Flexible connection for the mixer: how to choose + install a bellows connection for water

To connect water-heating equipment, a toilet, a mixer and other plumbing devices, an eyeliner is needed that will connect them to the water supply. This element may have a flexible or rigid construction.

Most users prefer the first option. Such a choice is made for a reason - the flexible supply for the mixer is compact, practical and easy to install. Are you planning to purchase and install such a device, but doubt your own strength?

We will help you in solving this problem. The article describes the features of different types of flexible hoses, specifies the specifics of their use and provides practical tips on choosing the right option. In addition, we have prepared detailed installation instructions for the connection for the mixer.

Features of flexible plumbing eyeliners

Unlike hard fixtures, eyeliner equipped with a movable structure can be easily installed in inaccessible places with limited space.

Key Product Benefits

During the time-consuming installation process, steel pipes are bent and fastened with clamps, resulting in a bulky metal structure. Installation of a flexible product is much simpler, while the overall quality and reliability of the entire system remains at its best.

The device is a durable elastic hose with a length of 0.3 to 5 meters. Fasteners with rubber sealing rings are inserted at the ends on both sides.

Flexible eyeliner is often used in interior design solutions. When connected to recessed taps, it is hidden in a separate unit located inside the wall

Typically, well-known manufacturers of mixers complete the equipment with this particular type of connector, which is justified by a huge number of advantages.

The main advantages of the products:

• convenient and safe operation;
• tight design made of high quality materials;
• a simple installation / disassembly process for an inexperienced user that does not require specific knowledge, skills and professional equipment;
• resistance to vibrations, the effects of hydraulic shocks that periodically occur in the pipeline;
• a long period of good service, subject to the correct operating conditions;
• maintaining normal performance over a wide temperature range.

If necessary, the bendable eyeliners move freely relative to the mixer and other plumbing fixtures, which cannot be said about their analogues.

If you perform such manipulations carefully, you can not be afraid of accidental structural damage.

Reliable products with appropriate certificates and proper labeling are sold in specialized stores. The accompanying passport describes in detail all the characteristics. The declared service life should not be less than 5 years

Of course, the listed advantages apply only to high-quality manufactured products. To purchase a hose with good technical characteristics, you should pay attention to the products of reliable brands.

For instance, Tucai, Mateu, Uni-fitt. These manufacturers provide a guarantee on their products and have sanitary permits for contacting devices with drinking water. Among domestic manufacturers, companies are popular Monolith, Flexiline, Water technology.

The negative sides of the device

Elastic hoses, although they are the best way to bring water, are not without drawbacks.

According to the results of the analysis of consumer reviews taken from thematic forums and social networks, the following negative nuances are highlighted:

• products are afraid of excessive twisting, tension, kinks that provoke irreversible deformation of the structure and greatly reduce the service life;
• if an open source of fire is located near the proposed installation site, installation of a flexible hose is prohibited;
• with the simultaneous supply of water to several rooms in the bellows tubes, vibrations occur, causing a characteristic hum.

The metal elements present in the device oxidize over time, which leads to the onset of corrosion processes.

When purchasing a product, you need to specify for which plumbing it will be used. The connection method depends on this. The sales assistant will show the types of eyeliners that are suitable for mixers

It should also be noted that certain types of flexible eyeliner are sensitive to critical temperatures. Too hot water with a temperature close to boiling can damage the device, causing unwanted leaks and flooding.

Types of eyeliner: characteristics and specifics of application

Elastic hoses for mixers are divided into two categories: reinforced braid eyeliner and bellows tubes. We will deal with the features of each type of product in more detail.

Reinforced braided flexible hoses

The first type of eyeliner is a soft hose with high elastic properties reinforced with a special braid.

The ends of the tube are equipped with fittings, with which the design is attached to the mixer: on one side there is a fitting, on the other a union nut with a certain diameter of the external thread. Reinforced devices have an affordable price, so they are most in demand among buyers.

