Flexible water connection: photo, video, how to choose a bellows water hose

A flexible water supply will help you connect a faucet, toilet, water heater and other plumbing fixtures even in the most inconvenient locations. It will allow you to abandon rigid pipes that require a large number of connections, and do without calling a specialist. Let's find out how to choose and connect a flexible plumbing hose correctly so as not to flood your neighbors later.

Bellows flexible water connection: stainless steel as a guarantee of long-term operation

Thanks to the advent of modern flexible water hoses, connecting household appliances that require central water supply has become significantly easier. Now there is no need to carry out welding work to grow the pipe - just install a flexible hose. Flexible water supply is considered the most modern and safe option. High-quality materials used in manufacturing guarantee a long service life in different conditions.

The bellows water supply is a corrugated hose made of stainless steel.

Installation Tips

No seals for the union nut are required to install the hose. Not all people know about this, so they wrap a special seal around the place where the union nut of the liner is screwed on. Flax or regular electrical tape is used as a seal. Most hoses have a special rubber gasket, which is located under the union nut. Tightening the nut does not require the use of great force or special tools. Usually this is all done by hand. Only in some cases is it permissible to use a spanner to tighten the nut. Most often this is done because the liner is in a hard-to-reach place or there is insufficient strength to tighten it (but this happens very rarely).

Installation of the liner must not be carried out under tension. That is, if there is not enough length, lengthen the structure or replace the eyeliner with a longer version. Otherwise, if you still manage to install the flexible line in tension, it will soon break out of the base of the fitting or be damaged in some other place. In this case, the eyeliner, unfortunately, will not be able to work for a long time. When installing, make sure that the supply hose is in a free position. This will protect the structure from premature failure. The eyeliner should not bend too much, that is, if it bends at a slight angle, then this is normal. But if it bends in half, then this is wrong. It is necessary to install additional corners or use a longer liner so that a larger radius is created when bending.

Important! When tightening the liner, make sure that it does not turn or wrinkle the braid. Doing these is strictly prohibited. Otherwise, the material will crack or tear over time. The hose must be level when installed.

When tightening the union nut, be careful not to overtighten it. This most often happens when using a wrench. If you tighten too much, there is a risk of damaging the gasket located on the nut. If you twist the union nut, the hose and connection will leak water. Over time, you may flood your downstairs neighbors, which will incur additional repair costs.

When using low-quality hoses, or as a precaution, it is advisable to use a special valve to prevent flooding in the event of damage to the hoses. The most common valve for this purpose is the AQUASTOP valve. Its cost is not too high to neglect protective measures against flooding.

Technical characteristics of the main types of flexible water connections: which is better

In retail outlets you can see a large selection of flexible hoses for water supply from different manufacturers, which differ not only in price, model or functionality, but also in the quality of the materials used, which affect the service life of the product.

The bellows liner can withstand pressure of 20 atmospheres or more.
On a note! When choosing flexible hoses, it is necessary to take into account the quality of the materials used for their manufacture.
The seller must present documents confirming the compliance of the flexible water supply with GOST standards, as well as certificates certifying the quality of the products. A reliable flexible hose should be made of aluminum or stainless steel. The price is affected not only by the material, but also by the presence of additional options. Thus, some manufacturers offer hoses equipped with anti-vibration lines, which have a large cross-sectional diameter. This reduces the noise level when supplying water to a household appliance. To understand which flexible water line is the best, you should familiarize yourself with the technical characteristics of each type.

Rubber hoses. The main advantages of these models are considered to be low cost and the ability to operate under high pressure. Hoses consist of a frame made of strong threads or metal spirals. Rubber is used to cover either the outside or the inside.

Main characteristics:

The maximum pressure level for which rubber reinforced hoses are designed is no more than 10 bar.
The temperature of the liquid that will be supplied through the hose must be within the range from – 50 to +120 ºС.

The bellows hose does not collapse when exposed to negative temperatures.

Safety regulations

Flexible eyeliners must not be hidden in a box or groove

Negligent attitude towards gas appliances, the choice of equipment and unprofessional installation are fraught with gas leaks. It is recommended to follow the following safety rules:

The flexible hose must not be extended with another hose. In each case, only one hose of suitable length is used.
The liner must be made of materials that are resistant to corrosion and oils.
The hose characteristics must match the system parameters.
It is forbidden to hide the eyeliner with a box or place it in a groove.
It is necessary to periodically change the eyeliner in accordance with the periods specified by the manufacturer.

