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Why a $5 flexi hose is a ticking time bomb in your house?

Did you know that burst flexi hoses can leak up to 1500 litres of water per hour?

Flexi hoses can be a ticking time bomb and unless maintained regularly they can cause irreversible water damage to your house. Flexible hoses or braided stainless steel water connectors are popular in the Australian homes. They have replaced the some of the copper pipes and are commonly used in the kitchen and bathroom. Flexible hoses are cheap and versatile – but also the leading cause of water leaks.

Water-logging in your home from a leaking flexi hose can damage carpets, walls, furniture, and hard flooring, and flush thousands of dollars down the drain as well…

Flexi Hose

Regular maintenance is cheaper than damage repairs

According to reports by insurance companies -NRMA, Budget Direct, RACQ, IAG – flexi hoses are the primary cause of internal flooding in homes.

There have been many instances wherein the flexi hose burst while the residents were asleep. To their surprise, the whole house was flooded when they woke up. 1 out of 5 liquid claim to insurance companies is due to a burst flexi hose and the water damage claims can reach up to nearly $400,000. The damage caused by these leaky hoses can be very costly to fix and is totally preventable with regular maintenance.

Why do the flexi hoses fail?

  1. DIY culture is quite popular in Australia and a lot of people attempt to do plumbing installations themselves. If the flexi hose is attempted by a DIYer, it can get stretched, twisted, loose or damaged causing the hose to break or burst within months of installation damaging the house.
  2. Chemicals stored under the sink can cause the pipes to corrode. Many household chemicals contain chlorine which, released in the closed cabinet, will form hydrochloric acid which can cause corrosion in flexi hoses.
  3. Chlorine in the water supply leaves behind a deposit of chloride and over time as the deposits build up can corrode the steel element. Over time, the steel part can begin to fail and cause the inner rubber lining to rupture causing the pipe to burst.

How to avoid a flexi hose bursting at your house?

  • Check flexi hoses regularly for damage, corrosion, rust marks, fraying, and kinks.
  • Flexible connectors should have a WaterMark Identification and certifier number.
  • Buy a good quality flexi hose and get it installed by a licensed plumber.
  • Get the flexi hose already installed in your house inspected by a professional plumber to ensure they are in good condition.
  • Install a pressure reducing valve to limit the pressure on the flexi hose.
  • Install a vent hole to allow ventilation and reduce chlorine levels in the closed cupboards where you store the household chemicals or consider storing them at another location.
  • Check the collar of the flexi hose for warranty – flexi hoses have been in the market for over 25 years. Earlier the warranty used to be 5 years and now they come with a warranty of 10 years. If the flexi hose installed in your house is reaching its warranty period or shows rust marks, bulges or kinks, get it replaced immediately by a qualified plumber.
  • Consider a maintenance schedule for the pipes, drains and appliances installed in your household.
  • Switch off the water supply from the mains when you are going away for a vacation.

Speak to a local plumber today

Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent water leaks from faulty flexible hoses, and much cheaper. Get in touch with your local plumbers in Brisbane on 1300 616 203 or complete the online booking form.