Despite the simple production technology, the structure of the hoses is quite complex. The base consists of rubber, rubber or cross-linked reinforced polyethylene (PEX).

Experts argue that in systems that supply drinking water, the use of rubber eyeliners is undesirable. Throughout the entire length of the product is braided with wire thread. For the manufacture of braids using various materials.

Stainless steel. The most common type of winding for reinforced hose. It is characterized by optimal operating parameters of an average level: the device works perfectly within 10 atm. pressure and + 95 ° C of the fluid passing through it. Stainless steel devices work stably for up to 10 years.

Galvanized wire is a budget option both in terms of price and technical characteristics. Eyeliners made of this material have good flexibility, but they are not strong enough and fail quickly.

Nylon. The material has improved performance. Eyeliners with a nylon braid are as functional as possible: they are able to withstand up to + 110 ° C and up to 20 atm. pressure. Their service life significantly exceeds analogues and usually is at least 15 years.

Aluminum braid suitable only for those systems where the water temperature does not exceed + 80 ° C, and the working pressure is not more than 5 atm. Such material is subject to corrosion, so it is better to use it in rooms with low humidity. Flexible hoses reinforced with aluminum braid do not require replacement for about 5 years.

Bellows tubing for water

The second type of liner is represented by bellows hoses. The durability and reliability of these models is much higher than reinforced products. The devices stand out for their unusual design, giving them great flexibility.

It consists of stainless steel assembled in alternating rings of different diameters. At the initial stages of production, the hose blank is selectively crimped, resulting in a movable corrugation shape.

The bellows water supply can be foldable or have a fixed length. The first option is stretched within the range established by the manufacturer: from 200 to 355 mm, from 140 to 250 mm, etc.

Handle folding hoses with caution, as excessive stretching shortens the life of the hose. Fixed-length eyeliner is not stretchable. It is produced in a specifically designated size: from 20 to 80 cm (in 10 cm increments).

Devices exhibit high resistance to low and high temperature parameters. They work perfectly in the range from -50 to +250 degrees. Bellows life spans 25 years

Bellows hoses are united by a common drawback - noise when supplying water to several consumers at once. The problem is relevant when, for example, water is supplied to the boiler, toilet and faucet at the same time.

To exclude it, experts recommend choosing an eyeliner with an insulating coating of plastic. In addition, there are special anti-vibration modifications that absorb sound.

Basic product selection criteria

To choose a fitting for the mixer suitable for all parameters, which will last more than one year without problems, a few simple recommendations will help.

Before directly buying the product, experts advise:

1. Check the compliance with the actual operating temperature, pressure in the water supply of the apartment or private home with the technical characteristics of the eyeliner indicated on the label and in the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Consider future operating conditions in the selection of braiding material. For wet rooms with poor ventilation systems should not purchase products with a metal braid. Condensation that will settle on its surface will quickly lead to corrosion and damage the device.
3. Estimate the weight of the product. There is a high probability that too light hoses are made of aluminum and low-grade metals, which quickly collapse during operation.
4. Make sure there are no sharp chemical odors. They indicate the use of hazardous technical rubber in a product.
5. Test eyeliner for elasticity. Insufficiently flexible, “oak” tubes quickly crack and burst shortly after installation.

One of the main components of the hose is the fittings.They must be carefully examined. It is important that they are well pressed and have no visible defects.

The pressure parameters in centralized water supply systems are about 4 atm., But they are characterized by frequent fluctuations. For safety reasons, choose hoses with a margin of 20-25%

Optimum materials for nuts are nickel-plated brass and stainless steel. Aluminum for water supply is not categorically suitable. Also, do not take eyeliners with flimsy plastic fittings.

When choosing a device, they are guided by the type of connection to the water supply system and the mixer, the type / size of the threaded connection, the length of the sleeve.

The thread may be internal or external from 0.5 to 1.5 inches. This parameter is consistent with the holes in the pipe and the device to which the hose will be connected.

