Flexible water connection. Flexible water supply: technical specifications

Features of flexible water supply

When planning a home water supply and gasification system, newfangled and convenient devices are increasingly being used today. For example, in order to connect a washing or dishwasher, a boiler, a toilet bowl, as well as appliances that use water, you no longer need to fasten steel pipes together with clamps, forming a whole bulky metal structure. It is enough to use flexible water connections, which will greatly simplify the entire system. At the same time, flexible pipes are easy to connect to plumbing and gas equipment, high-quality and reliable in operation.

Flexible water supply is a movable hose of various lengths, which can vary from 30 centimeters to 5 meters. At the ends on both sides of the hose there are fittings or nuts with rubber seals-gaskets.

Benefits of a flexible water supply:

1. Compactness and not bulkiness are the main advantages of flexible eyeliners. As a result, space is saved when connecting toilets, sinks, and baths to the water supply.
2. Flexibility - the hose connected to the washing machine allows you to move it to the wall or to the side.
3. No need to use welding when connecting. It is enough to tighten the nut of the flexible connection tightly, not forgetting to install a rubber or silicone seal.
4. It is quite possible to connect a flexible eyeliner yourself.
5. High practicality and external aesthetics of flexible eyeliners.
6. Water hammer resistance.
7. Reliability at work.
8. Durability - some types of flexible eyeliners can last half a century.
9. Flexible hoses are resistant to vibrations and minor damage.

In production, they are made from various materials. Water connections are made of stainless steel, as well as with an aluminum braid, gas connections are made of polymers.

Requirements for flexible water pipes:

1. The main requirement is tightness. If the flexible hose is properly attached to the plumbing, it should not let water through.
2. The sealing gasket at the ends of the hose must be made of quality materials.
3. The thread on the nut must not be damaged.
4. A rubber seal is required.

According to their classification, flexible water pipes are divided into the following types:

• bellows;
• reinforced;
• from stainless steel.

Bellows flexible water connection

Bellows flexible water connection made of stainless steel. The diameter ranges from 12 mm to 34. And the length is up to 200 centimeters. The corrugated steel sleeve is stretched to the desired length during installation. There is a gasket on the brass nut with high temperature melting. It is worth noting that low-quality brass can oxidize from moisture, so it is better to buy hoses from trusted brands.

Flexible bellows water supply is resistant to high temperatures, withstands from - 50 to + 250 degrees. Due to this property, it is most often used to connect to a central heating system. Bellows flexible water supply is not cheap. Its price varies from 200 to 500 rubles. The cost also depends on its size.

Stainless steel bellows is very durable, its service life can reach 25 years or more. Corrugated bellows connections are used both for water supply and for gasification.

Advantages of bellows flexible water connection:

• made of high quality steel;
• resistant to water hammer;
• durable;
• not afraid of low ambient temperatures;
• hygienic and safe for health;
• does not burn;
• Can withstand water temperatures up to 250 degrees.

Flaws:

• high price.

Reinforced flexible water line

Reinforced water line is one of the most commonly used types of water lines. It is made of rubber wrapped in stainless steel. The maximum temperature of the working fluid that the hose passes is 90 degrees. Ideal for attaching to a boiler, toilet, washing machine, and often a flexible reinforced liner is purchased just for this purpose. The rubber hose of different lengths is wrapped with red and stainless steel. blue flowers. Nuts or fittings with threads and seals are attached to the two ends of the hose. It is not suitable for the heating system, as it will not withstand too high temperatures. The price of a flexible reinforced rubber eyeliner for water is much lower than a bellows one. But such flexible hoses wear out much faster.

The guaranteed shelf life of the reinforced water line is 2 years. But with proper maintenance, it can last longer.

Benefits of reinforced water line:

• environmental friendliness;
• speed of installation;
• ease of installation;
• made of durable materials;
• flexibility.

Flaws:

• with frequent kinks, the metal braid wears out;
• rapid wear of rubber in contact with water.

Flexible stainless steel water line

The connecting flexible hose must be made of stainless materials that are not subject to corrosion. The durability and quality of work of flexible eyeliners directly depends on this. The price of a flexible stainless steel water supply is quite acceptable. Thereby given type flexible hoses are very common among consumers. The length of such a water supply ranges from 500 cm to 1 meter.

When choosing a flexible stainless steel water connection, it is important not to confuse it with a flexible stainless steel connection for gas equipment. Gas pipes are categorically not suitable for connecting to plumbing, as they can rust and leak. The question immediately arises, how can stainless steel hoses rust? The answer is simple: for gas equipment with stainless steel connections, the tips, that is, fittings or nuts, are made of ordinary steel. Therefore, when using gas flexible pipes for water supply, they will soon rust and begin to leak water. The shelf life is quite long, but rubber gaskets may wear out over time.

