Flexible eyeliner for water is a means to connect plumbing to water communications if it is difficult to install rigid pipes. There are two types of flexible water inlets: metal-braided rubber hoses and bellows hoses. Connections using flexible eyeliner are widespread. Installation does not require special devices and time-consuming, installed equipment serves reliably.
Flexible water hoses make it possible to reliably connect the sanitary equipment to the water supply network in a limited space
Content
Some advantages of a flexible pipe
The use of flexible connections makes the water distribution system simple and cumbersome. A simple connection does not preclude long operation. A flexible pipe can be from 20 cm to 5 m long, its inner diameter from ½ inches to 1½ inches. The use of a flexible hose for water supply allows:
- get a tight connection;
- save the internal space of the home by installing plumbing or household appliances;
- if necessary, move installed equipment, such as a washing machine;
- do not use a welding machine when connecting household appliances or plumbing;
- Do not be afraid of vibrations and minor damage;
- Do not be afraid of water hammer;
- install the necessary machinery or equipment on their own, without resorting to the services of a specialist from the outside;
Using a flexible pipe, you can not worry that it will soon have to be changed. With proper installation and operation, it is reliable, looks attractive and will last a long time.
Flexible eyeliner materials
The eyeliner is an elastic hose. It is protected by a metal braid. Fasteners are installed at the ends of the hose. A simple design places certain demands on the details that make it up. A hose for a high-quality product is selected from soft, elastic, well-bending rubber.
Hoses are equipped with fasteners, installation of which is not difficult
It's important to know! Technical rubber has a rather pungent odor, bends badly and quickly fails. Such products should not be used.
For the manufacture of braids can be used:
- aluminum;
- nylon;
- stainless steel.
The aluminum reinforced braid will allow the hose to be operated under pressure up to five atmospheres at a temperature of 80º C. Guaranteed use for two to three years. In conditions of high humidity, aluminum quickly collapses, ceases to protect the hose.
Stainless steel braid is the most common. It is able to ensure the functioning of the product for ten years at a pressure of up to 10 atmospheres and a temperature of up to 95 ° C. A nylon braid extends the life of the pipe up to 15 years at a temperature of up to 110 ° C and a pressure that rises to 20 atmospheres. Fittings, union nuts are made of stainless steel and nickel-plated brass.
What to look for when buying a product
You need to purchase a hose for an eyeliner, based on its intended purpose, conditions of use. You should know the water temperature and operating pressure in the system.
The purpose of the product is easy to determine by the color of the braided threads; if there is both blue and red color - such a hose is considered universal
In the marking, colored ribbons woven into the braid are used:
- red - for flexible eyeliner for hot water;
- blue - for cold;
- red and blue are for universal use.
On eyeliners of inadequate quality markings, as usual, no.
On the label of a flexible eyeliner for water, technical specifications are applied. The weight of the hose in the hand should be felt, excessive lightness indicates poor quality materials. A product with an aluminum braid can quickly form a condensate. The reinforcement will oxidize and collapse; a joint replacement will be required.
The fittings deserve special attention. Plastic will not work long. The fitting must be well pressed with a braid grip, with a stainless steel sleeve and a tube inserted to the end. Otherwise, the design may simply fall off. High-quality union nuts cannot be too light and thin so that rubber seals do not crack and a leak does not form.
Important! It is unacceptable to connect gas pipelines to the water supply. They contain toxic substances that are dangerous to the human body.
Metal braided rubber hoses
The most common flexible eyeliner for water is a metal-braided rubber hose. It is extremely easy to manufacture. This is one of the reasons for the relatively low cost of the product. Modern manufacturers use EPDM ethylene rubber as the material for the hose. It does not have a sharp chemical smell, is non-toxic, suitable for piping drinking water.
Flexible hoses 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. A stationary pipe is usually impossible to bring to it. The flexible water hose is easy to connect to other household appliances: a toilet (urinal, bidet), a washing machine and dishwasher, and a water heater. It is applicable wherever there is a hot and / or cold water supply. The rubber hose for connection is very convenient, simple and practical.
