18th December, 2019

Avoiding Damage to Flexible Braided Hoses

Flexibraided pipe

If you’ve ever looked underneath your sink, you’ve probably seen a flexible braided hose, or flexi hose. Particularly in a commercial kitchen, this type of hose solution is often used as it’s tougher and sturdier than other options. 

But just because they’re tough, doesn’t mean that they can’t be damaged and burst. And when something bursts in a commercial kitchen, it can cause a huge amount of damage to the property and put your business on hold until it’s fixed. And a flooded kitchen can take a lot of time, money and replacement appliances to get back up and running.

What is a Flexi Hose?

A standard flexi hose is a rubber pipe that’s enclosed in braided stainless steel to protect the rubber. These hoses were created to replace inflexible copper pipes, and are widely used in commercial kitchens and bathrooms across Australia.

They’re an affordable, flexible solution to everything that goes on under a sink. They can easily bend into position and to keep them out of the way in almost any space.

But if you do a Google search, you’ll find a lot of articles on how these pipes can burst, causing damage and end up as a huge expense. Many articles even urge people to rethink their need for flexi hoses. However, there isn’t really an alternative way of connecting a lot of tapware, but there is a different TYPE of Flexi hose.

Why Do Flexi Hoses Burst?

There are a few reasons why these hoses can burst – most of which are preventable and manageable!

If your flexi hose is the standard rubber inner-hose type and has been installed or even packaged incorrectly, weak points can form throughout the hose. If your flexi hose is kinked, stretched too much or twisted, it can weaken the inner rubber hose.

Imagine a kink in a garden hose – where it kinks once, it’s likely to kink in the same place again. That will weaken its integrity of the hose at that point and cause a tear.

The same thing happens in your flexi hose.

Most importantly!
If the stainless steel braiding on the hose is corroded or “rusted”, it weakens the hose at that point as it’s no longer protected. Corrosion means that the inner hose could burst and flood the premises.

 

Prevent Your Flexi Hose From Causing Damage

Just like any piece of equipment, your flexi hoses have a limited lifespan and need to be regularly checked to ensure that they’re not going to burst. There are three ways that you can ensure your flexi hose isn’t going to cause you damage.

  1. Use Quality Products
    At Emu Plumbing, we stock only 15 year warranty PEX or Polyamide hoses from Ram or Abey . Because only the best is good enough for your commercial job.

    The polyamide hoses offer high-strength, non-metallic, non-rust braiding similar to kevlar material that’s used in bulletproof vests! The manufacturers are so sure of these hoses, that they come with a 15 year warranty. The regular warranty for standard flexi hoses is 5 or 10 years (if they come with a warranty at all!) So you can be sure the ones Emu Plumbing use are the best on the market.
  2. Correct Installation
    A licensed and experienced commercial plumber can carry out all installation work. Even though the job may seem simple, having the right tools, know-how and equipment can make all the difference to preventing a leak or kink. So your flexi hose can last as long as possible.
  3. Regular Maintenance
    A commercial plumber can regularly check and maintain your flexi hose to ensure that it’s not kinked or corroding – that way they can make any replacements necessary before the worst happens!

    Flexible braided hoses are required to have a WaterMark certification to ensure your hose reaches the current standard of quality. Your commercial plumber can check that the standards are being met and put together a maintenance schedule to regularly check your flexi hoses.

    So you’ll save time and money! 

 

Not sure if your flexi hoses are safe and up to standards?

Give us a call today on 07 3358 3201 or request a quote online.

  • “Well organised, efficient and competitively priced.”

    Have been using Tony Bonehill & his team from Emu Plumbing for a number of years and have no hesitation in recommending them for all types of plumbing works. I manage a large property portfolio, and I need to be able to rely on my tradespeople, and I never have to second guess using Emu Plumbing. They are well organised, efficient & competitively priced!

    Toni J
  • “Quick, knowledgeable and competitive on price.”

    I have been in this industry now for more than 25 years across a number of different venues and was introduced to Tony and his team by another friend that owns and runs a restaurant in Brisbane. For more than the last five years he has been one of our top trade contacts, and I would recommend Emu to anyone that is interested in getting the job done right the first time.

    They are always on time, and they are clean and tidy workers (which is essential in a commercial kitchen). They clean up, take photos of the work completed and are always happy to do a quick site check to see if anything else may need attention in the future. Quick, knowledgeable and competitive on price.

    Nick P, Malt Group
  • “High standard of service and prompt response.”

    I would highly recommend Emu Plumbing to any Strata Scheme looking for an outstanding Maintenance Plumber. Their expertise, high standard of service and prompt response is why I have continued to use Emu Plumbing for all our plumbing issues.

    John T, AD Body Corporate
  • “Efficient processes, quality workmanship and quick turnaround.”

    Efficient processes, quality workmanship and quick turnaround, is why we at Sikorsky Helitech, a Lockheed Martin company, choose Emu Plumbing for all our plumbing services. In the Commercial world, downtime means money, so it is very important to our company that we have trades that understand an urgent “Call to Action” like Emu Plumbing.

    Paul C, Sikorsky Helitech
  • “Emu plumbing is the market leader”

    Precision Aviation Group Australia uses Emu Plumbing for all plumbing and gas fitting requirements that arise on site.

