Hoses are made of non-toxic ethylene propylene rubber, which is resistant to corrosion and high temperature. Steel thread is used for braiding. It provides high mechanical strength, including bending and tearing, and protects against hydraulic shocks. This hose is designed for operating pressure up to 20 atmospheres. It is used in feeding systems drinking water, for organizing heating and hot water supply.

Manufacturers offer products with different sizes flow area. For selection required diameter It is important to know the predicted water flow. Most water supply and heating systems use hoses with an internal diameter of 8 mm.

Bellows liner

The products are made from corrugated metal sleeves. The connecting sleeves are welded directly onto the bushing of the end of the liner itself. Such products have a long service life (up to 25 years). The corrugated hose is resistant to pressure changes and can withstand hydraulic shocks. However, when used in systems with variable loads, microcracks appear on the corrugation. For harsh operating conditions, manufacturers offer the option of corrugated pipes protected by steel braiding.

Bellows liners are most in demand for transporting liquids at temperatures from +50 to +250 °C. In everyday life, flexible corrugated pipes have not found use due to the fact that when a large flow of water passes through, they hum and vibrate strongly.

What are the dangers of poor-quality faucet connections?

By choosing plumbing products from dubious manufacturers, you risk wasting your money.

The main problems of low-quality products:

• leakage at the attachment point of the connecting nut;
• condensation formation;
• break of the hose at the place where the sleeve is attached.

The World of Plumbing company offers a huge selection of products from domestic and foreign manufacturers. You can buy them with delivery throughout Moscow, Moscow Region, as well as other regions of the Russian Federation. When placing an order, be guided by the diameter, type of connecting nuts and length of the hoses.

Just a few years ago, in almost any bathroom one could see large piles and intricacies of steel pipes connected to various plumbing fixtures. Washbasins and showers were connected to them through a variety of couplings and adapters. As a result of this connection, all corners of the bathroom were occupied by massive structures made of pipes, which regularly failed due to hydraulic vibrations and shocks.

With the entry into the plumbing market of the new flexible nut-to-nut connection, it was possible to solve not only the problem of rapid destruction of the water supply system, extending its service life to 10-15 years, but also to free up space by expanding the free area of ​​small bathrooms.

Features and Benefits

The flexible system consists of a movable elastic hose covered with a metal braid on top. Its length can start from 30 cm and reach 5 m. At the ends of the liner there are nuts and fittings with rubber seals, which are attached to the main pipe and to plumbing element or household appliances. The metal braid is marked with color markers that indicate the area of ​​application of the hose. The hose with red markings should flow exclusively hot water, the hose with blue markings should flow exclusively cold water, and the double color indicates the versatility of the product.

On sale you can also find eyeliner with yellow stripes. It is designed to connect and work with gas equipment, but it cannot be connected to water. The inner surface of the elastic hose of such a line is impregnated with special substances, which under no circumstances should get into drinking water.

Flexible pipes have almost completely replaced rigid steel pipes due to a large number of advantages.

• Unlike old massive pipes, thin flexible connections take up less space and allow you to place plumbing products at a greater distance from the main pipe, without cluttering up the space near the walls and floor.
• The flexibility of the hose allows you to move already connected household appliances and connect them even in the smallest rooms.
• The product does not require welding and can be connected virtually with bare hands. This not only allows you to save money spent on purchasing welding machines, but also allows you to make the connection yourself, even for a beginner.
• The higher reliability of the product compared to conventional pipes extends their service life to several decades.
• This flexible tube is more resistant to external damage and internal water hammer.

Although flexible eyeliner is much better than rigid eyeliner, it has its drawbacks.

• The product does not tolerate tension and twisting well, they can damage and deform it.
• It is prohibited to install flexible hoses near open fire. The exception is a gas hose with a metal braid, although it is recommended to install it so that it cannot reach the fire on the stove.
• If water is supplied to several rooms at the same time, the flexible line begins to vibrate and, as a result, creates a low hum.

Specifications

In the plumbing market you can find two different categories of flexible hoses - adapters and extensions. Adapters are ordinary hoses for supplying water to showers, sinks or washing machines. Their length rarely exceeds 0.5 m. Using an extension cord connected to the adapter, water is supplied to those areas that a conventional hose cannot reach.

The characteristics of eyeliners of the first and second categories are similar and look like this:

• the diameters of the outer and inner radius of the pipe are 12 and 11.5 mm, respectively;
• the nominal pressure is 8 bar, and the maximum reaches 10 bar;
• the minimum bending radius is 60 mm;
• maximum permissible temperature of 70 degrees;
• service life is at least 10 years;
• rubber hose hardness 75 Shore;
• The maximum tightening torque for the fittings at the ends of the hose is 50 Nm.

Kinds

The production of flexible hoses is still at the development stage, but there is already a wide range on the market. They are classified according to various characteristics, for example, by braid, by type of fittings or by internal filling. The most common of them is the classification according to the type of braid.

Reinforced

One of the most popular types of flexible liner is reinforced liner. It consists of two parts: an inner rubber hose and an outer steel braid. Hoses of different lengths are wrapped in steel a certain color(blue for cold water, and red for hot), fittings or nuts with rubber seals are attached to the ends.

The maximum operating temperature of such a line is +90 degrees, so it is not used for installing heating systems. Nevertheless, it is very convenient for connecting to a faucet, washing machine or boiler. The advantages include:

• Convenience and speed of installation; one adjustable wrench is enough of all the tools;
• greater flexibility than other species;
• greater strength compared to polypropylene pipes, since the reinforced liner is reinforced with metal.

The disadvantages of a reinforced product include:

• rapid wear of thin rubber seals;
• rapid wear of the braid due to frequent bending.