Benefits of a flexible stainless steel water connection:

• the material from which the hose is made is resistant to corrosion;
• low price;
• resistance to fire;
• not afraid of sub-zero temperatures;
• ease of fastening.

Flaws:

• with weak fastening, as well as poor-quality gasket on the thread, flexible piping for hot water may leak at the attachment point.

Before attaching a flexible hose to a faucet, toilet, washing machine, or heating system, it is important to check it for damage to the hose itself, threads, or possible manufacturing defects. The fastening radius must be no more than 0.4 Nm. During installation, it is important that the hose is not twisted. Having attached a flexible hose, it is necessary to immediately check its throughput. The hose must not leak. If drops appear at the attachment point, it must be tightened.

It is important to fix the flexible water supply in such a way that it can be easily reached for a preventive check of the fastening or if it begins to leak after the expiration date.

No one is immune from the acquisition of low-quality material. Therefore, it is necessary to make purchases with the availability of appropriate certificates, in specialized and trusted stores.

For each individual case, one or another flexible eyeliner is useful. Basically, each of the flexible hose options is suitable for mounting in a domestic water supply system. Durable flexible water pipes are made from high quality materials. Naturally, their cost depends on this.

You can buy a flexible water supply in any store or online store that sells appliances, plumbing or all sorts of little things needed in the household.

A flexible stainless steel hose is used to connect a faucet, toilet bowl and other devices to. When choosing a suitable product, you need to be guided by the main parameters, which are discussed in detail in this article.

The main parameters for choosing an eyeliner

The selection of a flexible hose should be based on the following basic parameters:

• type of eyeliner;
• scope of the device;
• hose dimensions;
• ways to connect the product.

Types of flexible piping

The following types of flexible water pipes are currently produced:

• bellows. The corrugated eyeliner is made of stainless steel and has higher operating parameters.

Which is better eyeliner bellows or reinforced? Comparative characteristics are given in the table.

Any eyeliner can be:

The choice of eyeliner depending on the application

The piping can be used to connect cold and hot water. The assignment is defined as follows:

• flexible hot water piping is distinguished by the presence of a red thread in the braid;

• flexible eyeliner cold water marked with a blue braided thread.

To avoid misunderstandings when using eyeliner, experts recommend purchasing universal flexible hoses that are suitable for connecting water of any temperature. Universal eyeliners are distinguished by the presence of threads of both colors in the braid.

Selection of optimal sizes

How to choose eyeliner size? When determining the overall characteristics of the eyeliner, it is necessary to take into account:

• hose diameter. You can determine the indicator based on the water consumption of a particular plumbing equipment. It is considered optimal: for connecting a toilet bowl - 8 mm, for supplying water to a sink (kitchen sink) - 10 mm, for a bath - 15 mm;
• hose length. The hose must be connected in such a way that the hose is not too tight and does not form unnecessary kinks. Any defect when connecting the eyeliner leads to a decrease in the service life of the product.

Giant flexible eyeliner deserves special attention. It differs from standard products in an increased diameter, as well as increased resistance to mechanical stress and stress. The Giant also has thickened walls, which further increase its reliability.

Possible connection methods

When buying a hose, it is important to consider how to connect the piping to plumbing equipment and pipes. The flexible hose can be equipped with:

• union nut, which is installed on the outer;
• thread for internal connection;

• fitting that is connected to the mixer.

When selecting connecting elements, it is important to take into account not only their type, but also the dimensions of the fitting or thread. Otherwise, an adapter is required to connect the device.

About the varieties of eyeliners, the history of occurrence, areas of application are described in detail in the video.

1. rubber (reinforced) eyeliner must be made of high quality rubber. Only in this case it can be used to connect drinking water. It is possible to distinguish high-quality rubber from low-quality by smell. Poor-quality rubber has a sharp unpleasant odor;
2. the braid of the reinforced eyeliner must be integral. The presence of burrs, kinks and other deformations will reduce the service life of the product;
3. hose flexibility. The parameter is checked in the following way. It is necessary to take the eyeliner by one end and hold it in a vertical position. If the eyeliner bends smoothly, then the hose has sufficient flexibility and integrity. A sharp drop (kink) in the eyeliner indicates the use of a low-quality hose or the presence of a hidden defect;
4. tip crimping. Weak compression of the tip is a negative characteristic of the eyeliner and leads to a decrease in the period of operation of the product;
5. connection material. Nuts and fittings can be made of aluminum, steel or brass. Aluminum is highly susceptible to mechanical stress. Steel is subject to corrosion. Therefore, the best option is connecting elements made of brass;

You can check the connection material for weight. Aluminum, unlike brass, is a lightweight material.