If you have any doubts about the correct installation or your own strengths, you should contact a licensed specialist who is professionally involved in connecting gas equipment.

Briefly about PVC hoses and reinforced hoses: main parameters

Hoses made of polyvinyl chloride (so-called PVC) are highly flexible. Additional rigidity is given to PVC sleeves by a reinforcing spiral placed inside the product.

Main advantages:

light weight;
resistance to chemicals;
smooth internal and ribbed external surfaces for ease of installation;
are not afraid of direct sunlight;
The operating pressure for which the hoses are designed is 15 bar.

The main disadvantage of installing PVC hoses is the small temperature range at which it is permissible to use the device - from -20 to +60 ºС, which does not allow the use of this type of flexible hose for hot water.

Bellows hose for gas stove: (read more)

Reinforced hose, which is a soft braided hose, is made of aluminum, stainless or galvanized steel. The most popular domestic manufacturer producing flexible water hoses is Elka, which offers products in a nut-to-nut design with a cross-sectional diameter of 1/2 inch.

PVC hoses made from polyvinyl chloride are very flexible and light in weight.

Sometimes nylon is used instead of metal braid, but usually these hoses are not used in domestic environments. Technical parameters of various options for reinforced flexible hoses are presented in the table:

Type of reinforced liner	Parameter
Type of reinforced liner	Service life, years	Maximum permissible pressure, bar	Maximum temperature at which operation is possible, ˚С
Galvanized steel and aluminum	No more than three	5	+80
Stainless steel	To 10	10	+95
Nylon	15 and more	Up to 20	+110 and above

Types of gas hoses

Pressure gas hoses are produced by a number of Russian enterprises; on the market you can find goods from Belarus and a wide range of products from Chinese manufacturers.

Almost all hoses presented in the retail chain can be divided into several groups.

Rubber with fabric reinforcement

Rubber hoses with cord are a classic hose that was produced several decades ago and is still a frequent fixture on the market. The flexible rubber gas line has a 9 - 10 mm bore and an outer diameter of 18 mm with 1/2 inch end fittings. A rubber-fabric hose can have American type fittings on both sides or an American type with a fitting equipped with an external thread.

Features of rubber fabric liners:

They have a low cost.
They have good flexibility and elasticity.
Their service life is at least 10 years.
Hoses are poorly protected from damage by sharp objects.
They are not conductors of electric current.
Over time, if the rubber is of poor quality, they may crack, which is a signal to immediately replace the sleeve.
They do not withstand working in an environment with machine oil. This is not critical for using them in the kitchen and may be important when connecting the supply to a gas cylinder in the garage.

Rice. 3 Rubber braided sleeves

Connecting a gas stove - rules for self-connection. The article covers such topics as whether it is possible to connect a gas stove yourself, what is the best way to connect it, as well as the stages of connecting it yourself.

Rubber with outer metal braid

This is the closest analogue of the well-known water liners. In appearance they are absolutely identical with the only difference being that yellow stripes are applied to the braid.

The flexible tube inside these hoses sometimes has a two-layer structure - the inside is coated with a polymer that prevents cracking and leaks, and the outside is vulcanized rubber.

Sometimes the braid is additionally coated with a layer of transparent polymer. This makes it easier and easier to care for its surface.

Features of rubber braided hoses:

Service life up to 10 years when operating in an environment with temperatures up to 50 °C.
Relatively low price and wide range.
Flexibility and elasticity.
Protected from damage to the shell by cutting objects.
The metal braid serves as a conductor of electric current, so when connecting the hose it needs insulating dielectric inserts.
The disadvantages include the impossibility of visual inspection in case of damage or cracks in the rubber casing, leading to leaks. It is for this reason that a flexible gas line made of rubber with braiding is not very often used to connect gas stoves.

Rice. 4 PVC hoses

Reinforced PVC

They are analogues of rubber ones with cord - a reinforcing mesh is placed in the middle of the polyvinyl chloride shell.

