A plumber in Eltham explains what flexi connectors are and what they do

If you take a look under your sink, basin and even behind your toilet, you might notice something that many of these fixtures have in common.

If you look closely enough you might notice that they all feature flexible metal or plastic hoses weaving all over the place. These are known as flexi connectors.

While we rarely notice them, these tubes play a vital role in your home plumbing – but only when they are in good condition.

Today, our plumber in Eltham explains exactly what flexi connectors are, what they do, and the importance of getting fraying or rusted connectors inspected and replaced.

What are flexi connectors?

Flexi connectors (sometimes called “flexi hoses”) are a common sight in many a bathroom.

Their function is simple: they connect water fixtures to water pipes.

Sinks, taps, tubs and basins all need to be connected to the rest of your home’s plumbing system.

No two homes are identical – your bathroom cabinet might be a lot more cramped than your neighbour’s, for example.

Instead of having to cut and weld copper pipes together like in the old days, flexi connectors allow plumbers to connect your taps and toilets much faster, and with a fraction of the effort too!

As one of the most common pieces of plumbing hardware in use today, a problem with your flexi connectors can turn into a problem with your entire bathroom.

To maintain a functioning bathroom, laundry or kitchen you’ll need to make sure that a plumbing professional is on-hand to help you with installing and maintaining your flexi connectors.

Common flexi connector problems

One of the major concerns some homeowners hold regarding pipes in general is the risk of a pipe bursting.

We don’t blame you – burst pipes means flooding in your home and water damage to your floors, ceiling, and carpets – yikes!

And when it comes to flexi connectors, this problem is often at the top of a homeowner’s mind. After all, if it bends in the middle, it can’t be that strong, can it?

Fortunately, flexi connectors themselves are insanely strong – they have to be!

With a stainless-steel exterior and rubber pipe interior, it can be easily twisted, bent and otherwise manipulated to adapt to individual homes while maintaining a high degree of strength and durability.

And while most are metal with rubber lining, their plastic and rubber cousins are equally as strong.

In fact, the rare instances where flexi connectors fail can often be chalked up to external factors such as:

• Faulty or incorrect installation – flexi connectors might be overstretched, too tight or too loose
• A complete lack of maintenance – kinking, fraying and rusting of the hose
• Extreme age – everything wears out eventually, and an older connector (riddled with rust!) will have a higher chance of bursting

And just like any other plumbing fixtures, it’s completely possible to prevent your flexi connectors from bursting at all in the first place. As long as you take the necessary measures…

How can I prevent flexi connectors from bursting?

We live in a world where “do-it-yourself” projects are growing in popularity.

Thanks to reality TV and the internet, people are more willing than ever to put on a tool belt and fix their own problems.

However, like we have said many times before, there are some problems you should never attempt to fix yourself, including anything to do with plumbing.

To prevent your flexi connectors from bursting or from causing damage to your home, you need to make sure that you only ever hire a licensed plumber to deal with installation, maintenance, and replacement.

Regular plumbing maintenance plays a huge role in preventing your flexi connectors from bursting by identifying any issues (wither with the connecter itself or its mounting) before they have the opportunity to cause disastrous damage.

Look out for the signs: are your flexi connectors working past their due date?

Most flexi connections are not built to last for more than just five or 10 years. Are your home’s connections showing the signs of age?

Get them replaced urgently if you notice any of the following signs:

• Rust
• Buckling
• Fraying
• Cracking

Looking for a plumber in Eltham to inspect and replace your flexi connectors?

H2-Pro’s expert plumbers are just a call away!

A good plumbing system is essential in any home, apartment, or townhouse. And central to many plumbing fixtures are healthy flexi connectors!

H2-Pro’s team of plumbers know how to look after your flexi connectors. From choosing the correct hose sizes to installation, you can trust us to take care of it for you.

We are a family-run business that has a team of highly qualified professional plumbers serving Melbourne’s entire north-east, including Warrandyte, Eltham, and Doncaster.

And while we’re here, we can also address your other plumbing problems including leaks and any hot water issues.

If you’re looking for plumbing assistance, look no further. Call H2-Pro anytime of the day or night on (03) 9844 1444. Alternatively, fill in this contact form and we’ll get back to you!