Backwash hose-Walmart vs Pool Store

Hi All,
Quick question:
Is there any difference between the backwash hoses sold at Walmart and the ones sold at the pool stores?

Thanks,
~Hoffmans

If you're talking about the flat blue hoses, I prefer my walmart one over my pool store one, a littel bigger and slightly more flexible - less likely to split in colder weather.
I use them to run my rainbarrel overflow to the pool over my lawn in the spring to fill the pool - about 100 feet - works like a water level, top of pool is about 2 feet lower than top of rainbarrel.

Generally you can find better products for less money at any place other than a pool store. When they put the word pool on it, it just adds to the mark-up.

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Originally Posted by cleancloths

Generally you can find better products for less money at any place other than a pool store. When they put the word pool on it, it just adds to the mark-up.

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Not necessisarily! Skimmer socks are 3 for $6 and change at walmart and 5 for $5 and change at the pool store in my area! It pays to comparison shop!

Well there are exceptions to everything, but generally pool stores are high. Take a look at the price of a ball valve there versus at one of the big box hardware stores.

Then again, therre is a REAL difference in quality between a ball valve from a big box and a Jandy or Hayward ball valve. If you don't believe me just check them out! Just try turning them both and you will see what I am talking about.

I have seen them, and have replaced several Hayward valves that got very stiff with ones from HomeDepot that were of far superior quality. But that is neighther here nor there, the point is there is usually a huge mark-up at pool stores. Just check the huge difference between what the online outfits sell for - the difference is much greater in the pool business than almost any other business.

We were so frustrated with that blue back wash hose from it splitting all the time, that this year we went out and bought sump pump hose (black hard plastic) which comes in 24' lengths in 1 1/2 and 1 1/4 dia. Should last a lot longer than that other crap!.