The reinforced product costs significantly less than bellows liners, but also wears out somewhat faster. Its average service life is about 2-4 years.

Bellows

The bellows is a corrugated steel pipe up to 2 meters long, which can stretch and contract to the required values. At its ends there are brass nuts with rubber gaskets, able to withstand fairly high temperatures. Such a metal accordion can withstand changes from a minimum temperature of -50 to a maximum of +250 degrees. It is often used to supply water to heating and cooling systems, such as fan coil units or split systems.

The advantages of such a corrugated eyeliner are:

• high reliability and durability;
• resistance to water hammer and temperature changes;
• this type of liner does not burn and can be installed even near an open fire;
• it is hygienic and completely safe for humans.

The only downsides that can be highlighted are:

• high price;
• strong noise created by the flow of water through such a pipe.

The service life of a flexible pipe can reach 25 - 30 years, however, it is very expensive. It can be used not only to supply water, but also gas.

Made of stainless steel

Hoses made from of stainless steel, are cheaper than bellows ones, and they last longer than conventional reinforced ones. Their length can start from 50 cm and reach up to 1 m. At the ends of a stainless steel hose, as well as a reinforced one, there are ordinary nuts or fittings. With their help, you can connect the eyeliner to both regular and corner adapters. Among its advantages are:

• high resistance to corrosion (higher than other pipes);
• affordable price;
• ease of installation;
• resistance to fire and sudden temperature changes.

There is only one drawback to such a liner - if the quality of the rubber gaskets is poor or the fixing nut is not tightened sufficiently, such a liner begins to leak at the joints and quickly becomes unusable.

Materials and sizes

Flexible eyeliner different types may consist of one material or a combination of several. The internal elastic hose is made of rubber or caoutchouc.

Rubber hoses are most often used to connect to a toilet or washing machine, since drinking water cannot be supplied through them. Rubber has a specific smell that will be transferred to water running over it. In addition to the internal hose, the liner is braided on top with reinforcing material, which protects the fragile hose from external damage. It can be made from various metals or synthetic materials.

Aluminum

This braid is only suitable for supplying water with a temperature not exceeding 80 degrees. It is very susceptible to corrosion and its service life does not exceed 5 years.

Stainless steel

The stainless steel braid increases the service life of the liner from 5 to 10 years, while the maximum water temperature increases to 95 degrees and the pressure to 10 atmospheres. One type of stainless braid is an all-metal pipe called a bellows liner.

Nylon

Nylon braid will last about 10 years and can withstand heat up to 110 degrees. In addition, its operating pressure has been increased to 20 atmospheres, which significantly increases the price of such products.

Zinc

Galvanized wire braid is not durable or flexible, however, its price is much lower than other materials.

The main dimensions of flexible hoses are hose length, internal and external diameters. In this case, the diameter of not only the hose itself is important, but also the caliber of the fittings located at the edges. The diameter of modern hoses rarely exceeds 1-2 inches. Most often you can find eyeliners on sale with diameters of 3/8, 3/4 and 1/2 inches.

As for the length of flexible pipes, it varies significantly depending on the manufacturer. Most often, the line begins with products with a length of 500 - 600 mm, and ends with large industrial pipes reaching 5000 mm.

Purpose

Flexible hoses are used almost everywhere; their purpose is to connect a plumbing fixture to a water pipe. With its help you can supply water to the tap located near kitchen sink or on the bathroom sink, you can connect a washing machine, dishwasher and various pumping stations. They supply water to cistern toilet, shower and boiler. They are installed to supply water to sprinklers (a sprinkler system is component fire extinguishing systems, irrigation heads and pipes supplying water to them).

In addition to the usual plumbing systems, flexible hoses are used in many ways various devices. For example, gas pipelines, technical pipelines or pipes in various cars.

How to choose?

In order to choose the right flexible liner suitable for each specific case, many nuances need to be taken into account:

• The braid must be matched depending on the room in which the pipe will be installed and operated. A nylon pipe should not be installed near a fire, and a metal pipe should not be installed in rooms with high humidity.
• The size should be like this so that the pipe does not stretch when connecting, but you should not buy too long products. If the length of the hose is not selected correctly, it will either be loosely attached or twisted with loose rings, which will quickly destroy the braid at the bends.
• There should be no sharp rubber or chemical smell coming from the hose. It is strictly forbidden to use such a line for supplying drinking water; it is only suitable for technical needs.

• The product should not be too light- This is an indicator of low quality material. The highest quality is considered to be a product made of stainless steel or with brass fittings, and the lowest quality is considered to be one made of silumin and zinc. There are hoses with plastic fittings - these are practically disposable products.
• The purpose of the connection must correspond to the operating temperature and pressure specified in the accompanying documentation. You should not connect a blue braided hose to a radiator or gas stove - this can lead to both minor troubles and real emergency situations.
• The hose should bend well There should be no visible defects on the body. The packaging must be selected as a whole and with appropriate markings.

Italy is a manufacturer that has long established itself in construction industry. The company's products are considered one of the best Italian eyeliners. Parigi. The high prices are due to the reliability and durability of their eyeliners. All fittings are made of high-strength nickel and will last at least 15 years.

No less popular foreign manufacturer is a company Mateu from Spain. Products of the middle price segment are found in almost every third apartment. Her distinctive feature is the use of PEX hoses made of polyethylene. The same connections of this brand can be used both for supplying cold water and for installing a heating system.

Yes, not everywhere metal and even plastic pipes can be replaced with hoses, but where this replacement is real, the homeowner is faced with an important question - how to make the right choice?

Advantages of hoses

The main feature of flexible eyeliner is the flexibility itself. First of all, the hoses are more practical to transport - they can be folded and they will take up less space.