1. manufacturer. It is more advisable to purchase eyeliners from well-known companies that guarantee the quality of their products. The following companies can be distinguished:

• "Monolith" (Russia). Flexible eyeliners are produced under the Monoflex brand;
• Neva LLC (Russia). Eyeliners with Aqualine logo;
• Grohe (Germany);
• Lavita (Korea);
• Altstream (Turkey).

A properly selected and installed water supply, subject to all the operating conditions of the product indicated on the package, can last a long period of time. Poor-quality eyeliner can fail already on the 3rd - 5th day of use.

Until relatively recently, in apartments one could observe complex interchanges from standard steel water pipes, to which washbasins, showers, special household appliances, as well as drain cisterns toilets. With the advent of hoses in a protective metal sheath on the plumbing market, plumbing communications began to look more accurate.

Features of flexible plumbing

At present, when creating household plumbing communications, all kinds of convenient devices are increasingly being used. So, for example, to connect household appliances that require water, and various plumbing fixtures, there is no longer a need to connect metal pipes to each other and, as a result, create rather bulky structures. Now you can use quite convenient and protected hoses that simplify the creation of a home plumbing system. In addition, flexible pipes are reliable in operation and quite easy to connect to various household plumbing fixtures.

The water supply is a flexible tube made of non-toxic rubber in a protective sheath made of a metal or polymer thread, as well as stainless steel. The length can vary from 300 to 5000 mm. At both ends of the flexible water supply, it is possible to connect on the principle of fitting-fitting, nut-nut and fitting-nut to pipes with a diameter of 1, 1/2, 3/4 and 3/8 inches.

Benefits, requirements and classification

Water hoses in a protective metal sheath have many advantages over conventional steel pipes:

• the main advantage is compactness, which saves space;
• design flexibility - connection to household appliances allows you to freely move it to another place;
• the ability to do without welding when connecting plumbing fixtures. Tighten the nut with a silicone or rubber seal tightly;
• the possibility of independent connection of plumbing fixtures;
• practicality and aesthetic appearance;
• reliability in use;
• tolerance of hydrological shocks;
• duration of operation;
• vibration resistance;
• low cost.

Flexible hoses are made from polymers with an aluminum or stainless steel braid. They must provide a tight connection and not let water through. Gaskets for flexible hoses must be made of high quality material, and the connecting thread must not be damaged in any way.

Water hoses in a metal braid are divided into:

• reinforced;
• bellows;
• stainless steel products.

Flexible bellows type plumbing

Bellows eyeliner is made of stainless steel and has a diameter of 12 to 34 mm and a length of up to 2000 mm. During installation, the steel corrugated hose can be stretched to the required length. The brass nut has a high melting point gasket. It should be noted that low-quality brass can oxidize under the influence of moisture, which is not the best way to affect the duration of operation, so you should purchase hoses from trusted manufacturers.

Bellows-type water hoses with sheath are able to withstand temperatures from -50˚C to +250˚C, which is why they are most often used for connection to a centralized heating system. Such a hose is not cheap and the price depends on its size. Bellows water supply has a service life of up to 25 years or more.

Advantages:

• made of high quality steel;
• resistance to water hammer;
• long service life;
• possibility of use in a wide temperature range;
• hygiene and safety for health;
• incombustibility.

• high price.

In cases where it is necessary to connect plumbing or any household appliances to the water supply, it is usually used flexible eyeliner. This method of connection is quite reliable and very convenient to install and use, which has led to its considerable popularity. Many can hardly remember that earlier devices were connected to communications in a different way.

But the great popularity and high demand for flexible piping has another side - a considerable number of offers of dubious quality in the construction market. At a time when quality, together with the correct installation of a flexible hose, is the main guarantee of its long and trouble-free service. What do you need to know in order to choose a quality water supply?

The most important

The first most important component of a flexible liner is rubber hose, which is covered with a metal braid. In high quality products, such hoses are made of ethylene propylene rubber, which is a special non-toxic rubber and has the EPDM brand. It is completely harmless, and can be used for drinking water pipelines, since it does not release any substances harmful to human health into the water.

This material perfectly tolerates heating up to +95 ° C, and can be used in hot water and heating networks. When buying an eyeliner, be sure to ask the seller what material the hose is made of.

