Retractable Hose Systems: Hide-A-Hose Parts and What to Know

How we chose

Hide-A-Hose is the dominant retractable hose system in North America, and complete systems are sold and installed through dealers, because the pipe behind every valve must be long and straight enough to swallow the hose. So this is not a ranking of systems you can order online; it is a parts guide for homes that already have one. We ranked the parts on how they fit (hose length, valve generation, cuff type), what the maker publishes about them, and how often owners need them. Hoses come first because they wear; valve kits and the wand follow.

Hide-A-Hose hoses are made by Plastiflex, which is why the hose listings carry that brand. Specs for the three hoses come from marketplace listings cross-checked against hideahose.com; the valve kits and wand are documented by Hide-A-Hose itself. No prices, and no warranty terms were found for any of these parts.

If you are new to the idea, read retractable hose systems explained first.

1. Replacement hose, 32 ft: best for 30 ft valves

This is the 32 mm (about 1-1/4 in) SmartSoc-class hose for a 30 ft installation. It is sold at 32 ft so you can trim it to length at the valve end; the cuff end must not be cut. Standard 1-1/4 in tools fit the cuff. Confirm which valve generation you have (original, HS3000, HS4000, HS5000 or HS6000) and whether the listing includes the sock, which is not stated. The marketplace title says “32in”, which is a typo for 32 ft.

Skip it if your valve is a 40 or 50 ft installation; a short hose will not reach and cannot be extended.

2. Replacement hose, 42 ft: best for 40 ft valves

The 42 ft hose is the replacement for a 40 ft installation, with the same trim allowance. The pipe run behind the valve has to store the retracted hose, so it must hold roughly 44 ft; if your original hose was 40 ft, it does. Same 32 mm class and the same valve-generation and cuff checks.

Skip it if you do not know your installed length; measure the old hose first.

3. Replacement hose, 52 ft with sock: best for 50 ft valves

For 50 ft installations, this hose ships with a SmartSoc-style sock already fitted, which saves the awkward job of threading one on. Hide-A-Hose says a 50 ft hose covers about 1,800 to 2,300 sq ft from one valve, and that it requires a strong power unit, because the long narrow hose adds a lot of resistance. Sock kits are made for SmartSoc hoses only.

Skip it if your power unit is already marginal; a shorter hose at more valves will clean better than a long hose that starves the unit.

4. HS4000 valve trim kit (almond): the visible half of the valve

The trim kit is what you see on the wall: the inlet valve itself, the finish door, a low-voltage switch, 4 screws, 2 wire nuts and a silicone pack. It fits walls up to 1.5 in thick and requires an existing HS3000 or HS4000 rough-in frame, or Hide-A-Hose’s stand-alone mounting kit. Colors are almond, white and black; Hide-A-Hose does not print the “HS4000A” suffix on its page, so the color code is inferred from the Canplas and Hide-A-Hose convention. If you are upgrading, HS6000 conversion kits now exist for HS4000 installs.

Low-voltage switch wiring is safe for a careful DIYer. There is no 120 V in this valve.

Skip it if your frame is HS5000 or HS6000; the trim will not match.

5. HS5000 locking sleeve kit: fix for a slipping hose

When a Hide-A-Hose hose slips back into the wall while locked, or will not release, the rubber locking sleeve is the usual culprit. This kit has the sleeve, 4 screws and nuts, 8 nylon washers and an instruction sheet, and fits HS5000 valves only. The HS4000 kit (top cap, sleeve and 6 screws) is a different part that fits HS3000 and HS4000 valves. To replace it, the entire hose must be pulled out of the valve before the valve comes off the wall, so allow floor space.

Skip it if your valve is not an HS5000; order the matching kit for your generation.

6. Telescoping wand: best wand

Hide-A-Hose’s own wand is stainless steel with a button lock, extends from about 25 to 38 in, and has a comfort seal designed to mate with the mini-cuff on Hide-A-Hose hoses. The same wand is sold by MD Manufacturing as a Comfort Grip Telescopic Wand for electric, low-voltage and basic button-lock hoses, so it also works on conventional systems.

Skip it if your hose already has a wand that seals well; this is a comfort upgrade, not a repair.

What to check before you buy

• Installed hose length. 30, 40, 50 or 60 ft. Measure the old hose; the pipe behind the valve was sized for it.
• Valve generation. Original, HS3000, HS4000, HS5000 or HS6000. Sleeve kits and trim kits are generation-specific.
• Cuff type. Hide-A-Hose hoses use a mini cuff; confirm the replacement matches before you trim anything.
• Sock. Included on the 52 ft hose; verify on the 32 and 42 ft listings.
• Power unit. A 50 ft retractable hose needs a strong unit. See air watts explained.
• Dealer paperwork. It usually lists the valve model and hose length. A photo of the valve to the dealer answers most questions.

What to do next

If you are deciding whether to add retractable hoses to a new or existing system, read retractable hose systems explained and talk to a Hide-A-Hose dealer, since the pipe layout is the hard part. If your unit struggles at the end of a long hose, our troubleshooting lost suction guide separates a clog from an undersized unit, and the systems roundup lists units with published water-lift figures.