As for installation, hoses benefit here not only due to the ease of the fastener itself, but also the mobility that the connected device can receive. For example, you can move the same washing machine if something falls behind it. And if the connection were stationary, we would have to bother with blocking communications and dismantling the connection.

Not only installation, but also dismantling of hoses is relatively easy. Thanks to this, it may be less problematic to carry out repairs or redevelopment of the premises and its networks. Often the hoses have a strength similar to rigid plastic pipes.

Disadvantages of hoses

WITH metal structures The hoses, of course, cannot be compared, but for greater protection, some models are covered with braid. Moreover, there are also completely metal flexible connections, but they, of course, are not as strong as conventional static metal pipes. Hoses are a little more expensive ordinary pipes, but they are used less, so the overpayment is not so significant. Both the warranty and the overall service life of hoses are shorter than those of pipes. However, some modern flexible structures can last 20-30 years.

Water supply

Hoses are used to supply water to faucets, toilets, radiators, washing machines, boilers... PVC or PEX pipes are often used for this, which some experts classify as hoses, because flexibility characteristics are not the only feature of the classification. But these products are still more suitable for general wiring, and for direct wiring of systems it is better to use flexible connections.

You can find rubber hoses on sale, but their quantity is very small. The fact is that they have a lot of disadvantages - expansion at high temperatures and pressures, poor resistance to chemical and mechanical influences, and relative unreliability of connector fastenings. Therefore, an increasing number of sellers and buyers are focusing on more modern designs.

A rubber hose with a metal braid has gained enormous popularity due to its good technical characteristics and comparative cheapness. The core of the system remains the same rubber hose, but on top it is braided with metal threads with red and blue stripes. Thanks to this modification, the rubber is protected from hydraulic shocks and mechanical damage. Some manufacturers have gone further and, instead of rubber, use high-density ethylene propylene rubber braided with stainless steel or aluminum. It is worth noting that steel braiding is approximately twice as durable as aluminum braiding.

One end of the hose ends with a metal sleeve with a union nut that is attached to the end of a threaded pipe, the other ends with a fitting that is screwed into the connected system. The braid together with the hose is compressed around the bushings with a metal sleeve.

Anti-vibration flexible liner— a slightly improved braided hose. In essence, they are the same, but the anti-vibration one has a thicker outer diameter. Due to the increase in walls, such a hose dampens noise, and is therefore indispensable for pumping equipment.

Bellows hoses also resemble a flexible braided hose, but all parts of the hose that come into contact with water are made of stainless steel. The hose is made in the form of an annular corrugation (corrugated sleeve). The sleeves of the structure are rolled (radially deformed) along the sleeve and welded to the sleeve by roller welding.

The operating temperature range (from -50 to +250 °C) allows the hoses to be used for almost any communications. In addition, the bellows hose is more resistant to mechanical damage. Accordingly, it lasts about a third longer than the braided one, but it also costs more.

Hoses come in different types of loads:

• to pressure
• in pressure-suction
• in suction (vacuum) ones.

According to the wall material:

• rubber;
• polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• polyurethane
• made of heat-resistant polyvinyl chloride
• silicone
• metal.

By type of reinforcement:

• without reinforcement (tube)
• with PVC spiral
• with fabric cord
• with metal on cord.

Although hoses can be used for completely different purposes, their designs share flexibility and some material similarities. Therefore, experts highlight basic tips that can be useful when carrying out most work:

1. The hose installation location must be easily accessible. It is wrong from the point of view of safety and practicality if during repairs you need to partially dismantle the floor or trench the walls. In addition, hidden communications are inaccessible for important service inspections.
2. To avoid kinking, tension or twisting when assembling flexible connections, a bend radius of an average of three times the diameter must be maintained.
3. The bending radius can be increased by using flexible connections to the elbow.
4. If you do not provide a small margin along the length of the hose, then under pressure it will become shorter and excess stress will be created in the structure.
5. Avoid electrolytic damage to the tips and do not connect copper and steel. Steel is joined to steel, brass is joined to copper.
6. Metal parts must be protected from condensation, which causes oxidation.
7. All flexible connections must have metal ends.
8. It is advisable to use two wrenches. It is important that the tightening force of the tip ensures the desired connection tightness. To ensure the tightness of the connection, excessive force is not needed - it can only damage the structure.
9. After installation is completed, check whether the hose is kinked. The installed systems must be tested for strength by leaving them under load for some time and checking the strength and tightness of the connections.
10. Do not expose connections to open flame, such as a blowtorch. If something is being soldered or cooked nearby, you need to protect the hoses with a heat shield.
11. It is important to learn and consider the expiration date and replacement requirements of the selected hoses, especially gas hoses. Sometimes replacement is needed after 10-20 years, but sometimes after 5 years, or even 2 years. At correct laying hose replacement should take less than 15 minutes.

Watering

To make it easier to choose a suitable hose, first of all you need to decide on the necessary diameter The most common parameters are 1/2″,3/4″,5/8′,1′.

Next you need to select the length of the hose. Coils come in sizes of 15.25, 30, 50 m, and there are also cut-off hoses. The longer the hose, the larger its diameter should be. This is necessary to ensure that sufficient water pressure is maintained when using a sprinkler or sprinkler system.

The next equally important factor when choosing a hose is presence of diagonal reinforcement. It ensures dimensional stability; the hose does not deform under water pressure, does not bend or twist. This ensures a long service life.

It is also necessary to pay attention to the limit pressure water that the hose can withstand. It must be higher than the pressure in the supply system (usually indicated in atmospheres). The manufacturer often indicates such data on the packaging.

And last but not least important indicator is absence of unsafe additives in the product, such as calcium, barium and lead.

