A homeowner never forgets when a burst flexi hose damages their property. Here’s how to reduce the likelihood of it happening again.
Burst flexi hoses are becoming a big problem to Australian properties and many home owners are unaware of their danger.
If you’ve ever had your toilet or tapware replaced in the last twenty years, you will find the water feed has been replaced with a steel braided hose. This hose has the potential to burst, causing serious water damage to your home.
In fact, if a burst flexi hose isn’t discovered within 24 hours, it can release enough water to fill a household swimming pool. This type of water damage can lead into the tens of thousands of dollars to outlay for the repair and it may no longer be insurable.
Six years ago, I wrote a post on a valve I reviewed in my own home which would stop the flow of water the moment a flexi hose burst. Unfortunately, the blog post had to be brought down as it is no longer manufactured.
While there is a market for such a valve to be made available, it’s important to prepare and understand how to reduce the likelihood of a burst flexi hose in your home.
The first step is identifying where you have flexi hoses installed throughout your property.
Where are flexi hoses installed in your home?
Here are the key areas to check if you have braided flexi hoses installed in your home
- Toilet cistern
- Beneath basin connecting tapware
- Under the kitchen sink connecting tapware
- Below laundry tub connecting mixer tap
- Dishwasher
- Chilled/Boiling filtered water units (generally installed under the kitchen sink)
- Fridges with ice/water supply
Once you’ve identified where flexi hoses are installed in your home, learn how to reduce the likelihood of a burst flexi hose in your home.
Test the water pressure to your home
Get your local licensed plumber to test the water pressure to your home. The installation of pressure limiting valve can be a preventative measure to reduce water pressure to all the fixtures in your home.
Water bill reminder to check your hoses
Every time you receive your water bill (for most households it is quarterly), make it your reminder to check all the braided hoses in your home. If any of the hoses have rust, corrosion, are kinked/twisted or have frayed steel threads, get your plumber out to replace asap. These deteriorated flexible hoses are a burst waiting to happen.
Replace flexi hoses every 5 to 10 Years
Replace your braided hoses every 5 years or earlier if signs of wear can be seen. The general consensus amongst plumbers is to replace every 5-10 years.
Remove all chemicals and cleaners from Cabinetry
Keep cleaners and chemicals away from your flexi hoses as this can cause premature wear and reduce the lifespan of your flexi hoses.
Install an isolation tap to every water point with a Flexi Hose
Ensure every flexi hose has its own isolation tap. If you replace a flexi hose in your home, get your plumber to install an isolation tap. This will allow you to isolate the water to that flexi hose which can save time if it ever bursts.
Relying on the water meter at the front of the house can take up precious minutes causing further water damage. Make it easier on your future self to have a stop tap on each flexible hose connection.
This can also be of benefit if the flexi hose bursts in the middle of the night.
Test your water meter tap
Most people don’t check their water meter unless they’ve received a high water bill or need to turn off the water for an emergency. If you have a burst flexi hose, it’s the worst time to discover your water meter is difficult to turn off or fails to isolate the water to your home.
Install an additional water stop valve into your property
If your plumber has installed stop taps to all water connections in your home, there may be no need for an additional stop valve. But if you haven’t got individual stop taps, consider getting your plumber to install a ball valve in an easy location. This can help to isolate water without relying on your water meter.
Turn off water when heading away
When you head away on holidays, turn the water off to your property. This will prevent arriving home to unexpected water damage while you’re away.
What to do if your water meter doesn’t turn off and you have a burst flexi hose?
If you are in the unfortunate predicament where you can’t isolate the water to your home:
- Is it the hot water flexi hose that’s burst? Turn off your hot water unit as this will isolate the hot water feed.
- Is it the cold water flexi hose that’s burst? Turn on the hose tap at the front of your property – this will ease the flow of the cold water feed to your burst flexi.
- Call an emergency plumber as soon as possible.
- Advise your insurer and keep the flexi hose to present to the assessor. If there is any rust or corrosion on the hose, it may not be covered by insurance. You may also not be covered if you can’t provide the flexi hose for assessment. Check your exclusions under Escape of Liquid events in your insurer’s Product Disclosure Statement.
The damage caused by a burst flexi hose can be a costly inconvenience. You can certainly reduce the likelihood by following the simple measures above.
Disclaimer: This post was originally published February 2022 and has been updated with new information. The information is intended to be of a general nature only. The Plumbette does not accept any legal responsibility for any loss incurred as a result of reliance upon it – please make your own decisions and enquiries to suit your household.