Visually, the PVC hose is black (yellow) inside and yellow on top. Its distinctive features:

Low cost in comparison with bellows analogues.
The service life reaches 15 years.
Lighter weight and smaller dimensions in contrast to massive rubber-fabric sleeves.
Average elasticity and flexibility, allowing you to connect gas appliances at relatively small angles of bending of the liner.
Designed for pressure 20 times greater than the pressure in the network.
It is a dielectric and does not require electrical insulating adapters when connecting.

Bellows hoses

Siphon lines are called liners made of corrugated stainless steel pipes; they are used in heating, water supply and are often used to supply gas to appliances. Distinctive features of bellows:

They are more expensive than other polymer eyeliners.
They have an aesthetic appearance.
Withstand pressure up to 6 atmospheres, 200 times higher than the nominal pressure.
The manufacturer guarantees them for at least 10 years, but theoretically they can last 30 years.
Able to withstand temperatures of about 200 °C.
They have the ability to stretch, the angle of inclination and the position of the eyeliner can be fixed in any convenient position.
In high-quality bellows, the threaded fitting and corrugation are made in the form of an all-metal unit - this ensures high reliability of the connection.
They cannot be damaged by sharp cutting objects.
A flexible stainless steel gas supply conducts electric current, which creates a danger of its use in gas stoves that consume electricity. Therefore, when connecting bellows, it is recommended to use dielectric insulating couplings. This leads to higher prices for components and more complicated installation.
The bellows liner for gas also has significant disadvantages - it is more rigid and does not allow small bend angles to be obtained.
When using it, a situation often occurs when, during movement or movement of a gas-consuming device, the shell is damaged and gas passes through it.
Often the bellows liner is placed in a yellow polymer hose - this makes it easier to care for its surface.

Bellows water line: main characteristics

A stainless steel bellows water connection is a corrugated hose, the production of which uses steel marked AISI 304. The hoses are welded or seamless, but the wall thickness is usually standard and is 0.3 mm. The hose is fully equipped with connectors, so-called fittings: this is either a union nut or a fitting coated with nickel or chrome. They are made from materials such as:

brass;
steel;
bronze.

Bellows hoses are subject to strong vibrations, which can cause noise and humming.
Hoses that use brass connectors are characterized by good corrosion resistance, and the price of the product is quite reasonable. The service life is usually 5 years, because the brass nuts are not welded, but are attached to the ends of the hose by soldering. When exposed to high temperatures, the solder seam deteriorates faster.

The best option is considered to be connectors made of stainless steel, as they can withstand high vibration loads and thermal expansion. However, the price of a flexible water line with stainless fittings is much higher than the cost of products with brass connectors, although they can be used much longer - up to 10-15 years.

It is not recommended to choose hoses where the fittings are made of carbon steel, which is not resistant to rust and corrosion, and constant exposure to damp conditions leads to their rapid oxidation. Typically, carbon parts need to be replaced every 2-3 years.

On a note! Reliable fixation and high-quality tightness of connections in the bellows is ensured due to the fact that 2-3 outer corrugated rings undergo a rolling process.

To connect to mixers, bellows hoses must have special small-diameter tubes with external threads.

Shopping centers offer various sizes of flexible hoses for water supply, which differ not only in length, but also in the diameter of the internal section of the nuts. The most popular are flexible water lines of 1.1/2 inches, as well as 2 and 3/4. If you are using a non-standard 3/8 flexible water line, you will need to additionally purchase an adapter before installation. Below is a table of sizes in inches and centimeters:

Section size, inches	Section size, cm
1/2	15
3/4	20
1	25
1 1/4	32
1 1/2	40
2	50
2 1/2	65

Connection rules

The liner in different systems is connected through mounting elements at the ends of the product - union nuts and fittings. The hose model is selected according to its length, type of connection and size of the mounting unit. Fittings are available with cross-sections from 0.5″ to 1.5″. The hose is attached freely, without tension. Otherwise, deformation of the pressed connecting fittings occurs.

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For different diameters of the mixer and pipeline, the liner at one end is fixed through an adapter.

During installation, you must follow the connection rules (SNiP 2.04.01-85).

