The bathroom is a place where everyone can relax and relieve stress after a hard day at work. But it wouldn't hurt to do this good repair which will bring aesthetic pleasure. Quality and appearance Plumbing plays a special role in this.
Types of shower hose
Shower hose is a component. Visually, it is a flexible long tube, the main purpose of which is to connect the nozzle and the mixer.
As a rule, the base is made of dense rubber or plastic. To add rigidity, the material is covered again with windings. They also perform protective function, preventing destruction due to impact high temperatures and pressure, external mechanical influences in the form of twisting.
The flexible shower hose is equipped with tapered or straight end nuts on both sides. One is used to connect to the shower head, and the other is used to connect to the mixer.
To replace a hose, you need to select the most suitable suitable option, since it is an integral element of the shower system. There are several main types, their difference lies in the winding material.
Metal winding
Metal shower hoses are a tube made of polymer, rubber or plastic, enclosed in a metal-coated braid or spring casing. Thanks to such a durable coating, it is possible to make the product resistant to bending or breaking.
Hoses with metal braid are the most common because they have an affordable price and a long service life. Optimal ratio price and quality allows you to replace a part without much damage to the family budget.
Plastic winding
Hoses made from plastic can be made entirely of plastic, or the substance can serve as a wrap for a base of high-strength rubber. The latter can withstand temperatures up to +80 degrees.
Operational specifications The mechanisms are excellent; in tandem with metal wire, they are capable of exhibiting the following:
- long period of use;
- high strength;
- flexibility.
TO negative qualities products are prone to cracking and drying out. Therefore, it is not recommended to wind plastic hoses around the faucet after using it or expose it to warm or hot water for a long time.
Plastic components are produced with a spiral or smooth coating made of chrome, white, transparent or colored material. Please note that the transparent plastic wrap will lose its properties over time. external characteristics, because due to chemical impurities in the water it begins to turn yellow.
Innovative developments
Every year, plumbing accessories and components for them are improved, therefore, they serve as a worthy alternative to traditional plumbing. An innovative silicone layer (silicone) on the metal winding protects the metal from delamination and the harmful effects of corrosion, improves performance characteristics main segments. Due to the characteristics of the material used, this hose has excellent elasticity and flexibility.
Some models are protected from twisting; this can be achieved thanks to special bearings that are built into the end fittings. Thanks to this simple internal structure they manage to rotate freely around their axis.
To increase strength, some plastic accessories and components are reinforced with metal or nylon threads. The leaders in the domestic market are manufacturers from Germany, Italy and Hungary.
Popular models and manufacturers
Each hardware manufacturer produces its products in entire series and designer collections, which allows you to choose the right accessory for any bathroom design style. The most popular and sought-after designs from well-known brands:
- Silverflex from Grohe (manufacturing country - Germany). The product is based on plastic with a smooth surface. It has increased flexibility, making the shower head easy to control during washing. Its edges are protected from creases, it is also equipped with a rotating Anti-Twist cone, and the surface of the product is chrome-plated. The cord is not short, the length is 1.5 meters.
- Hansgrohe Isiflex (manufacturer Germany). The accessory is made of plastic, the surface is smooth and has increased flexibility, which makes the washing process incredibly simple and comfortable. It is especially convenient to use it in a shower box or stall; the watering can be rotated 360 degrees. The joints of the parts are protected from creases, this is ensured thanks to the rotating cone. The size of the rubber hose is 2 meters.
- Tempesta Trio (Germany). The material is plastic and has a smooth glossy surface. It is also equipped with increased flexibility and protection against breaks and bends. The hose has a standard thread with a diameter of ½ inch and a length of 1.25 meters.
There are many more models and manufacturers to suit every taste and budget. When choosing plumbing equipment, it is recommended to first familiarize yourself with the selection criteria.
How to choose a suitable design
The range of shower accessories and components for them is huge, but the quality does not always correspond to the functionality and price declared by the manufacturer. When choosing a hose in a store, you should focus on the following criteria:
- Manufacturer. German fixtures are famous for their impeccable assembly and quality of plumbing. But it is worth noting that they are also the most expensive, this is perhaps the only drawback. Russian, Czech and Hungarian brands are more accessible.
- Material. The most reliable hoses are those that are made of a silicone sheath and are housed in a metal casing. The multilayer structure prevents surface cracking. The most reliable shell is ordinary metal corrugation.
