Tsugunov Anton Valerievich

Reading time: 5 minutes

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.

Types of flexible liner

For water, 2 types of eyeliner are used:

• reinforced;
• bellows

Reinforced

Flexible eyeliner The first type 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. The reinforced liner, which can withstand higher 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 pressure 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.

Bellows liner has higher performance, but it is important who the manufacturer is. Hoses from the AKVAPROF company are designed for operating pressure 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.

High-quality products with a large number of positive reviews are produced by Russian companies “Akvatekhnika”, “Monolit”, “Flexiline”. 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 there are 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.

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

To connect plumbing metal pipes are used less and less. 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?

In the era of modern building and plumbing materials, you no longer have to rack your brains over how and where to place a convenient and discreet plumbing system. Standard rigid pipes have been replaced by soft flexible hoses enclosed in a durable housing. These parts last for many years, provided the right choice and operation.

Peculiarities

Flexible liner has whole line features, among which the positive ones are easily distinguished. But negative nuances should also be mentioned in order to avoid an unpleasant aftertaste, unnecessary waste 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 with a flexible liner;
• refusal to use a welding machine;
• protection of the hose from water hammer (if a pressure surge occurs in the water supply system, a high-quality flexible line is protected from rupture and water leakage);
• ease of installation and operation (all basic work can be done independently).

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.

As for the negative assessments of flexible hoses, most often users complain about problems that arise as a result of improper installation of the hose. To avoid this, experts advise purchasing products only from a well-known manufacturer. Also guaranteed purchase good quality will be a thorough inspection of the product in the store (before you purchased it).

When choosing, you need to pay attention to several important points.

• The weight of the eyeliner should not be lighter than a feather. If you pick up exactly such a product, immediately put it back in its place. At best, this hose will last you a couple of weeks after installation.
• The flexible liner should bend easily different sides. If you have to make an effort to change the shape of the hose, you can safely put it aside and take on another one, since this one is made of low-quality technical rubber, which can simply crumble from bending.

Another significant drawback is the short service life of the plastic fitting. To accurately choose exactly the right eyeliner, consider the main characteristics of this product.

Specifications

Today, there are two categories of flexible water connections: extensions and adapters. The second ones are standard hoses that connect necessary devices to water supply: sinks, toilets, showers and boilers. They usually have a length of up to 60 cm. Extensions are an auxiliary hose that is connected to an adapter to provide water to the most remote areas.

The service life of any supply hose depends both on the initial quality of the product and on the correctness of its installation and operation.

When purchasing a flexible bathroom liner, pay attention to the presence of colored stripes on the reinforced surface:

• red indicates the possibility of using only hot water;
• blue can only be used in cold water supply conditions;
• both stripes immediately indicate that the hose can be installed to supply both hot and cold water.

Thus, when connecting a tap or toilet to places where only cold water is always used, you can use all three types of flexible hoses. If we are talking about a mixer with two temperature modes, a boiler or a radiator, the use of hoses with a blue stripe is strictly prohibited.

Flexible hoses with a yellow stripe along the entire length of the hose are also available for sale. They are intended only for connecting users to gas supply and have special impregnations and lubricants inside, which are unacceptable for use with water, especially drinking water or for washing. The water that passes through this hose is considered technical and contains impurities hazardous to human health.

It is worth dwelling on the main types of flexible hoses that exist today construction market.

Kinds

Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of connecting water pipes. They are classified according to the type of braid, internal filler(main tube), type, quality and size of fittings. Let's look at the most common division, based on the type of braid.

According to this characteristic, flexible liner can be:

• reinforced;
• bellows

The first is rubber base (quality products made of durable rubber) covered with steel braiding. In this case, the casing of such a hose can be made of different materials. For example, galvanized steel and aluminum occupy a leading place among analogues. This is explained by the low price - and nothing more. Such braiding is absolutely short-lived; it practically cannot withstand the average water pressure in the water supply system and breaks down very quickly. This should not happen, because the upper skin of the rubber hose is designed to strengthen it and prevent water from escaping.

