Customer Reviews

Dramm 17010 ColorStorm Premium 50-Foot-by-5/8-Inch Soaker Garden Hose, Black

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

We have used soaker hoses for years for a long hedge area. Local suppliers no longer make a 5/8 inch and now only provide 1/2 inch, and either side wear out in a few years. In addition, when new, they spray a little up as well as drip down.

This Dramm Premium hose is about twice the prices - but it has a lifetime guarantee, it is 5/8 inch, it is double walled, it does not spray up, and it waters straight down as soaking. It is greatl I expect it to last a log time so the extra price will pay for itself over time. Even if a shorter life, the product works as it should and not the current cheap and poor quality competetive products on the market.

Using this hose (many, actually) to irrigate the numerous shrub and perimeter beds on around our home. (about 1/3-acre, not an expansive property.) I love Dramm, finding their products superior to others I've tried over the years. (soaker hoses, as well as Dramm's other irrigation tools.)


Have permanently installed these, laid atop the soil over the root zones of azaleas, acubas, cleyeras, etc., pinned down with steel L-shaped stakes, then covered with mulch and compost. Covering the hoses not only makes the beds more attractive and hides the hoses, but also retains the water used, for further conservation.


Our landscape has an in-ground sprinkler system, but my goal is to use that for watering only the turf areas, utilizing these soaker hoses to maintain the non-turf areas, about half of the total area. Sod requires too much water in our area, (north central Texas,) and I know much of the water used to maintain the more moisture-sensitive shrubs, such as azaleas, is wasted when running the sprinklers. Multiple soaker hoses can be connected to each other for longer runs, and sometimes using multiple shorter hoses instead of one very loooong one can be beneficial in the event the hose(s) must be moved for some reason. Simply disconect one or two 50-footers, instead of one 100-footer.


I have different beds connected together with sections of regular garden hose, and have either buried the regular hose just beneath the sod across the lawn area, or covered with mulch in a non-sodded area. This allows me to water one entire side of the yard at once, instead of having to connect/disconnect various hoses from the spigot(s). A 'Y' connector here and there allows the branching of a couple of soaker hoses to different areas for greater coverage.


Two more suggestions for anyone contemplating a project such as this: replace the black pvc cap(s) on these hoses with brass caps, usually available at your local hardware store. If you live in a climate where the hoses will be left outside in the winter, eventually the plastic caps will crack and degrade, resulting in leaks. Plastic caps will also break if stepped on, or run over with the mower or other lawn equipment. Brass quick-disconnects are also invaluable for any gardener who uses hoses and various watering devices. Don't bother with the cheapo plastic versions.... they don't last long and can't be left outside in freezing weather. Except for occasionally replacing the rubber washers, brass connectors last indefinitely, and are well worth the higher initial cost. Just make sure the male and female components are made by the same manufacturer; one brand may not crossover (fit) another brand, so buy a female coupler for each spigot or hose end, and one male end for each watering tool or hose-end device. And get a couple extra male ends in case you buy more watering tools, but don't forget to remove these brass pieces in the even you have to replace a worn-out hose or tool.


And finally, if your municipality uses the Water Department as a profit center like ours does, water conservation is not only beneficial to the planet, but beneficial to your pocketbook as well.

I have used a number of lighter duty soaker hoses that were adequate, but not great meaning that they would spray thin streams if the water pressure was too high and put out more water volume at one end or the other. This Dramm 50-foot and the 25-foot version which I have also tried and am currently using performs as described. They both soak and do not spray and put out water uniformly along their entire lengths. Highly Recommended.

I ordered 2 of these hoses after the $10 Craftsman ones I used last summer sprung major leaks when I hooked them up at the start of this gardening season (after having been stored dry in the garage during the winter). Figured I'd rather spend a little more money than have to replace the hoses every year. Of the 2 Dramm hoses, one leaked profusely from 2 spots near the attachment to the water source, with the water running on very low pressure as indicated by the instructions. The other worked fine for a couple of days, then began to shoot a tiny jet of water from one spot. The Craftsman hoses always do this, but I won't tolerate it in a $30 hose. I sent them both back. It turns out Craftsman also offers a 7-year warranty (which I unfortunately didn't realize until after I'd thrown away last year's hoses), so I've switched back to Craftsman.

Seems very solidly built and water pours out of it evenly along the entire length. And I do mean pour, the output is quite impressive. No little sputter and barely damp ground with this hose.

This is the best drip hose I have ever owned. Well worht the little extra cost!

Could not believe but after only 4 to 5 uses the soaker began springing leaks. I was hoping that the first leak was just a fluke and I spliced the leak with a plastic coupler and water hose clamps but then it would spring another leak in another section of the hose. Within three days I had spliced the hose 8 different times and finally just threw the hose away.

This is what we needed to water bushes under an eave. Flow is consistent, and you can adjust water time to get the soaking you need. Easy to set up around bushes.

Due to the rainfall in my area, I have only had to use this a few times this summer. But it performs exactly as advertised. The drip is even and the hose seems sturdy.

Very good soaker hose, though stiffer than I expected. That is probably due to its greater wall thickness, which is a big plus, and why I bought it. I wish it was available in a 75 foot length to better fit my garden, but no other soaker hoses are, either.