- Length. The ease of use of the accessory fully depends on this parameter. A short hose will be stretched, while a long one, on the contrary, will get in the way. As a rule, the most convenient hose length is 1.7 meters.
- Equipment. The connection points are equipped with a rotating cone or bearings. Products made in Germany have an Anti-Twist protective coating. It is important to study the quality of the connections themselves; they should not be pressed.
- Appearance. Before purchasing, you should carefully inspect the hose from all sides. It should be free of sagging at the joints, crooked threads and burrs. Uneven color, uneven corrugation, thickening - obvious signs poor quality product, you should refrain from purchasing it.
Please note that the hose kit includes two rubber gaskets for the nuts. The packaging supplied with the accessory indicates the manufacturer, technical characteristics of the product: equipment, hose length, thread diameter and material of manufacture.
Caring for your shower set, preventing breakdowns
As you know, it is more difficult to repair components than to prevent breakdowns. Ensures long-term operation proper care for plumbing.
What not to do:
- allow prolonged exposure to hot water to the hose;
- wrap it around the faucet;
- clear plaque chemicals with an aggressive composition or abrasive particles;
- twist and/or wring.
These simple recommendations will allow you not only to choose the most suitable shower hose, but also to properly care for it, thereby maintaining its performance characteristics and appearance. Please note that it is best to give preference to products with antibacterial coating.
From time to time, the connection between the shower head and the faucet in the bathroom loses its original tightness, and leaks appear. This means the moment has come when you need to purchase a 3-meter shower hose. Despite the fact that the connecting watering can and faucet can be purchased at any plumbing store, the choice of this accessory deserves a special approach.
The fact is that the connection between the watering can and the mixer is the weakest link in the equipment of the entire bathroom. During operation, the shower hose moves from side to side, twists and unwinds dozens of times. It’s no wonder that the service life of a low-quality product can be only a month.
Important: How long you will use the shower without the need to repair the plumbing yourself depends on how correctly the hose is chosen.
Design features
The most common shower hose connection is a flexible polymer or rubber tube encased in a metal casing.
In order for the tube in the metal sleeve to bend from side to side, the shell is a spiral made of steel tape. The tape on special machines is deformed in a special way and assembled into a special sleeve, which bends well and at the same time protects the rubber tube from possible damage.
End fittings are installed on both sides of the connector, which, on the one hand, are screwed onto the mixer, and on the other hand, onto the watering can.
A less common modification, the price of which is less high, is a completely rubber hose without external reinforcement. To ensure the required strength, nylon or metal threads are located in the thickness of the rubber tube. Like the previous modification, this type of hose is equipped with end fittings.
Regardless design features, after a certain time of constant use, the connectors become unsuitable for subsequent use. As a result, the shower hose needs to be repaired. But, before we repair anything, let's consider the main causes of leaks.
Causes of leaks
Before disassembling the mixer and disconnecting the flexible hose, let’s determine the causes of the leak.
Among the main reasons we note the following:
- incorrect installation of the hose;
- natural wear of the tube due to long-term use;
- natural wear of the gasket or union nut of end fittings;
- initially low quality products.
Repairing leaks in case of incorrect installation
If the installation was initially performed incorrectly and the fittings were not tightened or the gasket was not installed, a leak will appear in the very first days of using the shower.
In this case, the troubleshooting instructions are simple:
- Remove the watering can and disconnect it.
- We check the presence of gaskets. In some cases, the gasket needs to be turned over so that it fits more tightly into its seat.
- Next, screw the fittings into their original position and check for leaks. If there are none, troubleshooting can be considered completed.
Repair in case of wear of the inner tube
On average, a modern inexpensive shower with a hose works for 2-3 seasons before the first leaks appear. After this, you can see water leaking from under the metal braid.
Such damage is typical for cheap products included in budget shower sets. The essence of wear is that in the cold season the water temperature in the water supply system is no more than +5°C.
The rubber tube hardens at this temperature. As a result, when we move the watering can from side to side, for example, when we wash a bathtub or tray, microcracks appear on the surface of the tube.
During subsequent operation, the microcracks expand, and the moment comes when water begins to ooze out of them and a leak appears from under the protective shell.
The repair instructions in this case are as follows:
- We dismantle the hose.
- From the end where we noticed the leak, we move the union nut so that a gasket and a metal or plastic sleeve appear.
- Next, we move the outer shell and pull out the tube.
- If there is a crack near the fitting itself, use a knife or screwdriver to pry off the bushing with the gasket.