Installation of drinking water pipelines is a very important undertaking that must be approached with the utmost seriousness. The water transported through such a communication should not change its chemical composition. It follows from this that pipes for such communication should not oxidize. Among metal pipes, the highest quality option is stainless steel.

Stainless steel liner is one of the most practical and durable options for connecting to the water supply system

Stainless steel water pipe

For the installation of drinking water communications, two types of stainless pipes are used:

• made of galvanized stainless steel;
• made of chromium-containing stainless steel.

Both of these types have proven themselves in work. They are the most environmentally friendly among all and have virtually no effect on chemical composition water. Galvanized steel is an alloy that contains iron and carbon, and chromium-containing stainless steel contains chromium, as its name tells us. When exposed to air, water pipes made of chromium-containing stainless steel are covered with an oxide film, which performs protective functions.

Sanitary studies have shown that both of the above types are harmless to human health. In addition, they have incredible resistance to aggressive corrosive influences and high temperature indicators. Stainless steel pipe for water supply has excellent strength characteristics. However, they also have their drawbacks that are worth paying attention to.

After 8–10 years, such a pipeline begins to accumulate salt deposits on its internal walls, which leads to a narrowing of the pipe lumen and a decrease in communication throughput. It is worth noting that this disadvantage also applies to cold water supply pipes.

Such pipes are usually produced in two ways:

Helpful information! The welded manufacturing method is simple and inexpensive, however, seamless pipes have increased strength characteristics.

Plumbing systems, mounted and stainless corrugated, do not degrade water quality

Stainless steel pipes are perhaps the most reliable in terms of performance, which explains their popularity in the modern market. In addition to ordinary stainless pipes, there are products that are also used for wiring drinking water pipes - stainless flexible corrugated pipes.

Areas of use and advantages of flexible corrugated stainless steel pipe

The corrugated stainless steel pipe for water supply was invented at the end of the last century. It has high performance characteristics and is used both in everyday life and in various industrial areas. Let's consider the main areas of application of such a product:

• drinking pipelines;
• technical water supply;
• water heated floor designs;
• gas distribution systems;
• fire extinguishing systems.

Corrugated stainless steel pipe has a number of positive qualities:

• compactness, which allows for quick and easy installation and saves space when connecting various equipment to water pipes. In addition, these pipes are stored and transported rolled into coils, which is very convenient;
• flexibility. This property allows quick installation such products, even in hard-to-reach conditions. Such pipes bend at any angle;
• installation by means of a nut connection, which does not require welding equipment and special knowledge in the field of construction;
• presentable appearance;
• resistance to negative temperatures;
• resistance to water hammer in the system;
• resistance to minor mechanical stress;
• resistance to vibrations in the system;
• abrasion resistance;
• in addition, the flexible stainless pipe for water supply is resistant to ultraviolet rays;
• the unlimited service life of communications made from such pipes allows you to save on their replacement and repair work. It is also worth noting that fitting connections in such systems have a service life of at least 30 years.

Flexible steel pipes are not afraid of high temperatures, which allows them to be used for connecting water heaters

The main disadvantage of such products is the rather high cost, which is due to the technical characteristics, as well as the cost of manufacturing materials. Steel itself is a fairly expensive material.

Main characteristics of corrugated stainless pipe

As mentioned above, flexible corrugated pipes are resistant to corrosion; in addition, they have many unique characteristics. The pressure that such a pipe can withstand is 60 bar, which is almost 4 times higher than that of a conventional one. steel pipeline. The pressure indicator for household drinking water supply systems is usually 7 bar.

Important! When purchasing such pipes, you must be careful and carefully check that there is no damage or defects on their surface.

The maximum temperature at which a corrugated stainless steel product can be operated is 110 °C; it is also not afraid of negative temperatures. Resistance to low temperatures is due to the design features of the stainless corrugated pipe. The corrugation compensates for water expansion at low temperatures.

The installation of such communications is simple and, thanks to flexible pipes, structures with any configuration can be made. The fitting system allows installation without special tools. In addition, such a pipeline requires fewer connecting elements than a conventional one (made of simple metal pipes).

When fitting steel corrugated pipes, seals must be used

Connection of stainless steel pipes

Installation of stainless corrugated water pipes is carried out by connecting individual parts of the pipeline with special fittings. In addition to the fitting system, the joining of individual elements of a flexible stainless water supply can be performed by other methods: crimping, welding and flange connections.

Installation of a pipeline using welding requires special welding equipment, as well as knowledge and skills in this area. Welding of stainless steel pipes can be carried out in an environment inert gas. This method requires the use of special tungsten electrodes. However, the most common method is the so-called plasma welding. In this case, the work is carried out due to a directed plasma arc. Not every owner is able to carry out this process without errors himself, so we will consider other popular methods that do not require special skills.

Flange joining of pipes is usually used in systems that require periodic preventive inspections and repair work. This connection allows you to quickly replace individual communication elements. The flange connection is made without the use of threads.

Flange connections also have their disadvantages:

• high metal consumption;
• deterioration of sealing performance due to temperature changes and water hammer.

Threaded connections of stainless flexible corrugated pipes are made using fittings. The most popular type of fitting is considered to be a coupling, through which two pipes are connected on a straight section of pipeline. The fitting installation method is the most popular due to its simplicity and high speed.

The threaded connection is the simplest and is made very quickly

However, you need to be careful when selecting and installing fittings. Such parts are detachable and in the event of a breakdown, the failed part can be easily replaced with a new one. Connection water pipes stainless steel to plumbing equipment carried out using a special product - stainless steel eyeliner.

