Are flexi pipes bad?

Discussion in 'Plumbers' Talk' started by Sunny1880, Jun 9, 2022.

  1. Sunny1880

    Sunny1880 Member

    Under my sinks and toilet we have flexi pipes fitted. On the downstairs bathroom sink, upon putting the hot water on, the flexi burst and water spattered out non stop. I had to turn it off from isolation valve until I can get it fixed in the mean time. Do flexis have a lifespan and are they rubbish compared to good old soldering copper pipes? The flexi that burst was roughly 10 years old. I’m worried that the other flexis around my home might burst one day. Is it worth getting them all changed when I’m doing the one that is currently burst? Do people on her have problems with flexis?
     
  2. koolpc

    koolpc Super Member

    They should be fine. Never had an issue.
     
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  3. I-Man

    I-Man Screwfix Select

    I've had this happen many a time in various rental properties.. To be fair they were probably not the best quality, so that's something I always consider now. Also, always ensure they are not kinked.
     
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  4. Hans_25

    Hans_25 Screwfix Select

    Had one leak in my OHs house, had been there a while so yes they do have a lifespan.
     
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  5. Rail_man

    Rail_man Member

    Wouldn't say 'bad' as a general rule - I think it depends on the quality and the installation. Some last for longer than others and some people claim to have had them for 20 year etc. with no problems - but if it was my house, I would go with copper tap tails. Note that many CH filling loops are flexi-hoses.

    I connected my tap tials to compression joints to allow for dismantling in the future if needed, and I put the isolation valves before the tap tails - doing this with flexis and not useing the flexis with valves on them allows for much easier maintenence!!
     
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  6. just pumps

    just pumps Screwfix Select

    As above, I don't see the point of the flexi with a built on isolation valve. Average life of a flexi is 7 years.
     
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  7. exbg

    exbg Screwfix Select

    Says who?

    I have never seen that written anywhere, but could be wrong.

    Is it the same as the 10 years that was oft quoted as the life of a combi?
     
  8. robertpstubbs

    robertpstubbs Screwfix Select

    Never seen a flexi fail per se. Normally just badly installed.

    Can anybody explain the logic of this one?

    72A925FE-762C-49CB-885F-29266547133D.jpeg
     
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  9. Sunny1880

    Sunny1880 Member

    I think when the flexi starts looking brown and mouldy and can see that it’s becoming bit sharp when running fingers through it, it is worn out and is likely to burst. The one of mine that burst was very mouldy and brown and then it eventually burst from a section and spattered water on floor. All my flexis are brown and mouldy now, so I will look to replace them all and buy them from screwfix, the 3 pound ones.
     
  10. robertpstubbs

    robertpstubbs Screwfix Select

    The brown/mouldy appearance is from hard water running down it and most likely to be caused by not being connected tightly.
     
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  11. Tilt

    Tilt Screwfix Select

    Logically at least, ones on the hot supply would be most at risk on a pressured system.

    seconded by any cold mains supply. IMO anyway.

    I would definitely change them if they look dodgy anyway, otherwise asking for trouble.
     
  12. Sunny1880

    Sunny1880 Member

    Yeah I’ve noticed that the hot water taps one are more mouldy. It was originally the hot water one that burst too. I have high water pressure in the area.
     
  13. exbg

    exbg Screwfix Select

    If it is brown and mouldy there is either an environmental problem or a leak.

    The outer metal sheath is not leak no proof, the inner plastic tube is.

    If it is environmental there will be no risk to the tube


    A leak occurs when the inner plastic is compromised
     
  14. Wayners

    Wayners Screwfix Select

    I see then knotted up and doing loops. That's not good but if fairly straight they are fine. I have a few at home myself
     
  15. just pumps

    just pumps Screwfix Select

    If the outer metal braiding starts to breakdown it can puncture the rubber hose.
     
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  16. teabreak

    teabreak Screwfix Select

    In my experience 8 to 10 years is all I would trust them for.
     
  17. Tilt

    Tilt Screwfix Select

    Never thought of the internal effects of that.....

    But I know what it does to a finger if you catch the outside of one, Lol.
     

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