Getting That Booster Hose Reel Sorted

Alright, so I finally tackled installing that booster hose reel the other day. Been meaning to do it for ages, you know how it is. The old way of wrestling with the hose was just getting ridiculous, especially with the higher pressure from the booster pump making it stiff.

First thing, I had to figure out the best spot. Needed it close enough to the pump outlet but also convenient for pulling the hose out towards the yard and the driveway. Spent a good chunk of time just walking around, holding the reel up, imagining where it would work best. Decided on the side wall of the garage, seemed sturdy enough and out of the way.

Gathering the Gear

Next up was getting the tools together. You always think you have everything, right?

• Drill, obviously.
• The right drill bits for masonry, 'cause it's a block wall.
• Level – crucial, didn't want it looking wonky.
• Pencil for marking.
• Wrenches for the hose fittings.
• The mounting hardware that came with the reel (plus some beefier anchors I bought separately, just in case).
• Sealant tape for the threads.

Took me two trips back to the workbench to grab stuff I forgot. Always happens.

The Actual Work

Okay, holding the reel up and marking the holes was the easy part. Used the level to make sure it was straight. Then came the drilling. Man, drilling into block is dusty work. Started with a smaller pilot hole, then widened it for the anchors. Took a bit of elbow grease, not gonna lie. Got the anchors tapped in nice and snug.

Lifting the reel onto the anchors and tightening the bolts felt good. Solid. Gave it a wiggle, didn't budge. Perfect.

Connecting the Hose

Now for the plumbing bit. Had to connect the short inlet hose from the reel to the outlet pipe coming from my booster pump. This was where the wrenches and sealant tape came in handy. Wrapped the threads good and tight, then cranked down the fittings. Didn't want any leaks, especially under pressure. Then, wound the main booster hose onto the reel itself. The winding mechanism seemed decent enough, clicked along okay.

Moment of Truth

Turned on the pump. Watched the connections like a hawk. No drips, no sprays. Success! Pulled the hose out, gave the nozzle a squeeze. Good pressure, worked like a charm. Rewinding it was smooth too, much better than coiling it by hand on the ground.

So yeah, took a bit of effort, mostly in the planning and drilling, but having that booster hose neatly on the wall, ready to go? Totally worth it. Makes washing the car or watering the far end of the garden so much less of a chore. Job done.