Before installation in the liner, the fastening of the fittings at the ends is inspected, the presence of gaskets, the quality of the thread and braid are checked.
After installation, you need to check the joints within half an hour to see if there are any leaks. When drops appear at the joints, tighten the nuts.
The bending radius should be more than 5–6 times the outer diameter.
The hose is not stretched or twisted during installation.
When tightening, do not apply excessive force: the seal may be damaged. If there is no experience, tightening is done by hand, followed by a slight tightening with a wrench.
The hose cannot withstand open flame or high temperatures.
Once every six months, the tightness of the fastening is checked and an external inspection of the liner is carried out.
To avoid electrochemical corrosion, pairs of the same metal are connected.
It is recommended to replace the eyeliner at least every 3-5 years.

When installing a flexible hose, it is prohibited:

Use it in constant flow mode.
Install without gaskets or with mechanical damage.
Operate the product at sub-zero temperatures.

The main reasons that made flexible bellows-type water supply popular

The reliability and durability of a bellows water hose is ensured mainly by the material used for manufacturing. High quality steel, used by reliable manufacturers, is durable. The material is resistant to corrosion.

Other technical characteristics of bellows hoses for 1/2 inch water (and other sections):

Tolerate exposure to aggressive acids and other chemical compounds.
They are highly resistant to changes in both pressure inside the pipeline and temperatures.
They are characterized by a long service life - 20 years or more.
They are used in a wide temperature range from – 40 to +250 ºС, which allows the installation of flexible bellows lines for heating.
The working pressure for which the hoses are designed is 1.5-3 MPa. This indicator depends on the cross-section diameter and wall thickness.
They are supplied with paronite sealing gaskets or seals made of copper or fluorine-containing polymer.

Stainless steel bellows connections are durable and therefore not inferior to copper connections, but are much easier to install.
When purchasing, it is important to take into account that the thickness of the sealing gasket should not be less than 2.5 mm, because during operation it is subject to heavy loads. It is also necessary to know the main sign that allows you to distinguish a water hose from a gas hose. The products have different markings: for water – blue or red, and for gas – yellow.

Each individual hose is complemented by a retaining ring, which ensures a tighter fit of the seals and fold to the water pipe or adapter, which is used when the diameter of the hose does not coincide with the diameter of the pipe. Depending on the features of use, all types of bellows hoses can be divided into 2 main groups:

Extended hoses, which are used to supply water to distant household appliances or plumbing fixtures, for example, to a dishwasher, washbasin, shower stall. The length of the hoses varies from 90 cm to 3.5 m, and the standard configuration of the flexible water connection is a fitting-fitting, nut-nut or nut-fitting.
Adapter sleeves. This group includes flexible water connections, the length of which varies from 20 to 100 cm. They are used to directly connect the consumer to the central water supply.

The durability of a stainless steel water line depends on compliance with the rules of its installation.

Technical indicators

The main parameters of a water supply system are pressure and temperature. Standard pressure values differ in different systems:

Centralized water supply - 4 atm.
Autonomous heating of a private house - 1.5–3 atm.
Central heating – 2–4 atm.

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In centralized water supply systems, pressure fluctuations are typical, so it is recommended to choose the strength of the hose with a margin of 20–25%. The table shows the technical characteristics of flexible hoses with different braids.

Braid	Max. pressure, atm	Max. temperature, °C	Durability, years
Aluminum	5	80	3
Stainless steel steel	10	95	10
Nylon	20	110	15

Bellows liner has higher performance, but it is important who the manufacturer is. The hoses are designed for operating pressures up to 16 atm and temperatures up to 150 °C, and the “GIANT” variety of the same type has increased throughput and can withstand temperatures of 250 °C.

The main features and advantages of a bellows flexible water line made of stainless steel

The bellows connection for the mixer has gained popularity due to a large number of advantages relative to other models. If only high-quality metal was used in production, the hose is characterized by increased resistance to sudden water hammer, as well as to oxygen diffusion, which appears due to increased pressure that has arisen inside the network.

Other advantages include the high resistance of the device to fire, the environmental safety of the materials used in production, which allows the hoses to be used in domestic conditions and in any residential premises. Among other product options, a stainless steel bellows pipe is characterized by increased wear resistance, ensuring a long service life, which is at least 2 times longer than the service life of other types of flexible hoses. Thanks to the corrugated base, the bellows is able to maintain and maintain constant pressure along the entire length of the hose, even in the event of a strong bend.