In terms of quality and durability, the best braid is considered to be made from durable stainless steel wire. She provides reliable protection internal rubber hose. According to manufacturers, the service life of such liners reaches ten years or more.

Nylon braiding is a reinforced treatment of the water hose that can withstand even the maximum pressure in the system.

By choosing reinforced braid for flexible hoses, you automatically receive the following benefits:

• installation speed;
• ecologically clean materials manufacturing;
• high strength;
• flexibility.

The second type is an elastic corrugation made of stainless steel. Bellows hoses last longer and have higher technical characteristics.

There are two modifications of corrugated elements:

• with a specified length;
• with variable footage.

For the first, manufacturers immediately determine standard sizes, starting from 20 cm and ending with 80 cm. The step in the length of the product is 10 cm. The second has a floating range over which it can be stretched. For example, on sale you can find bellows liners with variable lengths of 150-250 mm, 200-350 mm and others. It is worth considering the fact that the maximum stretch is indicated for reference - it is not advisable to stretch the eyeliner that much.

The quality, strength and durability are evidenced by the use of bellows hoses for industrial purposes. Very often, this type of liner is used when connecting sprinklers - ceiling-mounted fire extinguishing devices. The main nuance lies in the plumbing system. A sprinkler installation is a whole network of pipes that constantly contains water under pressure. Therefore, the choice is especially quality material eyeliner comes in handy.

Among the disadvantages of bellows flexible hoses are their noisy operation when high blood pressure in the water supply system. Despite the fact that in modern apartment buildings This happens infrequently; some users recommend using it as little as possible on private property.

Fittings are usually supplied with flexible hoses. Often these are brass fittings or nuts that have various shapes and sizes. To select the correct mount, it is necessary to measure the diameters of the pipes in the room where the installation will be carried out.

Plumbing previously consisted of ornate intricacies of pipes, tubes and adapters. But today, thanks to flexible hoses, it has become possible to install devices that use water supply in the smallest rooms. Angled flexible connection ensures installation even in hard to reach places. Thanks to the peculiarity of its mounting, it can be located close to the wall and thus increase usable area premises.

Dimensions

The main parameters of flexible hoses are the diameter of the hose and its length. In this case, the caliber is important not only in the tube, but also in the fittings. For example, modern flexible eyeliners are manufactured with a maximum diameter of 1-2 inches. And the most commonly used ones have parameters of 1/2, 3/4 and 3/8.

As for the length of the reinforced or corrugated hose, each manufacturer has its own. In addition, it is practically individual for each individual case. If we consider a stationary eyeliner, then maximum length totals 60 cm. In corrugated sliding models this indicator can only start at 500 mm, and finish within 5000 mm. The latter are extremely rare, mainly on an industrial scale.

Manufacturers: review and reviews

The most popular today are flexible eyeliners made in Italy. They have proven themselves in the construction market, and many users are happy to note their advantages.

One of the most popular Italian trog brands today is Parigi. According to customer reviews, the products of this brand are highly durable. The manufacturer guarantees the service life of reinforced flexible hoses from 3 to 5 years, while bellows products can last more than 7 years. Special attention Italians pay attention to details: fittings and nuts are made of high-quality nickel and have a service life of more than 10-15 years. Product prices are high, which approximately 60% of users consider the main disadvantage.

Mateu is a Spanish manufacturing company that has established itself as a high-quality manufacturer in the mid-price segment. In sets of faucets for the kitchen or bathroom, you can often find flexible hoses with a metal braid from this particular company. They also produce large quantities of their own brand products for large construction hypermarkets.

Another feature of the Spanish manufacturer is the production of reinforced connections using PEX hoses. According to the descriptions of professionals, this type of hose has a maximum service life, since they are made of cross-linked polyethylene. The operation of such material in some cases reaches 50 years. Another feature of the PEX hose is its versatility: flexible hoses with such a base can be used to connect both complex devices (for example, heating systems) and simpler ones (cold and hot water supply).