Flexible stainless steel braided water hose

Previously, bulky structures were used to connect plumbing and other equipment, which were fastened together with clamps. This method was characterized by the complexity of installation, as well as low reliability indicators and, in addition, an unpresentable appearance. Today there is a simpler and reliable way supply water to the toilet, boiler, washing machine or dishwasher. This method is to connect using a flexible stainless steel liner. Such devices are very popular and are used everywhere.

A flexible water connection is a hose that can have different lengths (from 30 cm to 5 m). Both ends of such a hose are equipped with special pipes or nuts with rubber gaskets, as well as seals. Thanks to rubber seals, the required sealing performance is achieved.

As a rule, water lines are made of stainless steel (flexible corrugated stainless steel water line) or have a braid of this material. This is due to the fact that stainless steel is superior to other materials and has excellent anti-corrosion qualities, which are necessary when in contact with water.

Helpful information! The purpose of such a hose is determined quite simply: the product for cold water has a blue thread in its braid, and the model that is used to connect hot water- red. Combined products are distinguished by the fact that they have threads of both colors in their braid.

One of the flexible stainless steel hose options is a steel braided hose.

Stainless steel hoses are used not only for household purposes. They are also in demand in other areas:

• construction;
• Agriculture;
• mining industry.

The flexible stainless steel water line is designed to withstand harsh conditions and is resistant to aggressive chemical compounds. Let's consider the basic requirements that such hoses must meet:

• the flexible line must have good tightness characteristics, which is feasible if it is installed correctly;
• the material of the sealing gasket must be of very high quality and wear-resistant;
• the nut must have a thread without defects;
• A special rubber seal must be present.

Selection of optimal sizes of flexible hoses

When choosing an eyeliner for a particular case, the following characteristics must be taken into account:

• hose diameter. The cross-sectional parameters of flexible water connections are determined taking into account the water consumption of a particular plumbing equipment. To connect the toilet, as a rule, a hose with a cross-section of 8 mm is used, for the sink - 10 mm, and for the bath 15 mm;
• hose length. The length is determined depending on the specific case. The connected product should not be too tight or, conversely, should not sag too much, thereby forming a kink.

If such a hose is installed incorrectly, it will performance characteristics are decreasing. In addition, it is worth considering the material from which the hose is made. The service life of flexible hoses differs depending on the material of manufacture.

trubamaster.ru

Flexible water line - where and how it can be used

Flexible water supply is a means of connecting plumbing to water communications if it is difficult to install rigid pipes. There are two types of flexible water connections: rubber hoses in a metal braid and bellows hoses. Connection using flexible hoses has become widespread. No installation required special devices and a lot of time, the installed equipment serves reliably.

Flexible water hoses allow you to reliably connect your plumbing fixture to the water supply network in limited space

Some advantages of flexible pipe

The use of flexible connections makes the water distribution system simple and uncluttered. Simple connection does not exclude long-term operation. The flexible pipe can be from 20 cm to 5 m in length, its internal diameter is from ½ inch to 1½ inch. The use of a flexible hose for water supply allows you to:

• obtain a tight connection;
• save interior space in your home by installing plumbing fixtures or household appliances;
• if necessary, move installed equipment, for example, a washing machine;
• Do not use when connecting household appliances or plumbing fixtures welding machine;
• do not be afraid of vibrations and minor damage;
• do not be afraid of water hammer;
• install the necessary machinery or equipment on our own without resorting to the services of an outside specialist;

By using a flexible pipe, you don’t have to worry that it will soon have to be replaced. When properly installed and used, it is reliable, looks attractive and will last a long time.

Materials for the manufacture of flexible eyeliner

The liner is an elastic hose. It is protected by a metal braid. Fasteners are installed at the ends of the hose. Simple design puts forward certain requirements for the details that make it up. The hose for a quality product is selected from soft, elastic, highly flexible rubber.

The hoses are equipped with fasteners, the installation of which is easy

It is important to know! Technical rubber has a rather pungent odor, bends poorly and quickly fails. Such products should not be used.

To make braiding the following can be used:

• aluminum;
• nylon;
• stainless steel.

The aluminum-reinforced braid will allow the hose to be operated under pressure of up to five atmospheres at a temperature of 80º C. Use is guaranteed for two to three years. In conditions of high humidity, aluminum quickly deteriorates and ceases to protect the hose.

Stainless steel braid is the most common. It is capable of ensuring the operation of the product for ten years at pressures up to 10 atmospheres and temperatures up to 95º C. Nylon braiding extends the life of the pipe to 15 years at temperatures up to 110º C and pressures rising to 20 atmospheres. Fittings and union nuts are made of stainless steel and nickel-plated brass.

What to look for when purchasing a product

You need to purchase a hose for eyeliner based on its intended purpose and conditions of use. You should know the water temperature and operating pressure in the system.

The purpose of the product can be easily determined by the color of the threads in the braid; if both blue and red colors are present, such a hose is considered universal

Colored tapes woven into the braid are used for marking:

• red – for flexible hot water supply;
• blue – for cold;
• red and blue - universal purpose.

As usual, there are no markings on eyeliners of poor quality.

The label of the flexible water line contains specifications. The weight of the hose should be felt in your hand; excessive lightness indicates poor quality materials. A product with aluminum braiding can quickly become overgrown with condensation. The reinforcement will oxidize and collapse, requiring replacement of the connection.

The fittings deserve special attention. Plastic ones won't last long. The fitting must be well pressed with a braid grip, with a stainless steel sleeve and a tube inserted all the way. Otherwise, the structure may simply fall off. High-quality union nuts cannot be too light and thin, so that the rubber seals do not crack and leakage occurs.

Important! It is not permissible to connect gas connections to the water supply. They contain toxic substances that are dangerous to human body.