The anti-vibration eyeliner is of higher quality. The hoses of such a product have an increased diameter compared to standard ones. They are used when connecting devices equipped with domestic pumps. The use of a special rubber anti-vibration design can significantly reduce the level of noise and vibration in the water distribution network.
Good to know! It is not recommended to use rubber eyeliner hoses longer than one and a half to two meters.
Advantages and disadvantages of flexible armored water liner
A stainless steel braided rubber hose is usually connected to a water heater, washing machine or dishwasher, toilet bowl. It is designed for use within two to three years, provided that the water temperature does not exceed 90º C. Practice shows that flexible pipes also serve a much longer period. Connecting a braided rubber hose to the heating system is irrational.
Reinforced hose option
The undoubted advantages of reinforced hoses for water supply should include:
- flexibility (can be used, experiencing a clear lack of free space for installation);
- significant strength used in the manufacture of materials;
- environmental friendliness, compliance with sanitary standards;
- speed of assembly with the help of simple equipment;
- ease of installation, not requiring much effort
- comparative cheapness.
The disadvantages of flexible eyeliners are inextricably linked to their advantages.The rubber, providing flexibility, interacting with water, quickly deteriorates. Frequent bending of the elastic metal braid accelerates its wear.
Bellows eyeliner
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 was ensured by the following technical characteristics:
- high resistance to fractures and compressions, not leading to a violation of the shape and inner diameter;
- withstands water hammer;
- not subject to burning;
- ability to work in an incredibly wide temperature range - from -50ºС to + 250ºС;
- resistance to oxidation under the influence of oxygen;
- speed of installation in cramped, uncomfortable conditions.
Bellows eyeliner has many advantages over conventional braided hoses
These properties allow the bellows hose to function uninterruptedly for at least twenty-five years. Manufacturers give a thirty-year warranty on the fluoroplastic nuts used, as usual, when installing the bellows liner.
The use of a bellows pipe is recommended in high pressure and elevated temperatures, that is, for connecting radiators, water heaters, towel warmers and other similar devices. Another parameter that determines the choice of the bellows pipe is the lack of space for installing any other connections.
In addition to a simple bellows eyeliner, there is a more attractive, “folding” form. It comes folded. The corrugation is not stretched, the sleeve takes up less space. And during installation, you just need to pull it to the desired length.
Installation of eyeliner for water
Before proceeding with the installation of supply flexible pipes, you should carefully make sure that they are not damaged. Even an expensive and high-quality product could be damaged during transportation or during storage. After this, you must ensure the completeness and integrity of the gasket set. When starting work, you should remember the important rules for handling a flexible eyeliner:
- it can not be pulled, so the required length is calculated in advance;
- eyeliner cannot be twisted, deformation will make it unsuitable;
- It is recommended to bend a metal flexible eyeliner for water according to the values specified in the product passport. The eyeliner cannot be bent by more than 5-6 of its outer diameters;
- give the necessary configuration to the liner before attaching the nuts;
- Do not bend the pipe closer than 7 cm to the union nut attached to the consumer;
- for union nuts, take only flat washers;
- it is better to twist the tips by hand. Using an adjustable wrench, it will be quite enough to crank the tip after this, for a maximum of one revolution. Using excessive force can easily damage the gasket.
When mounting the eyeliner, do not overtighten the nuts.
How to make eyeliner yourself
For the independent manufacture of flexible eyeliners for water you will need:
- flexible pipe, preferably stainless, of good quality;
- pipe cutter;
- roller;
- nuts
- gaskets.
With the help of a pipe cutter, a pipe of the required length is cut. The resulting corrugated pipe is inserted into the roll with a protrusion on two rings. For rolling each side of the pipe, a few hammer blows are required. When rolling flexible hoses with a diameter of one inch or more, fix them with a metal retaining ring. The made metal flexible eyeliner for water is completed with prepared gaskets.
It is desirable to match the inner diameter of the hose with the inner diameter of the pipes of the water supply system. With a smaller diameter of the eyeliner, the available water flow will be reduced, otherwise, the pressure will drop sharply.
The ability to install flexible eyeliner for water of different sizes and diameters greatly simplified the installation and use of plumbing 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 blends into the surroundings, bringing comfort and convenience.