The domestic plumbing industry is also not standing still. A large number of high-quality, but more affordable products are produced by such manufacturers as “Giant”, “Monolith”, “Aquatechnika”. Users note a large number of advantages of these eyeliners. But still, approximately 50% of respondents insist that some of the technical characteristics specified in the product data sheet do not correspond, but on the whole they remain satisfied with the purchase.

In order for each part to function correctly and for as long as possible, it is necessary to strictly follow the rules for connecting and installing elements. Despite the fact that even a high school student can handle this process, you should take into account some expert advice during installation.

Connection rules

Connections plumbing systems They are connected to each other using special mounting fasteners. As mentioned earlier, these are fittings and nuts. The hose must be attached freely, slightly sagging, so when choosing the length, rely on a large number. As for the fittings themselves, they come in different diameters (0.5-1.5 inches) and different shapes. If the water pipe and liner different diameters, a special adapter comes to the rescue, which can be easily found in all plumbing stores.

Let's look at the basic rules for installing a flexible water line.

• Before installation, or even better before purchasing, perform a complete inspection of the fittings' ends (fasteners). Check whether the gasket is in place and the condition of the threads and braid.
• After installation, it is necessary to connect the water supply to the system and check the operation of the line for leaks within 30-40 minutes. If a leak does appear, try tightening the nuts a little tighter. But you also need to be careful not to overdo it, so as not to spoil the fastening.
• The bend of the hose is allowed in a ratio of no more than 5-6 diameters of the outer tube.

• Shlag is very sensitive to high temperatures, so try to avoid using the product in unfavorable conditions.
• Twice a year it is necessary to check the tightness of the installation and inspect external state flexible liner.
• If the hose length is not enough, you can purchase a special extension. To avoid metal corrosion due to electromechanical reaction, it is necessary to use pairs of the same material.
• Despite the service life specified by the manufacturer, it is recommended to replace flexible hoses at least once every 3-5 years.

Among the prohibitions, there are three immutable rules:

• do not use in constant flow mode;
• do not install without gaskets or with visible defects;
• Do not operate at low negative temperatures.

The scope of application of flexible hoses is quite wide. One of the main rules here will be the appropriateness of their use in this specific situation. There are known cases when such products were used to connect fan coil units - elements of the air conditioning and ventilation system. Any flexible reinforced or bellows fittings for water have the most various fastenings. In the language of professionals, they are called: “mama” - “mom”, “papa” - “mom”, “dad” - “dad”. “Mother” here is expressed by a union nut, and “father” by a long fitting.

In the process of installing a flexible water supply, you cannot do without recommendations and advice from experts, especially if the installation is carried out by you yourself and for the first time.

If you decide to buy a flexible water line, you risk, unfortunately, purchasing a low-quality fake.

To prevent this from happening, here is a list of basic recommendations for purchasing a good product.

• Buy only from trusted retail outlets and from well-known manufacturers.
• Reliable products are always equipped with a passport describing technical characteristics (for example, the maximum pressure and temperature in the system that a given hose can withstand), service life and rules of operation. High quality models usually have a designated shelf life of up to 10 years.
• In addition to the accompanying documents, each product has special markings indicating the same technical characteristics, manufacturer, diameter, and other things.
• All official brands put only certified items on the plumbing market.

• Due to their design, bellows connections usually have increased noise generation. But this can be avoided if you purchase such hoses with a special plastic coating.
• The best material for union nuts and fittings are made of nickel-plated brass, and aluminum or hybrid steel-aluminum components last three times less - no more than 3 years.
• Sometimes, in the process of screwing the liner, it may become twisted, causing unnecessary bending. Such moments should be avoided and the condition of the hose should be carefully monitored. Otherwise, this may lead to early wear of the rubber component and its rapid replacement.
• When visually assessing the quality of flexible hoses, pay attention to the braiding, which should be uniform, without burrs, protruding tails and other defects, and the fittings should be properly pressed.
• The included rubber gaskets, as a rule, rarely serve their owner for long. There may be a need to purchase more durable products made of silicone or paronite.

How to make it yourself

Craftsmen easily share recipes for making flexible eyeliner with reinforced braid with their own hands.