The second very important element of any flexible eyeliner is outer braided hose. It provides the rubber hose with additional strength, protecting it from mechanical external influences and water hammer, which can damage the flexible hose.

Usually, stainless steel filament is used as the braiding material. Such material has a service life of at least 10 years, and will withstand pressures of over 10 atmospheres. Cheaper eyeliners use aluminum thread, which shortens the life of the braid.

There is also a galvanized steel thread braid, which has the lowest cost, but is unlikely to last more than one year. After all, often condensation forms on the surface of the eyeliner, which quickly destroys such material.

The third component of flexible eyeliner, on which its quality depends - union which is usually made of brass. The braided rubber hose is connected to the fitting with a steel sleeve. In addition to the fitting, the flexible hose can have union collars at the ends, to which gaskets are included.

The quality of brass determines the durability and quality of the connection of the fitting (or nut) with household appliances and plumbing. If low-quality brass or a completely different material is used in the liner, the fitting may be deformed already at the installation stage, which will later lead to leaks or even cracks in its body. Low-quality brass usually oxidizes very quickly during operation.

What is a flexible eyeliner

Now, when connecting equipment and household appliances to the water supply network, two types of connections are used:

• Flexible rubber hoses in steel braid.
• Bellows sleeves, which provide an even better connection.

The advantage of flexible hoses made of rubber with a metal braid is simple technology their production, and hence the low cost of such products. This explains the widespread use of this type of flexible eyeliner.

Among such flexible hoses, special anti-vibration hoses are also produced, which are distinguished by an increased diameter of the hose (27mm - 64mm), due to which various noises and vibrations from operating pumps in household appliances or water pipes are significantly reduced.

The second type of eyeliner - bellows metal hoses is a corrugated metal hose with rolled sleeves that are welded to the sleeve. All parts of such an eyeliner that come into contact with water are made of stainless steel. In our plumbing market, you can only find imported eyeliner of this type.

Secrets of installing flexible piping

As already mentioned, the second factor that affects the durability of the eyeliner is its correct installation. To do this, you need to follow some fairly simple rules:

• to establish a connection, you must use only an eyeliner with an intact braid, thread, well-compressed sleeve. Therefore, you need to carefully check the eyeliner before installation;
• observe the bending radius, which should be 5-6 times the diameter of the hose. Usually, the value of the bending radius is indicated in the passport for the product, which is completed with eyeliners from good manufacturers;
• do not twist the hose or its tension both during installation and at its end;
• do not apply excessive force when tightening the union nuts or the handpiece. This can lead to the destruction of the fitting, damage to the seal and loss of tightness of the connection;
• The tightness of the connection is checked within 30 minutes after installation. If water drops appear, slightly tighten the connection;
• do not heat the eyeliner near an open fire or other powerful sources of thermal radiation;
• Regularly (once every six months) check the tightness of the flexible hose connection. Take care in advance of the possibility of quick access to the hose.

What threatens the purchase of low-quality flexible eyeliner

Simplified, the manufacturing process of a flexible water supply can be described as follows: a rubber hose of the desired diameter is braided with steel thread and cut into pieces of a certain length. After that, stainless steel sleeves are inserted into each end of the hose, to which union nuts or fittings are already attached. Then, using a metal sleeve, the braid and hose are crimped around the sleeve, after which the eyeliner is ready for use.

This simple production process allows unscrupulous manufacturers to reduce the cost of goods, reducing its quality at different stages of production. As a result, the installed low-quality piping is the most common cause of flooding of your apartment, and the neighbors' housing from below.

The reason for such situations is poor-quality metal from which the sleeves are made or weak compression, short-lived braid and too thin rubber in the hose.

The manufacture of durable and high-quality flexible piping is possible only with the help of modern equipment and high-quality materials, which, of course, is reflected in the cost of the finished product. Quality products always have an accompanying passport, which indicates the warranty period of operation and the total service life of the product. Typically, the warranty period is 2 years, and the service life of the eyeliner is 10 years. In order not to purchase a fake, we recommend that you purchase such products in large, trusted stores.

Flexible hose is a hose made of elastic material, protected by a metal braid with fasteners at the ends. It is used to connect communications in hard-to-reach places (faucets, showers, toilets), where it is difficult to do this with the help of rigid pipes. An eyeliner or flexible hose for water or gas can be made of various materials. This results in a difference in the quality of flexible hoses and a different service life.

Product quality and cost

For example, flexible eyeliner from the STOUT brand is a great option for those who are used to choosing high quality without the need for overpayments. Products are manufactured in factories in Italy, where every stage is controlled production process. The same factories supply goods to eminent brands of an expensive segment. However, STOUT's pricing policy allows customers to purchase quality goods at an affordable price - there is no increase in cost due to a promoted name.