Corrugated stainless steel pipe: (read more)

In addition to the fact that bellows liner is used to connect water or heating, it is often used when installing air conditioning equipment and fire extinguishing systems. The product can be used as a device that provides steam removal during the operation of industrial enterprises that use petroleum products and toxic chemicals.

Flexible stainless steel hoses are available in two options: hoses with a fixed length and folding hoses that can be stretched.

On a note! The large cross-section of the flexible water line (2 inches or 2 1/2) allows the product to be used even in the food industry, thanks to which bulk substances or special liquids are supplied. In everyday life, such a large diameter is often used to drain water from a washing machine.

Despite the fact that bellows flexible stainless steel water connections have a large number of advantages, the products also have some disadvantages. The main one is considered to be lower flexibility compared to rubber hoses. In some cases, this causes certain installation difficulties or requires the use of an additional corner adapter. For example, this situation can be encountered when connecting a small sink, which is located adjacent to the main water pipe, when installing a corrugated hose becomes much more complicated.

Many consider the main disadvantage of bellows liners to be the high price, which is at least 2 times higher than the cost of analogues made from other materials. If we take into account that the guaranteed service life of the bellows hose is 2 times longer, then the high cost is easily offset by this.

Bellows liners cope well with water hammer, unlike rubber hoses.

Bellows water hoses can be used not only for connecting water supply, but also for heating systems. With their help, the radiator is connected to the main heating riser. This advantage is achieved due to the fact that the products are designed to work with high-temperature water, which is not typical for other types of flexible water hoses.

Types of hoses by design

Reinforced

This type of eyeliner is considered the most popular. It includes an outer steel braid and an inner rubberized hose. In this case, the tubes are wrapped in red or blue steel. At the ends of the products there are rubberized seals, nuts and fittings.

The maximum permissible operating temperature for such a pipeline is +90°C, so flexible systems are not used for heating installations. However, these products are convenient for connecting to boilers, clothes washing machines and faucets. Advantages of reinforced hoses:

simple and quick installation;
flexibility;
high level of strength, because This liner is reinforced with a metal alloy.

However, reinforced type eyeliner has a number of disadvantages. The main ones:

wear of the braided coating due to regular bending of the product;
wear of rubberized seals.

Reinforced hoses cost less than bellows hoses, but they wear out faster. The approximate service life of such products is 2-4 years.

Bellows

This product is a tube with a corrugated surface, which is made of steel. Its length can reach 2 m. At the same time, the bellows hose can be compressed and stretched. Both ends of the fixture are equipped with brass nuts and rubberized gaskets that can withstand high temperatures. This product can also easily withstand significant temperature changes, so it can be used in heating systems.

Advantages of corrugated type eyeliner:

durability;
reliability;
increased resistance to temperature changes and water hammer;
This type of liner is not subject to combustion and can be installed even next to an open flame.

Among the disadvantages of corrugated flexible hoses, we can only highlight its high cost and the hum that appears when water moves inside.

The average service life of a bellows tube is about 25-30 years. Moreover, it is suitable not only for transporting water, but also gas.

Made of stainless steel

Stainless steel products are cheaper than bellows products. Moreover, they are more durable than reinforced devices. The length of stainless steel hoses ranges from 50-100 cm. Their main advantages:

resistance to corrosion;
affordable price;
simple and quick installation;
resistance to temperature changes and flames.

This type of liner has only one drawback - if the nut is not tightened tightly enough or the rubberized seal is damaged, such products can leak in the joint areas.

Main manufacturers of flexible stainless steel water line

The modern market provides a large selection of flexible bellows water connections. You can choose both European and domestic products. At the same time, products from Russian factories are more suitable for connecting to classic pipe options in apartments. Thus, the flexible water supply line “Giant Aquaprof” produces hoses with an increased internal or external diameter, which, in comparison with standard options, have a higher throughput. Gigant hoses are characterized by resistance to stress, and their surface is not subject to mechanical stress. High reliability is additionally ensured by the presence of thickened walls.

