How to choose a hand spray gun
Are you worried about how much water you waste while washing the car or hosing down the patio furniture? That's where a hand spray can work wonders. Choosing the right spray gun and using the right settings for the task can make your watering jobs much more enjoyable.
Hand watering attachments
Hand sprays, hand guns, wands and nozzles are hand watering attachments. Each has different features and serves different functions in the garden.
Hand sprays
are a great all-round attachment, as they have a variety of watering patterns to suit different applications such as mist for creating humidity on plants, soaker for filling up buckets, and shower for watering garden beds.
Hand spray guns
allow you to adjust the spray pattern from a fine mist to a powerful jet and have the added benefit of a trigger. They're ideal for cleaning driveways and pavers with the jet function.
Nozzles
also allow you to adjust the spray pattern from a fine mist to a powerful jet with a simple twist to turn the water flow on and off.
Wands
have an adjustable head, long shaft and a variety of watering patterns just like a hand spray. They're ideal for hard-to-reach areas like hanging baskets and gutter cleaning.
Choosing a spray pattern
Some Pope hand sprays, hand spray guns, nozzles and wands have 8 or even 9 options – so you can use it anywhere and everywhere that needs a water or clean.
Here are some of the most useful and popular patterns:
Shower
The shower spray pattern gives a high flow of water, so it's great for watering most plants without disturbing compost.
Full or Soaker
The full spray pattern is a little like the shower. But because it's more powerful, it's better for watering more sturdy plants from further away.
Mist
If you need an even finer flow of water for seedlings and other delicate plants and flowers (or those that need humidity, like orchids), use the mist spray setting.
Jet
The jet spray setting is too strong for plants, but it has plenty of power for hosing down your driveway, pathways or pavers. The big jet is even more powerful than the small jet, so use it when you need to give paving or outdoor items a good clean.
Cone
If you want to water several plants at once, choose the cone pattern. It gives a light circular spray to save time and water even the most delicate plants.
Center
Sometimes you need a strong stream of water for a more concentrated precise soak, such as when you're washing the car. Choose the centre spray pattern for these jobs.
Flat
The flat pattern has a horizontal V spray for watering broad surfaces, a row of plants or rinsing soap off your car.
Considerations when choosing your next hand sprayer
Trigger options
The trigger of a hand spray provides you greater control over delivering the water when and where you need. Front or rear triggers are a personal preference, so have a play to see what feels right for you. A front trigger may feel more natural to many people.
Comfort
It's no fun watering or cleaning with a sore hand or arm. While a heavy material such as brass might make you think of quality, it can also become tiring after long periods of use. Consider how long you'll use it for and if weight could be a problem. Plastic options are generally lighter and are well suited for long periods of use. So look for a hand spray or nozzle that's comfortable, easy to use and reliable.
Flow control
This is a feature on many hand sprays and can come in the form of a lever or knob. Adjusting the water flow at the hand spray is super helpful when changing from watering established plants to seedlings, as reducing the flow will help prevent blasting the seedlings out of the soil.
Buy good quality
A cheap hand spray gun might get the job done…for now. But if you don't want to put up with leaks, cracks, bursts or breaks, it's best to buy a quality hand spray or nozzle. Generally you get what you pay for, so investing in a higher-priced product should provide you with greater durability and improved features. That way, you can be confident it can withstand regular use and all your watering demands – without having to be replaced every couple of months.
Watering patterns
Hand sprays come with a variety of watering patterns. Below is a guide of which patterns are best for certain tasks.
How to connect a spray gun to a hose
It's easy to connect your Pope spray gun to your hose. Simply connect the hose to your tap using an adaptor or connector, and attach the other end to your hand spray gun or nozzle.
Pope's DIY tip: Turn the tap off before attaching or detaching your hand spray gun, so you don't get drenched!
How To: Choose The Right Hand Spray
How To: Understand Hand Spray Patterns