Flexible piping is available in diameters from 3/8" to 1 ¼", lengths from 400mm to 1000mm. This means that among the STOUT assortment you will definitely find desired product which will serve reliably for many years.

Materials from which flexible eyeliners are made

By design, a flexible eyeliner is a rubber hose, which provides proper softness and elasticity.

A high-quality flexible water supply should be made with a non-toxic rubber hose. Cheap copies are made of technical rubber.

Video: Flexible eyeliner, what to look for when choosing

From above, the flexible hose is covered with a braid. It can be made from aluminium, stainless steel or nylon.

• Flexible water or gas connections reinforced with aluminum are guaranteed to last up to 3 years, and then at your own risk. These devices can work properly at pressures up to 5 atmospheres and temperatures up to 80 degrees.

The main disadvantage of aluminum is that it corrodes when exposed to a high humidity environment (for example, a bath or bath) for a long time. As a result, the metal flexible hose for water is destroyed and leads to the destruction of the rubber hose and leakage.

• Stainless steel eyeliner lives much longer - up to 10 years, and withstands pressure up to 10 atmospheres at temperatures up to 95 degrees. The conditions in which this device can operate are found almost everywhere, so stainless steel is the most common flexible eyeliner.

• Reinforced flexible water leash is made with a nylon braid. Service life - up to 15 years, maximum pressure 20 atmospheres, maximum temperature - 110 degrees. Such eyeliners, although they are of better quality, are rarely used, since usually the conditions for which they are adapted are rare.
• The bellows-type liner is particularly resistant and has a long service life. If on the types listed above the outer sheath is made of a metal braid, then in this case the sheath is a one-piece corrugated hose, which is more durable, but at the same time does not lose its flexibility.

How to choose a flexible eyeliner

In order for flexible eyeliner to serve for a long time, it is necessary to choose it correctly.

• Before choosing a flexible piping, you should find out the water temperature and pressure in your system, and you should buy a product that meets these parameters;
• Regarding the same parameters, as well as the environment in which the flexible hose will work, you should choose the material from which it is made. In order not to buy an aluminum hose at the price of stainless steel, you need to weigh it in your hands. Aluminum should be significantly lighter;
• Reliable flexible water supply should be soft. If it is not endowed with such a property, it threatens to break the flexible hose. It is easy to check elasticity and softness. It is necessary to take the eyeliner by one end: if it takes a vertical (hanging) position, then it is elastic enough, if its position is almost horizontal, then it is too hard;
• The fittings, which are located at the ends of the flexible hose, must be free of cracks, and their sleeves must be pressed completely around their circumference, capturing the material of the braid.

Flexible hose fittings should be made of brass, a metal that will not rust. There are instances of eyeliners in which these elements are made of aluminum or plastic. In the case of aluminum fittings, they will rust and become unusable in a humid environment, while plastic fittings will simply break over time by themselves in any environment. So paying for stainless steel in this case is pointless.

• If a characteristic chemical smell comes out of the flexible hose, then it is made of technical rubber. The smell can remain for a long time, and also such material is characterized by fragility and low elasticity. Therefore, it is better to avoid these instances.

• Flexible water connections differ in temperature indicators - there are for cold and for hot water. Hoses for cold water are marked with a blue tape woven into a metal braid, for hot - red, universal - both.
• The flexible metal hose must be fitted with a secure union nut. For low-quality specimens, this nut may be too thin, which may crack and break during tightening or operation.

Video: Mixer. Choice of flexible hose. Connection.

If the eyeliner is not chosen correctly (or too cheap), then you can get the result in the form of an early leak, which can happen suddenly. A gas leak would be especially dangerous. When buying hoses, pay attention to working pressure and service life.

Choice between gas and water connection

Sometimes a flexible gas leash is installed on the water supply. This happens in order to save money (gas is lying around somewhere, but you don’t want to buy water), ignorance or incompetence of sellers (they gave bad advice). In fact, this cannot be done, and the gas supply should only transport gas. And there are two reasons for this.

Gas connections are usually equipped with aluminum fittings, even if the rubber hose braid is made of stainless steel. This means that they will rust in wet conditions, and soon become unusable, begin to leak.

Flexible water connections undergo special certification and are environmentally friendly for humans. This is necessary, as they pass through themselves drinking water. Gas pipes do not pass such certification, respectively, they can be hazardous to health, poisonous.

Therefore, only bellows types of flexible connections can be used in gas pipelines.

Video: What is the danger of a gas bellows hose.