For washing, shower and sink, it is better to consider eyeliners with a diameter of at least 10 mm. The required length is determined based on the distance between the plumbing fixture and the pipe outlet.

It is believed that it is ideal if, after connecting to the hose, excessive stress is not created and additional bends are not formed.

Reinforced and bellows products from cheap components and low-grade raw materials are seriously limited in terms of life

Eyeliner Connection Instructions

It’s not necessary to involve specialists to install a flexible eyeliner. You can cope with this simple process on your own, spending a few minutes. Installation of a hose is made not only for new, but also already used mixers.

Replacing a device is essential in two cases:

• eyeliner is strongly deformed or burst;
• leaks appeared in the area of ​​connection with the mixer and the pipeline due to wear or damage to the gasket and union nut.

The installation procedure for connecting the bellows and reinforced eyeliner is identical. First of all, you need to check whether the integrity of the product and the fixtures of the fittings was violated during transportation and storage.

Then you should take precautions by completely shutting off the hot and cold water valves in the water supply system. To drain the remaining fluid, open the tap.

For mounting / dismounting, you need a wrench or adjustable wrench, which is selected for the diameter of the union nut. Using a wrench, part of the old hose connected to the water supply is removed. Water may spill from it, so containers are placed in advance under the fastening points.

If difficulties arise during loosening, the joint area is most likely rusted. The formation of plaque is easily eliminated by surface treatment with a solvent or WD-40 technical lubricating spray

Having disconnected a hose from a water pipe, it is necessary to remove the mixer, having weakened fixing nuts. Next, using the same key, disconnect the lead from the mixer.

The new device is connected in the reverse order. At first, the nut is bent manually, then tightened with a wrench.

If the hose and faucet connectors do not fit together, additional adapters can be used. The tightness of such compounds is ensured by linen thread or FUM tape.

When installing a product, it is worth following a few rules:

• straighten the hose before installation, avoiding excesses;
• screw the flexible tube to the branch and the mixer, without applying excessive forces;
• mount so that it is easy to get to the installation site for the purpose of routine inspection (recommended inspection frequency is once every 6-12 months);
• to connect pairs of parts from similar materials to prevent the development of electrochemical corrosion, also brass + copper is suitable.

The final stage of installation includes mandatory testing of the connected structure.To check the tightness and throughput of the hose, a water supply is connected, after which the functionality of the device is evaluated for half an hour.

The length of the bellows hose should be sufficient for easy stretching installation. The bending radius can exceed the outer diameter by no more than five times

Having found gathering drops in the places of fastenings, it is necessary to tighten the nuts again with a key. If everything is in order, then the hose is ready for full operation.

Any eyeliner connected to the water supply is constantly subjected to stress. Because of this, there is always the possibility that the flexible tube may burst without withstanding the voltage in the system.

In order not to have to correct the serious consequences of flooding, it is advisable to turn off the water supply taps, leaving the house for a long time. A good solution is to use anti-flood systems.

Worn or damaged eyeliner is far from the only cause of mixer failure.

More information about possible crane failures and how to eliminate them is written in the articles:

1. DIY single lever mixer repair: step-by-step instruction
2. How to repair a ball mixer: an overview of popular breakdowns and how to fix them
3. How to repair a faucet in the bathroom with a shower: causes and methods of troubleshooting

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

How to choose the right eyeliner:

More on installing flexible hoses for the mixer:

An overview of individual device models and analysis of factors affecting the product life cycle:

Convenient and practical flexible devices stubbornly push their competitors in the form of rigid metal pipes into the background. They are easy to install, quick to replace, and do not need special care.

However, you should not try to save on such an acquisition: products of dubious quality can entail significant financial losses in the future.

Share with your readers your experience in selecting and connecting a flexible eyeliner to a faucet. Please leave comments, ask questions about the topic of the article and participate in discussions - the feedback form is located below.