The parts of one of them include:

• flexible stainless steel pipe;
• device for cutting pipes;
• roller;
• nuts;
• rubber or silicone gaskets.

The technology consists of cutting off the required piece of pipe, rolling both its edges, securing them with a retaining ring, threading nuts and installing gaskets.

There is nothing complicated in the process of installing a flexible water line, but there are a number of nuances in choosing the necessary parts. Therefore, carefully pay attention to all the little things before you pay for the product, so that you don’t have to go back and buy a new eyeliner.

For information on the features of a flexible water line, see the following video.

Flexible hoses are well known to domestic consumers, since today they are used to install not only water supply devices, but also heating and plumbing equipment, any household appliances that use water, and even gas stoves household type to the risers. Indeed, the range of applications of flexible hoses is so wide that it should be described in a separate book. But today we will talk about a type of flexible eyeliner, which is still little known to the domestic buyer and is produced mainly abroad.

So, in addition to the ordinary flexible hose, an anti-vibration hose recently appeared on the domestic markets, which is a traditional braided hose, but at the same time has a larger diameter (approximately 3.5 cm). This can be used where there is a need to get rid of hum, vibration, pipe noise, which often occurs in water supply systems after pumps, hydrophore units, air conditioners, surge tanks, etc. are connected to them.

Every year the production of this type of eyeliner is becoming more widespread, which is associated with the growing demand for this type of product among the population. The use of flexible hoses for connecting pumps and pumping stations is made possible by manufacturing it with the union nut positioned at an angle. The main advantage of such hoses is that the anti-vibration water line can withstand high blood pressure due to the fact that each strand of its braid has at least seven threads.

It is extremely important that only certified products are installed in your home or office, otherwise this may lead to a number of everyday problems, since low-quality products are known to have an increased accident rate. Only by choosing a flexible hose, in the reliability, safety and quality of which you are confident, can you safely enjoy the coziness and comfort of your home. There is no need to chase foreign products. Domestic enterprises produce many flexible anti-vibration hoses that meet all necessary quality standards: from the material from which they are made to operational issues. Many domestic enterprises repeatedly test their products and also pay for tests in specialized laboratories, which allows them to deliver the safest and highest quality product to the consumer. That is why domestic flexible hoses have excellent characteristics even when used in extreme conditions.

Modern anti-vibration flexible hoses open up wide opportunities for increasing the reliability of products, as well as labor productivity, reducing the influence of the human factor in the process of manufacturing components and further assembly, introducing semi-automatic and automatic methods management of various technological processes. Thus, flexible anti-vibration water connections that meet modern standards and requirements are a guarantee of quality for which you will not have to overpay.

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 red-marked hose must only flow hot water, through a blue-marked hose - 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. Inner surface The elastic hose of such a line is impregnated with special substances, which under no circumstances should get into drinking water.

Flexible eyeliner has almost completely replaced rigid ones. 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 on long distance from the main pipe, without littering the space near the walls and floor.
• The flexibility of the hose allows you to move the already connected household appliances and connect it even in the smallest rooms.
• The product does not require welding and is connected virtually “ with bare hands" This not only allows you to save money spent on purchasing welding machines, but also to make the connection independently, even for a beginner.
• Higher compared to ordinary pipes, the reliability of the product 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 at 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 steel corrugated 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 that can withstand quite 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 systems and cooling systems, for example, for fan coils 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.

Life time 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 of stainless steel are cheaper than bellows hoses, 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 eyeliner - low quality rubber gaskets or insufficient tightening of the fixing nut, such liners begin to leak at the joints and quickly become unusable.

Materials and sizes

Flexible eyeliner of different types can consist of either 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 the 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

Stainless steel braid increases the service life of the liner from 5 to 10 years, while Maximum temperature water increases to 95 degrees, and 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 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 conventional plumbing systems, flexible hoses are used in many 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 eyeliner must correspond operating temperature and pressure specified in the accompanying documentation. Do not connect the blue braided hose to the battery 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.

An equally popular foreign manufacturer is the 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.