The other day, Maurice and I were standing in the kitchen discussing flexible plumbing hoses. As you do.
We started counting the people we knew who had experienced a burst flexi hose under a kitchen sink, bathroom basin or ensuite vanity. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Actually, six. And that was before we widened the survey beyond the two people standing beside the kettle. We were on the list ourselves.
In every case, a small and spectacularly uninteresting hose had failed. Water had escaped into cupboards, plasterboard, flooring and adjoining rooms. Some people had to move out while their homes were dried, stripped and repaired.
All because of a plumbing component that costs very little, lives quietly under the sink and receives approximately no attention whatsoever. Until it bursts.
Meet the Flexi Hose
Open the cupboard under your kitchen sink and have a look upwards. You will probably see one or two flexible braided water pipes connecting your tap to the water supply. They are more commonly called flexi hoses and generally have a rubber tube on the inside with braided stainless steel on the outside.
You may also find them:
- under bathroom and ensuite basins
- behind toilets
- in the laundry
- connected to dishwashers and washing machines
- attached to water filters and other plumbed appliances
They became common with the rise of mixer taps because they are inexpensive, convenient and much easier to install than fixed copper pipework. Unfortunately, they do not last forever.
Flexible braided water pipes are considered a leading cause of internal water leaks in Australian homes - what insurers often describe as an escape of water. They can fail because of age, corrosion, poor-quality materials, incorrect installation, excessive water pressure, twisting or kinking.
And when one lets go, it does not drip politely into a bucket. It can release a great deal of water, very quickly. Especially if you are at work or away for the weekend. These hoses have an uncanny sense of when they could do the most damage.
How Can Such a Small Hose Cause So Much Damage?
The hose is connected to your pressurised water supply. If it bursts, the water pours out under pressure and generally keeps coming until someone notices. It runs into the cupboard, through the cabinetry and under the flooring. If the hose is upstairs, the water may also travel through the ceiling below. If you live in an apartment, your neighbour downstairs may be the first person to notice the soggy surprise.
By the time it is discovered, you may be looking at:
- swollen cupboards and skirting boards
- damaged timber, laminate or carpet
- wet insulation and plasterboard
- electrical damage
- mould and drying equipment
- builders, plumbers, assessors and insurance claims
- weeks or months of disruption
Polyester insulation does not absorb water in the way some insulation materials do, which may reduce the damage to the insulation itself. However, any wet building materials still need to be properly assessed and dried. The original hose will probably be the least expensive item involved in the entire performance.
Why Haven't They Been Banned?
That was our question too. The answer is that a good-quality, correctly installed and properly maintained flexi hose can do its job perfectly well. Until it doesn't.
It is cheaper and easier to install than fixed copper pipework. One could cynically call this another instance of dodgy economics kicking the can down the road for someone else to pick up the tab. These hoses are usually hidden inside cupboards. Nobody tells the homeowner when they were installed, when they should be replaced or that they need checking at all.
We replace smoke alarm batteries. We service cars. We clean gutters. We renew insurance. But almost nobody has “check the tiny hoses capable of quietly destroying the house” written in the calendar.
So let's change that.
What Should You Look For?
You do not need to dismantle anything. Just open every cupboard containing plumbing, move the cleaning products out of the way and take a good look.
Watch for:
- rust or discolouration
- broken, frayed or unravelled braiding
- bulges or swelling
- cracking
- kinks or sharp bends
- dampness around either end
- water marks inside the cupboard
- swelling in cabinetry or skirting boards
- a hose that is stretched, twisted or rubbing against something
- a missing, unreadable or expired date label
If you see any of these, don't wait to see what happens next. Contact a licensed plumber.
And do not assume that a hose is fine simply because it looks fine. The inner tube can deteriorate without putting on a helpful visual display first.
How Often Should Flexi Hoses Be Replaced?
Advice varies, with a typical lifespan often given as five to ten years. RACV recommends replacing flexi hoses every five to ten years, while NRMA advises checking the expiry date and notes that the usual lifespan is within that same range. Both recommend regular inspection and prompt replacement of damaged hoses. RACV NRMA Insurance
We would take the cautious approach:
Check every flexi hose in your home every six months and have it replaced at least every five years—or earlier if the manufacturer specifies, its age is unknown or anything looks doubtful.
If you have just moved into a home and nobody knows how old the hoses are, put them on the list for your plumber straight away. Five years can disappear remarkably quickly. Put a recurring reminder in your calendar now. Do not rely on remembering which year the bathroom tap was installed. Most of us cannot remember why we walked into the laundry. 😅
Please Don't Make This a DIY Adventure
Whether you are on town water or tank water, these hoses are connected to a pressurised water supply. A tank water system can still deliver plenty of pressure through its pump.
A hose can fail because it has been overtightened, undertightened, twisted, kinked or incorrectly matched to the fitting. The quality and suitability of the replacement matter too.
Ask a licensed plumber to inspect and replace the hoses. They can also check whether excessive water pressure may be putting additional strain on your plumbing.
If you have several flexi hoses of a similar age, it makes sense to deal with them together. Paying for one plumbing visit is considerably less exciting than paying the excess on a major water-damage claim.
While the plumber is in your home, consider asking for a general plumbing health check. They can look for leaks, ageing fittings and anything else that may be quietly preparing an expensive surprise.
Know Where Your Water Shut-Off Valve Is
Every adult in the house should know how to turn off the water supply. Not approximately where the valve might be. Actually know where it is and how to operate it.
If you use tank water, also know how to switch off the pump.
If a hose bursts:
- Turn off the water supply immediately.
- Switch off the tank pump, if applicable.
- Keep clear of electrical fittings or appliances affected by water.
- Call an emergency plumber.
- Contact your insurer if damage has occurred.
- Photograph the damage before clean-up, where it is safe to do so.
The faster the water is stopped, the less house it gets to saturate.
Your Five-Minute Job for Today
Before you leave this page:
- Open the cupboards under every sink and basin.
- Check the flexi hoses for corrosion, fraying, bulging, twisting and leaks.
- Check behind the toilets and around plumbed appliances.
- Work out when the hoses were last replaced.
- Put a six-monthly inspection reminder in your calendar.
- If they are approaching five years old—or nobody knows their age—book a licensed plumber.
That is it.
This has nothing to do with insulation, draught proofing or energy efficiency—thermal or otherwise. It has everything to do with keeping your home comfortable, usable and blissfully free of industrial drying fans.
A flexible braided water pipe is a small, boring and easily forgotten part of your home. Please check yours before it becomes interesting.
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