Metal braided rubber hoses

The most common flexible water connection is a rubber hose with a metal braid. It is extremely easy to produce. This is one of the reasons for the relatively low cost of the product. Modern manufacturers The material used for the hose is EPDM ethylene propylene rubber. It does not have a strong chemical odor, is non-toxic, and is suitable for drinking water.

Flexible connections are used to connect mixers where there is no possibility of supplying a stationary pipe

Flexible water connections are most often used when connecting faucets. It is usually impossible to connect a stationary pipe to it. The flexible water supply hose can be easily connected to other household devices: toilet (urinal, bidet), washing machine, dishwasher, water heater. It is applicable wherever there is hot and/or cold water supply. The rubber hose for connection is very convenient, simple and practical.

The anti-vibration liner is of improved quality. The hoses of this product have an increased diameter compared to standard ones. They are used when connecting devices equipped with household pumps. The use of a special rubber anti-vibration structure can significantly reduce the level of noise and vibration in the water distribution network.

Advantages and disadvantages of flexible water line in reinforced braid

A rubber hose braided with stainless steel is usually connected to a water heater, washing machine or dishwasher, or toilet. It is designed for use for two to three years, provided that the water temperature does not exceed 90º C. Practice shows that flexible pipes last a much longer period. Connecting a braided rubber hose to the heating system is irrational.

A flexible hose option is a reinforced hose

The undoubted advantages of reinforced hoses for water supply include:

• flexibility (can be used while experiencing a clear lack of free space for installation);
• significant strength of materials used in manufacturing;
• environmental friendliness, compliance with sanitary standards;
• quick assembly using simple equipment;
• ease of installation, not requiring special effort
• comparatively cheap.

The disadvantages of flexible eyeliners are inextricably linked with their advantages. Rubber, which provides flexibility, interacts with water and quickly becomes unusable. Frequent kinking of the elastic metal braid accelerates its wear.

Bellows liner

Metal is used to make the bellows hose. Most often - stainless steel. It looks like a corrugated sleeve. The increased reliability of the bellows flexible water connection is ensured by the following technical characteristics:

• high resistance to kinks and compressions that do not lead to disruption of the shape and internal diameter;
• withstands water hammer;
• not subject to combustion;
• ability to work in an incredibly wide range temperature range– from -50ºС to +250ºС;
• resistance to oxidation under the influence of oxygen;
• speed of installation in cramped, inconvenient conditions.

Bellows hoses have many advantages over conventional braided hoses.

These properties allow the bellows hose to serve uninterruptedly for at least twenty-five years. Manufacturers provide a thirty-year guarantee for the fluoroplastic nuts used, as usual, when installing bellows connections.

It is recommended to use a bellows pipe in conditions of high pressure and elevated temperature, that is, for connecting radiators, water heaters, heated towel rails and other similar devices. Another parameter that determines the choice of a bellows pipe is the lack of space for installing any other connections.

In addition to the simple bellows eyeliner, there is a more attractive, “folding” shape. It comes folded. The corrugation is not stretched, the sleeve takes up less space. And during installation you just need to pull it out until required length.

Installation of water supply

Before installing flexible supply pipes, you should carefully ensure that they are not damaged. Even an expensive and high-quality product could be damaged during transportation or during storage. After this, you need to make sure that the gasket set is complete and intact. When starting work, you should remember important rules Handling flexible hose:

• it cannot be stretched, so the required length is calculated in advance;
• the eyeliner must not be twisted; deformation will make it unusable;
• It is recommended to bend the metal flexible water line according to the values ​​​​indicated in the product data sheet. The liner cannot be bent by more than 5-6 of its outer diameters;
• give the desired configuration to the liner before attaching the nuts;
• do not bend the pipe closer than 7 cm to the union nut connected to the consumer;
• for union nuts, use only flat spacers;
• It is better to tighten the tips by hand. After this, it will be enough to turn the tip with an adjustable wrench, a maximum of one turn. Using excessive force can easily damage the gasket.

When installing the liner, do not tighten the nuts too much

How to make your own eyeliner

To make your own flexible water lines you will need:

• flexible pipe, preferably stainless, of good quality;
• pipe cutter;
• roller;
• nuts;
• gaskets

Using a pipe cutter, the pipe is cut to the required length. The resulting corrugated pipe is inserted into the rolling machine with a projection on two rings. It will take several blows with a hammer to roll each side of the pipe. When rolling flexible hoses with a diameter of one inch or more, they should be secured with a metal retaining ring. The manufactured metal flexible water line is equipped with prepared gaskets.

It is desirable that the inner diameter of the hose matches the inner diameter of the water supply system pipes. With a smaller diameter of the liner, the available water flow will be reduced, otherwise the pressure will drop sharply.

Possibility of installing flexible water supply different sizes and diameter significantly simplified the installation and use of plumbing fixtures and household appliances. A simple and reliable means of connecting to water communications attracts with its quick installation in the most inconvenient places. It gracefully fits into the surrounding environment, bringing comfort and convenience.

trubamaster.ru

Flexible water line 1, 3/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inches: characteristics

A flexible water supply will help you connect a faucet, toilet, water heater and other plumbing fixtures even in the most inconvenient location. 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.

Types of flexible liner

For water, 2 types of eyeliner are used:

• reinforced;
• bellows

Reinforced

The first type of flexible hose is a soft elastic hose, reinforced with wire braid, with connecting elements at the ends (fittings). The tube has a complex structure, despite its simple appearance. It is made from synthetic EPDM rubber or PEX cross-linked polyethylene. It is braided with a thread of wire made of stainless steel or aluminum. Reinforced eyeliner that will last longer high pressure, has a nylon braid.

The product is cut at the factory into pieces of the required length. At the ends, metal nipples with fittings or union nuts are inserted into it. Then the braid with the hose is compressed with a steel sleeve around the bushing. Connection to pipes is made through rubber seals.

