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Firstly, what are flexi hoses (also known as flexible hoses or flexible connectors)?
In the last 30 years, steel braided hoses (known as flexi hoses) have been used where there is a requirement for a water feed.
Flexi hoses are rubber tubes surrounded by a steel braided hose that serves as a plumbing connection from the water main to toilets, sinks and major appliances.
Like the name suggests, flexi hoses are flexible making them ideal if ‘some’ bending and shaping is required to accommodate alignment issues between the water pipes and the item they are to be connected to – this makes them quick and easy to install, hence reducing labour costs.
Whilst these hoses also serve to reduce the stress on pipes by absorbing ground movement and hydraulic shock, they can fail by bursting.
Routinely checking the condition of your home’s flexible hoses is VERY important. Why? Just say, you are away enjoying a well-earned holiday and a flexi hose bursts inside your home – it can leak up to 1,500 litres of water per hour (in a 24 hour period, it potentially will have released enough water inside your house to fill an average size backyard swimming pool).
So, with the swimming pool scenario in mind (and the thought of the tens of thousands of dollars to rectify the damage caused), it is worth taking the time to identify where flexi hoses are installed in your home and setting a reminder to check their condition (e.g. the first day of each season – Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring).
Where are flexi hoses generally installed?
Under the kitchen sink
Filtered water units that are incorporated into the kitchen sink
Refrigerator – ice / filtered water supply
Dishwasher
Under the bathroom vanity basins
Toilet cistern
Under the laundry tub
Why do flexi hoses burst?
The stainless steel braid fails – the rubber tube inside the braid expands under pressure of which, the braid’s purpose is to prevent further expansion. With failure of the braid, the rubber tube will bulge out of the braid and rupture.
Damage to the flexi hose during installation – this generally occurs during a DIY project whereas a plumber has the experience to know what level of bending and shaping can be carried out without jeopardising the integrity of the hose (by creating a weak point).
Poor installation – at either end of the flexi hose, there are connectors with nuts. There is a ‘sweet spot’ when it comes to the torquing of the nuts … if they are installed too tightly, the seal will rupture and if they are not installed tightly enough, a leak will occur outside the hose. What occurs with either case, is the chlorine in the water supply builds up on the metal braiding causing corrosion.
Humidity – most flexi hoses are under sinks in closed cupboards. This location is a high humidity environment which can corrode the stainless steel braiding.
How do you reduce the chances of a flexi hose bursting?
Routine visual check – If you notice that any of the flex hoses are twisted, kinked, rusting, corroding or have frayed steel threads, we strongly recommend you have a plumber replace these as soon as possible (again, think of the swimming pool scenario).
Water pressure check by a plumber – If it is found the water pressure is excessively strong, it should be recommended, by the plumber, that a pressure limiting valve be installed to reduce the water pressure.
Scheduled replacement – From our experience, it seems to be that braided flexi hoses should be replaced every 5 years (if you really want to decrease the chances of one bursting). However, 5 - 10 years is acceptable as long as they are in good condition (refer back to the ‘visual check’). If the flexi hoses do require replacement, always choose a plumber to carry this work out to avoid any easily preventable problems.
Isolation tap (also referred to as a stop tap) – a plumber can install an isolation tap to each flexi hose in your home. If the flexi hose bursts, this will mean you won’t waste time trying to find the water main on your footpath (potentially in the dark) and trying to turn it off (and they can be hard to turn off sometimes!). The isolation tap will mean you can quickly go to the burst source, take immediate action and avoiding further water spilling into your home.
Water stop valve (also referred to as a ball valve) – An option to individual isolation taps is a water stop valve installed to the outside wall of your home (down low to the ground). One flick of the lever and all water stops going into your house. If you are going away on holidays, a water stop valve can be very convenient too – just one flick of the lever ensures that if a flexi hose does burst while you are away, there will be minimal water to cause damage.
What to do if your water main doesn’t turn off and you have a burst flexi hose?
In the scenario that you don’t have isolation taps or a water stop valve and you cannot turn of the water at the water main on your footpath (or it fails – which they have been know to do), some quick action you can take is:
if it is a COLD WATER HOSE that has burst – turn ON the outside garden tap closest to the front of your home to decrease the amount of water entering the pipes and feeding into the house; or
if it is a HOT WATER HOSE that has burst – turn OFF the hot water system to isolate the hot water feed; and then
CALL HOWZAT PLUMBING as we understand the urgency of the situation!
What to look for if buying flexi hoses yourself (and preferably still having a plumber install them to ensure the work is carried out properly)
There are no burst proof flexible hoses, however there is the ability to choose a superior product over a $3 hose made from brass barb fittings and low-quality steel. They are generally thinner and have a weaker braid. Potentially, the cheaper options have also not been manufactured or heat-treated properly. All of these conditions make them more susceptible to early corrosion.
There are flexi hoses now available that have a plastic coating over the stainless steel braiding – providing more resistance to corrosion.
A quality flexi hose will also have the WaterMark certification displayed.
If you find yourself with a burst flexi hose, Howzat Plumbing offer a 24/7 emergency service – please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are based in Chermside, however we have team members located throughout the Brisbane northside and southside, the Moreton Bay and Samford Valley regions, Brisbane's East, Bayside, Western suburbs, CBD and inner-city who will be able to head to your property as a matter of urgency.
