Garden hoses are often green, although they can be found in a variety of colors. Garden hoses are typically made out of synthetic rubber or soft plastic, reinforced with an internal web of fibers. As a result of these materials garden hoses are flexible and their smooth exterior facilitates pulling them past trees, posts and other obstacles. They are also generally tough enough to survive scraping on rocks and being stepped on without damage or leaking. Most garden hoses are not rated for use with hot water, and their packaging will generally specify whether or not this is the case.
Typical hoses used for filling of the potable water tanks in recreational vehicles are similar to garden hoses but are made of nonporous materials that are less likely to collect bacteria or affect the water's taste. They are colored white as a distinguishing characteristic.
Garden hoses connect using a male/female thread connection. Spigots typically have male connectors. The threads (the main US standard is known as GHT - "garden hose thread"- it has an outer diameter of 1.0625 inches and a pitch of 11.5tpi) at each end of a typical garden hose mate with one another, which allows multiple garden hoses to be linked end-to-end to increase their length. Small rubber seals are used in female ends to prevent leakage. Sometimes these seals disintegrate or fall out of older hoses, which results in high-pressure leakage spraying from the hose. GHT is not compatible with UK hose systems which use 3/4" BSP.