All hoses are made of high-alloy stainless steel, and the brass union nuts are reinforced by applying a layer of nickel. The flexible line meets the requirements of GOST 12.2.063.81 and GOST 15763-2005. The main cross-sectional dimensions of the flexible water line “Giant” are 1/2, 3/4, 1. Prices for these products are presented in the table below:

Section size, inch	Length, cm	Price, rubles
1	60	475-720
	80	540-800
	100	780-1100
3/4	60	230-280
	100	240-320
	150	300-420
1/2	40	230
	60	250
	80	270
	100	320
	150	410

Many plumbers, when carrying out repair or installation work, prefer to use hoses from European manufacturers, among which the leaders are Italy and Germany. Let's look at the most popular Italian companies that produce bellows.

Indrosapien. Thanks to the high quality of finished products and a large assortment, the manufacturer is popular with customers. All of the company's products have been certified in Russia and are recommended for installation in domestic conditions. AISI 303 stainless steel is used for the manufacture of products. The flexible water connection nut-fitting is made with an external thread. Fittings are made of nickel-plated brass. They are secured by industrial welding.

Gigant bellows liners are characterized by resistance to loads, and their surface is not susceptible to mechanical stress.

Emiflex. Another Italian company that produces bellows. Flexible water supply hoses, available in a wide range of sizes, feature an attractive chrome-plated outer casing and durable stainless steel fittings. The most popular connection option for a flexible water line is a nut-nut or nut-fitting. The only disadvantage of Italian hoses is their high cost.

On a note! Flexible hoses for faucets from an Italian manufacturer are mainly sold in sets of 2 pieces.

Below is a table showing the sizes of Italian hoses and their prices:

Section diameter, inch	Length, cm	Manufacturer, price in rubles
Section diameter, inch	Length, cm	Indrosapien	Emiflex
1/2	0,4	725	980
	0,5	850	1120
	0,8	970	1270
	1	1130	1620
3/4	1	1050	1300
3/4	1,5	1370	1760

Product quality and cost

For example, flexible eyeliner from the STOUT brand is an excellent option for those who are used to choosing high quality without the need to overpay. The products are manufactured in factories in Italy, where every stage of the production process is controlled. The same factories supply goods to famous brands in the 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 well-promoted name.

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

How to choose the right flexible water line for 1/2 and other diameters

The liner should be selected so that the fittings, whether nuts or fittings, form a reliable connection with the connected devices without the use of additional adapters. To do this, you should purchase products from manufacturers that offer standard sizes of flexible hoses for water supply - 1/2, 3/4 or 1. If you buy a 3/8 size supply, you can only connect such a hose using an adapter.

The bellows liner must match the temperature and pressure of the water.

If you plan to connect to hot water or a heating system, you need to additionally check the technical characteristics of the products and make sure that they correspond to the temperature of the supplied water and are designed for high pressure in the system. All this information is contained in the hose data sheet.

You can find out what water temperature the product can withstand using the markings:

blue – hose for cold water only;
red – the product is designed to supply hot water;
red and blue - a universal hose that can be used to connect cold and hot water.

Depending on the conditions of use of the bellows, different materials from which the braid is made are selected. If you plan to use the hose in an environment where aggressive chemicals are present and high humidity is constantly observed, it is better not to purchase options made of ordinary metal.

Information about the bellows liner is contained in the passport that comes with it.

You also need to be careful when choosing the size of the flexible water line. Despite the fact that the bellows is designed for double magnification, experts recommend buying a product with a small margin of length. If the sleeve is constantly under tension, this will not have the best effect on its service life.

Other important points to pay attention to when purchasing:

Flexibility. If the product bends well, it will be easier to install. Hoses that are flexible are of higher quality.
Material used for the manufacture of fittings. Preference should be given to connectors made of non-ferrous metals or stainless steel, and the thickness of the metal plays an important role: thin aluminum will fail faster. To prevent electrochemical corrosion, threaded connections and union nuts must be made of the same alloys.
Weight of the finished product. The hose, which is light in weight, was most likely made of silumin, a cheap aluminum alloy. Silumin products rot within a few years.
Manufacturer. You should buy products only from companies that have been certified in Russia and received permission to sell.
Smell. A hose intended for drinking water should not have any foreign chemical odors.
Section diameter. If you install a flexible water line 3/4 rather than 1/2, the water noise will be less due to the large outlet hole.