Flexible water liner has different diameters: 1 and 1/2 inches, 3/4, 3/8.

Bellows

Bellows hoses are more reliable and durable. They are made in the form of alternating rings of different diameters made of stainless steel. During production, the workpiece is selectively crimped, after which it receives a corrugated shape that provides high flexibility. The cost of such a hose is much higher.

The eyeliner is available in two types:

• with fixed length;
• foldable.

The first does not stretch and has a certain size: 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 cm. For the second, the range of minimum and maximum values ​​is indicated: 140–250, 200–355 mm, etc. It is not recommended to get too carried away with stretching, since this affects the service life of the product.

The disadvantage of a bellows hose is the noise that occurs when water is simultaneously supplied to several consumers, for example, to a faucet, toilet and washing machine. To avoid this, it is recommended to purchase hoses with a plastic coating.

Technical indicators

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

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

IN centralized water pipelines Pressure fluctuations are typical, so it is recommended to select the hose strength with a margin of 20–25%. The table shows the technical characteristics of flexible hoses with different braids.

Bellows liner has higher performance, but it is important who the manufacturer is. Hoses from the AKVAPROF company 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.

How to choose a flexible eyeliner?

To choose the right hose, consider the following parameters.

• The sleeve must be suitable for temperature and pressure. For example, a flexible connection to a toilet can be of any type, but only a hose for hot water will fit to a boiler.
• The braiding material is selected based on operating conditions. In rooms with poor ventilation, where condensation may occur, it is better not to use a product with metal braiding.

The reliability of the eyeliner depends on its flexibility. You can check it by taking one end and placing the hose horizontally. If it bends slightly, then elasticity (and, accordingly, reliability) is low.

• The fittings are selected without defects, the sleeves must be pressed around the entire perimeter. The material for making fittings is brass with nickel coating or stainless steel. Aluminum is used for gas, which is completely unsuitable for supplying water, since it quickly deteriorates in a humid environment.
• Hoses for household water supply systems must be made of high-quality rubber without a characteristic chemical odor.

The hose for cold water is marked with a blue braided tape, for hot water - red. If the inserts have both colors, the product is universal. Cheap products do not have such markings.

• The sleeve is equipped with union nuts or fittings of sufficient thickness and strength so that they do not crack when tightened. If the liner is too light, it means that the fittings are made of silumin or plastic, and the braid is made of aluminum.

Reliable products are purchased in specialized stores in high-quality packaging and with markings and a certificate (GOST 6286-73). You must find the service life in the attached passport. If it is less than 5 years old, we do not recommend purchasing such a hose.

• The ends must match the pipes to which the flexible hose is connected. The following combinations are possible: nut-fitting (female-male), nut-nut (female-female, as in the photo below), fitting-fitting (male-male).

After the service life declared by the manufacturer has expired, the flexible hose should be replaced.

We focus on quality

Creating durable products requires sophisticated technology and high-quality materials. Handicraft production, which subsequently leads to accidents, is characterized by the following characteristics:

1. Weak compression of the braid due to the lack of special equipment and the use of sleeves made of low quality materials.
2. Low strength and corrosion of connecting elements.
3. Rapid aging of technical rubber from which hoses and gaskets are made.
4. Use of ordinary galvanized wire for braiding, the service life of which does not exceed 1 year.

Reliable products have an accompanying passport. Products High Quality serves for 10 years. If aluminum braiding is used, this value is reduced by 2 times. The stated period is often exceeded, so it is important to find a reliable manufacturer.

Italian and Spanish companies have proven themselves well. It is worth paying attention to anti-vibration models with a large outer diameter. The equipment eliminates the hum in pipes when using pumps. The cost of such eyeliner is several times higher than that of the domestic one.

Quality products Russian companies “Akvatekhnika”, “Monolit”, “Flexiline” produce them with a lot of positive reviews. Stainless steel bellows liners are produced under the German brand WITZENMANN and the Italian PARIGI. Some models are even suitable for heating systems. High quality bellows sleeves are placed in plastic insulation.

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.

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.
• So that it doesn't happen 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:

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

Important conclusion + video

Metal pipes are used less and less for plumbing connections. You can supply water using convenient flexible devices, which are easy to attach with your own hands. But this must be done wisely.

Mr. Build recommends: take the selection and installation of flexible eyeliner very seriously, change the sleeve regularly. Carefully monitor the condition of the hose and the integrity of the braid. A broken eyeliner is the most common reason accidents with flooding of neighbors below.

Before purchasing and installing, be sure to watch the videos below. From them you will learn:

• how to choose the right product, what to pay attention to;
• what are the weak points of elastic eyeliner?
• where and how it cannot be installed;
• how to install a flexible hose according to all the rules;
• How to determine when it’s time to change your eyeliner.

mr-build.ru

Flexible heating supply

The main element in a flexible hose is a rubber hose. When made with high-quality connections, this hose is made from completely non-toxic rubber of a special brand EPDM, this is the so-called ethylene propylene rubber. This material, in case of contact with water, does not emit harmful substances, and it can be used for drinking water supply. It is also quite resistant to high temperatures; this property allows the use of liner when installing heating devices (up to +95 ° C).

The outer braid is the second the most important element eyeliner. The flexible liner provides the product with sufficiently high strength in the event of external mechanical impacts and internal hydraulic shocks. That is why, externally, the hose is braided with stainless steel thread, thanks to which the flexible water supply will reliably serve for 10-12 years. A high-quality braid will allow the liner to withstand pressure up to 10 atmospheres. If with outside The braid protection is made of aluminum thread, then both the service life and strength of the product will naturally be less.

