner Diameter (ID) and 8 mm OD (5/16 inch)
- Performs well in most all types of weather between temps of up to 86F degrees
- Soft enough to coil up for storage
- Ideal for use at max length of 150’, can be used longer but would benefit from a pump
- Can be connected easily with the most popular union fittings, on off valve or T fittings in our inventory
- Bright yellow hose for added visibility and safety on the job site
- PVC composition
- Soft texture makes this hose not recommended for use with hose reel
- Available in 50, 100, 150, 300 ft lengths
Cold / Hot Flexible Green Waterpole hose:
This flexible green hose has a stiffer feel than the all-weather, yellow hose. The green option is designed to hold its shape at temperatures from 32 degrees to 212 degrees, making it a great choice for working with heated water or in colder outdoor temperatures. The hose is 5 mm ID and 8 mm OD, meaning that the green accepts the most popular connection fittings in the line.
Window cleaners have reported that this hose is a better option when connecting lengths of over 150 ft. The logic is that the stiffness of this hose allows the water to slide with less resistance than the all-season yellow hose. Less resistance means less friction and that means better flow over greater distances. This feedback comes straight from reports at the jobsite from pro window cleaners! This hose is NOT recommended for use a reel due to the stiffer structure of the line. With this additional stiffness, this is a good choice for use with a booster pump powered system.
Summary of the Highlights:
- 5 mm ID and 8 mm OD
- Suitable for temps from 32 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit
- UV resistant to hold up better to sunshine
- Great choice when using over 150 ft lengths of pole hose
- Easily connected with union fittings
- Works well with booster pump powered systems
- In stock in 50- and 300-foot lengths
Reinforced Yellow Pole hose:
If you like the flexibility of the regular, all season yellow hose but would like more durability, this reinforced hose is a great choice. The inner diameter matches the other pole hoses at 5 mm for efficient flow. However, the outer diameter is thicker at 9 mm. This extra thickness serves you well for extra durability in the field. Also, the reinforcing helps the hose to hold its shape and diameter over time and over distances. The thicker OD will mean that a fitting like the stem to barb one here or the 8 mm to 5 mm push fit adapter will be needed at the end of the hose. We will discuss more of that in a minute when we get to fittings.
With the thicker outside – this is a great time to explore the excellent EZ Snap fittings options!
This option is not recommended with the Uni Valve adaptor. The Gardiner on/off gooseneck valve is a GREAT option to consider for that. Also, the reinforced yellow is not ideal or recommended for use on hose reels. It is soft and will not perform well on most reels.
Summary of the Highlights:
- 5 mm ID and 9 mm OD
- Use with water up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit
- Thicker by 1 mm for extra durability
- Flexible hose
- Good choice for using at lengths over 150 ft.
- Great for rough terrain
- Yellow color for safety and visibility
- In stock in 300 ft lengths, easy for you to cut down to shorter lengths
This discussion should help you to line up which choice makes the most sense for your job sites and needs. These hoses are all about running the hose up the pole with a lightweight, easy to collect, easy to store and simple to transport hose. Other related topics include hoses for use on hose reels and connectors, (oh so many connectors!). Be sure to check out our other blogs and resources to learn more about these other two topics.
Pole hoses that are designed for use with pure water in window cleaning can make your job much more efficient. See the full listing of in stock inventory at www.DetroitSponge.com today.