If the hose is kept under tension, its service life will be significantly reduced.
On a note! When purchasing a certified product, you need to check the availability of a technical passport, which indicates the grade of steel used in production, the date of manufacture and expiration date, as well as basic information about the manufacturer. If the seller cannot provide a document, it is better not to purchase the product.

Before buying a hose, you need to conduct a careful visual inspection of the product for defects and check the quality of the corrugation. It is important that the fittings are securely welded to the hose, and that there are no signs of corrosion or mechanical damage on the surface. Gaskets and seals must also be inspected to ensure they do not look old or cracked.

How to connect and how often to change?

The connection to the water supply or plumbing equipment is made using nuts and fittings that are located at the ends of the device. You can handle this work yourself, following the following rules:

Before installing the elastic liner, you need to carefully examine it for damage. In this case, it is necessary to evaluate the quality of the crimp.
To extend the hose, you can use other flexible hoses and fittings. At the same time, it is undesirable to perform such manipulations without the latter, because the connection only with the help of eyeliners will turn out to be fragile and will quickly leak.
Do not pull or twist the flexible hose. If this rule is neglected, the product will be damaged and will have to be replaced.
Flexible hoses must not be installed with strong tension. If the purchased product is not long enough, it must be replaced with a longer one.
It is prohibited to install flexible hoses in areas where they must pass through ceilings. In addition, it is undesirable to hang this type of eyeliner on objects and operate it near open flame sources.

An outdated liner is replaced with a new one only after its service life, which is noted in the instructions, has expired. In some situations, by this time the structure still looks intact. However, it may already be damaged from the inside, so it is better to replace it.

Sometimes the flexible tube becomes rusty and leaks long before the end of the service life specified by the manufacturer. Then the product must be replaced as soon as possible with a better quality product. To do this, it is better to contact trusted companies that follow production technology and use high-quality materials.

Features of self-installation of flexible eyeliner and care for it

After installation, the hose must be in a visible place and freely accessible. Before installing the product, you should check the integrity of the corrugation and fastening, because defects may appear during transportation or as a result of improper storage.

Having installed the bellows liner, it should be in a visible place so that free access is provided to it.

When tightening connectors, do not use excessive force or use gas wrenches, as this can strip the threads or damage the product. It is recommended to use an adjustable wrench to tighten the nuts.

Other rules to follow during installation:

Do not twist or bend the cable too much. You need to understand that you can only stretch the hose before installation; after installation, it is prohibited to increase the length of the product.
After completing the installation of the hose, you need to open the water and monitor the condition of the connections for 5-10 minutes. Then, using a light, dry cloth, check the joint for dryness; if drops are detected, you need to re-tighten the union nuts.

The main problems that may arise during operation are mainly associated with the purchase of a low-quality product, and a low-quality product is not always characterized by a low price. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the appearance of the finished product and the quality of the joints made.

Another problem that leads to water leakage is weak compression of fitting connections. To avoid purchasing of dubious quality, hoses should be purchased only from certified points and only from sellers who can provide documents for the product.

Replacing the hose yourself is not a problem; the main thing is to choose the right hose that meets all the parameters.

High-quality products can be operated at temperatures above 100 °C, which allows them to be used as a heating supply. Thanks to the high-quality materials used in production, the hoses are resistant not only to temperature, but also to pressure changes. Even in the event of a sudden supply of water under high pressure, as a result of which water hammer is possible, stainless steel bellows guarantee the preservation of the integrity of the shell.

Bellows flexible water supply is considered a modern option for connecting plumbing fixtures and household appliances that require access to a central water supply.

Peculiarities

Flexible eyeliner has a number of features, among which the positive ones easily stand out. But negative nuances should also be mentioned in order to avoid an unpleasant aftertaste, a waste of time, effort and money.

The advantages of this flexible eyeliner:

Complete tightness and protection against leaks;
Saving space, allowing you to install additional interior items or equipment without having to worry about bulky pipes;
Ease of changing the location of an object connected by a flexible liner;
Refusal to use a welding machine;
Protection of the hose from water hammer. That is, if a pressure surge occurs in the water supply system, a high-quality flexible line is protected from rupture and water leakage;
Easy to install and operate.

Flexible hoses are typically used for various plumbing connections. Most often it is used in bathrooms (connecting a toilet, faucet, boiler to water) and in kitchens.