    Tony and his team leave no stone unturned in their support of our needs. They go above and beyond to ensure that the time frames and quality of the work are to the highest level and they continue with the customer comes first attitude when the work is complete. For any commercial plumbing or gas fitting requirements, Emu plumbing is the market leader.

    Chris S, Precision Aviation
  • “The best plumbers I have worked with, they never let me down.”

    I have worked with Tony and the Emu Plumbing Team over nearly 4 years. The level of professionalism, and most importantly honesty and integrity that the Team delivers every day is outstanding. Tony is always available for advice over the phone to our Tenants and Landlords.

    I would recommend Tony and the Emu Team as the best plumbers I have worked with, and they have never let me down. Now that is something that is hard to find!

    Stephanie C
  • “Very happy to recommend Emu Plumbing”

    I have had the pleasure of using Emu Plumbing several times. On all occasions they have been very helpful, informative and prompt, with their advice and service. The work they have carried out has always been completed reliably as promised and very professionally. Very happy to recommend Emu Plumbing.

    Ian D
  • “I have no hesitation in recommending the Emu Plumbing team.”

    A huge thank you to Tony, Al and Bryce for helping us get Mrs Brown’s Bar & Kitchen up and running! You’ve been incredible, and we’re very appreciative of your efforts, which went above and beyond the norm on many occasions. We used lots of second-hand and re-purposed items during our fit-out, and nothing was straightforward – but nothing was ever a problem for the boys. I have no hesitation in recommending the Emu Plumbing team, and am glad they’re part of ours.

     

    Ben B, Mrs Brown’s Bar & Kitchen
  • “Fast responses, extremely polite, and honest work”

    The team at Emu plumbing never fail to impress. Tony, Niles, Eli and Joseph are all beyond excellent in their work. Fast responses, extremely polite, and honest work. They’re very thorough and take time to explain situations to make sure everyone understands what is being done and why, they hold a great attention to detail and always clean up after themselves. I can’t recommend Emu enough.

    Thank you guys!

    Airport Hacienda Motel
  • “Prompt and excellent service!”

    I moved into a new unit to find no water was flowing through the pipes. My property manager sent Eric from Emu Plumbing who fixed the matter quickly.

    Someone turned off my water supply last night as water from my unit was leaking downstairs into the foyer! Along came Eric who again fixed the problem of my laundry taps and he even left ‘who gives a crap’ toilet paper. Fantastic!!

    Prompt and excellent service from your company – Eric was polite and efficient.

    Ronda D, Property Managed by Place New Farm
  • “The whole process from the quoting and booking to the completion of the job was effortless”

    Had the guys out doing storm water pipes for my new shed. 
    Very knowledgeable guys who did a great job. The whole process from the quoting and booking to the completion of the job was effortless!! Fantastic team. Highly recommended!

    Brad S
  • “They did a very thorough, excellent job, with photographic evidence, were very reasonably priced and very professional”

    I needed to call an emergency plumber on a Saturday afternoon for issues at the office where I work in Kingsford Smith Drive in Eagle Farm. I called two local after-hours plumbers without success. Emu answered on the first ring although already busy with a job down the road. They estimated they would be finished with the current job and would be at the office by 4.30 pm which they were. They did a very thorough, excellent job, with photographic evidence, were very reasonably priced and very professional/ I would highly recommend them and use their services again without hesitation.

    Teresa S, Odyssey Gaming
  • “Will use you guys again for sure”

    Very happy with your service and the work done…  will use you guys again for sure.

    Wayne W, Equipment Finance and Leasing
  • “I would recommend”

    Efficient, reliable and friendly service. I would recommend Emu plumbing!
    ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
    Chris A, Waterstop Solutions QLD
  • “The boys deserve some high praise”

    I just wanted to let you know what a good job your young lads did. We’re very happy with the result. The boys deserve some high praise – so efficient, thoughtful, pleasant and a work ethic to be treasured.

    Betty M
  • “Absolutely amazing and very helpful”

    We were in a situation where we needed a gas technician to come and assess if there was a gas leak at our property where a previous technician has disconnected our gas cylinder and therefore had no gas for hot showers etc. The team at Emu were absolutely amazing and very helpful when I rang them and told them about our situation. A technician was organised to come out and he managed to fix the problem.

    It’s nice to know that humanity still exists and that they helped as soon as they could, at a reasonable price too! A huge Thank You to the great team at Emu (Shakira, Nials and Tony), we will definitely recommend your business to others as well!

    ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

    Szandra P
  • “We really appreciate the way he went about his business before, during and especially after”

    Today we had Tyler from Emu Plumbing come out to our address in Coorparoo. He was courteous, helpful and fixed our issue without to much fuss.

    But what impressed us the most is the fact he cleaned up the mess created and went the extra yard to leave our site spotless. We really appreciate the way he went about his business before, during and especially after.

    Later that night, we had the guys from Urban Utilities to fix up the issue in the mains. They even commented on how the plumber cleaned. Thanks Tyler!

    ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

    Tony W

Request an on-site quote

Talk to us today for a comprehensive on-site quote for pipe relining,
water jetter, CCTV pipe inspection and more!

Get Your Quote
or call us on 07 3358 3201

Confirm your Plumbing Health Check

To confirm your plumbing health check simply fill out the form below and one of our friendly staff will be in touch to book in your appointment.

Start your enquiry here

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.