flexi hose

In message , stuart noble writes

They do seem ubiquitous:-(

This is rather concerning as I am about to fit a dozen or so on a pressurised system.

Is there much of a choice on quality? SF/TS or reputable plumbing outlet?

Its important to not damage them on installation - so not kinking or twisting the flexi bit too much.

Looking at the JG Speedfit spec, max temp is 65C. I'm not quite sure what temp our hot water is, but it must be close to 65C. Anyway, I'm not surprised that it was the OP's hot water side that split rather than cold.

You could try these:

They are designed for central heating systems, so ought to survive hot water.

New kitchen fitted pushing 10 years ago. After 4 years a hose split under the sink and made a right mess. We are insured for leaks - not my idea. Out comes plumber and replaced both hoses. Both were kinked, other one was not far off splitting. Bloody kitchen fitters!

At £63 a hose!

In Turkey they use flexi hoses, I dont know about quality but people that owned property replaced them every 3 years as a matter of course.

They specify 65C for flexi connectors with plastic ends (pushfit or nuts) and 85C for some of their flexi connectors with metal nuts on the ends.

Yes £63 but for a pair. Toolstation a fraction of that price. Get what you pay for? Who knows?

I have very big hands that just will not reach behind the kitchen sink. I tried it. I understand that flexi hoses are feeding the bath taps, fitted by a respected heating engineer. I'm not inclined to take the bath panel out to replace the hoses.

I had the same thing happen on a bath hot water feed after 4 years use. 1st floor flat, made a mess. I now replace them at the first signs of discoloration and get them from Wi ckes because their website says they are WRAS approved (although this is no t stamped on the product or printed on the packaging - so I have my doubts) rather than from Screwfix because they are not WRAS approved.

st floor flat, made a mess.

Wickes because their website says they are WRAS approved (although this is not stamped on the product or printed on the packaging - so I have my doubt s) rather than from Screwfix because they are not WRAS approved.

Even the named brands that are WRAS approved are similar in price to SF etc .

I wonder about John Rumm's comment re twisting and kinking. As this was a d

-i-y job, always tricky under a sink, that could have been a factor. Well, now it's a g-s-i job as hands and knees working is out for me.

m Wickes because their website says they are WRAS approved (although this i s not stamped on the product or printed on the packaging - so I have my dou bts) rather than from Screwfix because they are not WRAS approved.

d-i-y job, always tricky under a sink, that could have been a factor. Well , now it's a g-s-i job as hands and knees working is out for me.

There was no twisting or kinking but I did suspect a leak around the bath m ixer, not enough to drip onto the floor but the braiding was rusted through in places.

e. 1st floor flat, made a mess.

rom Wickes because their website says they are WRAS approved (although this is not stamped on the product or printed on the packaging - so I have my d oubts) rather than from Screwfix because they are not WRAS approved.

a d-i-y job, always tricky under a sink, that could have been a factor. We ll, now it's a g-s-i job as hands and knees working is out for me.

mixer, not enough to drip onto the floor but the braiding was rusted throu gh in places.

Oh, you mean the stainless steel braid! :-)

China's finest!

I think the WRAS approval relates to not growing a microbio film on the inside of the hose which can harbour legionella, and not so much about longevity or leaking.

At SF I can't pay over a fiver for a 300mm hose, so I guess branded and unb randed are all pretty much the same, and presumably all stainless.....? The failure on mine I have to put down to kinking. I did the taps, then pushed the unit back to the wall, during the course of which it's conceivable the edpm got twisted. Bad move in retrospect

There is also possibility if the tap and fixed pipe are not in line and you use a flexi that is just long enough.

Selco's April special offer: 300mm Flexitap connectors with isolating valve . £1.99 + vat.