The braid is also made from galvanized steel wire; it does not withstand the action of condensation, and provided that it constantly forms, this liner will last no more than a year. Another element is the brass fitting. A fully braided rubber hose is attached to this fitting using a sleeve made of stainless steel. To install the liner, mounting elements are used, these are union nuts or a fitting.

Application of flexible water line

The main application of flexible water line is the connection of corrugated stainless pipe from steel to household equipment and appliances that use water. For this purpose, there are two types of flexible hoses: fully rubberized hoses with metal braiding and bellows metal hoses; the use of these materials makes connecting the equipment as simple and quite convenient as possible.

Rubber hoses braided with metal are the most common type of hose. Along with “regular” hoses, the category “rubber hose braided with metal” also includes anti-vibration hoses.

A flexible corrugated pipe or liner is, in fact, universal material, if an accident occurs during the use of heating or plumbing systems, then in principle nothing terrible will happen, but if something bad happens during the operation of a flexible gas supply, the consequences will be much more dire. But such accidents occur at a minimum, therefore, the flexible supply for heating or gas is made of sufficient quality to be used in absolutely any areas of increased danger.

Such a technically complex element as a universal flexible hose requires the use of only high-quality materials and modern qualified equipment. A guarantee of quality when purchasing flexible braiding is the so-called accompanying passport.

Control valve for heating radiator operating principle

The bellows water line is a corrugated hose made of special high-quality material. This device is very convenient, but it should be remembered that it is not as flexible as a rubber-metal hose. Bellows connections are used to connect water, air conditioners, gas and plumbing fixtures such as sinks, showers, and drain tanks. Flexible hoses in water supply systems are installed in the last sections of the water supply system and are connected from the main line to devices with which the consumer interacts.

The modern market offers a large number of bellows hoses from different manufacturers to choose from, differing in price category, models, functional purpose, color, size, quality, and service life. Such hoses are very convenient in everyday life and are always popular with consumers. Now you can safely forget about outdated metal pipes. Almost always, when repairing or updating plumbing, a bellows water line is used. Customer reviews about these devices are only positive. With the use of high-quality materials, all everyday problems fade into the background.

Choice of eyeliner

First of all, you should take into account the quality of the materials that the manufacturer used to make the eyeliner. It is worth paying attention to the products of Italian companies, made of durable high-quality materials, aluminum and stainless steel. Eyeliners from many manufacturers, while having good technical performance, differ affordable price. Some manufacturers are developing anti-vibration liner, having large diameter and eliminating noise and hum when connected to household appliances. Such devices have no analogues on the domestic market.

Popular manufacturers

The main manufacturers of such eyeliners are trade marks Witzenman, Pagri, G-beka and Hydraflex. If a boiler or any other plumbing equipment is used in the bathroom, you cannot avoid the presence of devices that will catch the eye. In such situations, a Hydraflex bellows water line is recommended. The products of this company have a modern, neat appearance that complements the aesthetic design of the bathroom.

Such hoses are certainly of high quality and can serve customers much longer than ordinary flexible hoses. These devices can be used for both cold and hot water. It should be taken into account that the cost of branded eyeliner is several times higher than usual.

Appearance

From the offered range, it is recommended to give preference to hoses whose fitting nuts are made of austenitic steel, since the quality of brass ones is very low. This material can be recognized by cracks and dents. The seam between the spiral part and the fitting should be made using argon-arc welding, and not by rolling, as on carved connections. Dark spots are rust, and too rounded joints indicate unreliability and the tendency of the material to oxidize. Good seams They have a thin and even profile and almost do not differ in color from the hose.

A high-quality bellows-type water line will not have dents, rust spots or chips. Their presence indicates the use of low-grade steel. This is considered a sign of poor metal strength. Protected eyeliner is usually coated with PVC film. The difference between products for gas and water most often lies in the rigidity of the spirals due to the calculation of interaction with higher or lower pressure. This can be checked by simply stretching the hose.

Features of operation

Many manufacturers officially guarantee that their hoses will last 15 years. A good bellows liner for water "Aquaprof", for example, can easily be used for 30-35 years, and under gentle operating conditions this figure extends to fifty. The service life also depends on the fitting materials. The minimum service life is observed for elements made of carbon steel and brass. Stainless steel nuts are the most durable when compared to other materials.

The design of the spirals makes it possible to twist the hose, and the bend will be fixed. A high-quality stainless steel bellows water line can be stretched 1.5-2 times in length without any risk. Due to the rigidity of the corrugated structure, its diameter should not change. When choosing a hose, you can ask the seller to step on the liner or place some weight under it.

Advantages

Modern bellows water supply makes it possible to quickly install plumbing fixtures, various devices water supply, gas and heating equipment in the most inaccessible places in the country, in a cottage, apartment or office. High-quality hoses have high technical indicators, anti-vibration properties and are indispensable for organizing comfortable conditions in any room. The remarkable aesthetic properties of flexible eyeliners make it possible to highlight the stylish interior of an apartment or office.

What is the difference between a bellows water line and metal pipes?

The long-familiar iron pipes are being used less and less. When connecting water supplies, heaters, bidets and other devices, bellows hoses made of polymer materials, rubber and metal are increasingly used. This water liner is very flexible, does not rust, and is resistant to various aggressive environments, as well as temperature changes, has an increased service life.

Eyeliner design

The hose is the most important element of the bellows line. It can be made of non-toxic rubber of different brands, as well as other materials. The components used must be environmentally friendly, not form harmful compounds on the walls and withstand relatively high temperatures. Rubber hoses are protected on the outside by a braid made of stainless steel, aluminum and other materials so that the bellows water supply is not subject to mechanical stress and has sufficiently high strength.

All connecting elements - fittings, nuts with gaskets, nipples must always be made of sufficiently high-quality materials.