- The damaged section of the tube is cut so that the edges of the cut are even.
- With some effort, insert the bushing and gasket into the cut tube.
- After this, install the hose in its original place and check for leaks. If there are none, the repair is complete.
- If the leak is not at the fitting itself, but, for example, in the middle of the hose, you will have to replace the inner tube. To do this, disconnect the bushings with the gasket on both sides and completely remove the old tube.
Next, we purchase a similar rubber product on the market of the appropriate diameter and length. We insert a new tube into the metal braid, insert bushings with gaskets at both ends and attach it to the watering can and to the mixer.
At the final stage, we check for leaks. If there are none, the repair can be considered completed.
Complete replacement
So, we found out how to fix the shower hose, all that remains is to find out how to completely replace it.
Important: In some cases, it makes no sense to restore budget hoses, since many cracks form throughout the cheap tube during operation. If such a product is restored, there is a high probability that after some time you will discover new leaks.
Don't know how to change the shower hose?
The technology is simple:
- unscrew the connector at the mixer;
- remove the watering can from the other end;
- we go to a plumbing store, where we purchase a similar-sized product of a higher price category;
- Returning from the store, we assemble the entire system in reverse order;
- After assembly, check for leaks.
Conclusion
Now that we know how to repair a shower hose, you can carry out the planned plumbing repairs yourself without the involvement of qualified specialists.
Still have questions that require clarification? More useful information can be found by watching the video in this article.
A mixer for a bathtub or shower consists of a water-spraying head and a flexible hose connected to it in a protective sheath with two union nuts at the ends.
Such shower hoses create comfortable conditions For water procedures, when you can direct the watering can as conveniently as possible, and, if necessary, hang it on a special bracket. Thanks to the pre-mounted holder on the wall, you can free your hands. If necessary, simply remove the mixer from the bracket and continue to use it as usual.
A household shower hose consists of the following required elements:
- The inner tube through which water from the mixer is delivered to the watering can with a sprinkler.
- A metal (sometimes polymer) shell that protects the rubber tube from damage or kinks.
- Two connecting fittings equipped with union nuts.
The latter elements have a special protective coating and are used to seal the hose with the shower head and bath mixer. Before repairing a damaged product, the fittings are first disassembled.
The simplest examples of shower hoses produced by industry can be without an outer sheath.
These shower hoses are made from a thick rubber tube that does not require additional protection. At the same time, regardless of the design, the product must ensure an uninterrupted flow of liquid into the watering can.
When choosing a product, pay attention to their differences in the following characteristics:
- First of all, this is the length of the hoses for shower stalls.
- Next comes the material from which their protective shell is made.
- Finally, when choosing a hose suitable for a shower stall, the design and quality of not only the casing itself, but also the chrome-plated union nuts are taken into account.
The choice of the first of these parameters depends on the specific operating conditions (the convenience of placing the hose on the bracket is taken into account).
Before replacing a shower hose, try to buy a product with a spare length (you can shorten it at any time).
Depending on the prestige of the model, which affects its cost, shower hoses can have the most different versions protective shell.
Well-known manufacturers from Germany “Grohe” and “Kaiser”, for example, produce exclusively premium class shower hoses. In the area of their connection with the watering can there is an additional thrust bearing, and their braiding is combined, multi-layered.
Breakdowns and repairs
Prolonged and intensive use of shower accessories leads to their wear, and water leaks in certain places. Simultaneously with the flow of the shower hose, its pressure through the watering can noticeably decreases.
The reason for this is the destruction of the rubber tube at the junction with the watering can (water flows in the place where the tube is bent more often). If this malfunction is detected, you can repair the shower hose yourself. A simple approach is to cut out the damaged area by shortening the hose. In a situation where a gap is detected in the middle part, it will no longer be possible to do without its complete replacement.
To restore a shower hose with your own hands, you will have to prepare pliers, a screwdriver and scissors (it is also advisable to stock up on sealing gaskets).
Flexible shower hose repair
Consists of the following:
- Before you can fix the shower hoses, you will first need to disassemble the shower head itself. To do this, first unscrew the chrome-plated union nut on the joint part.
It should be removed with extreme caution so as not to damage the factory coating.
- Before disassembling the joint, first move the steel braid to the side and find the area of \u200b\u200bthe gap.
- After this, you need to remove the gasket and the metal nipple located nearby. To do this, use a flat screwdriver or a well-sharpened knife.
- Once this operation is complete, you should simply cut off the damaged part, making sure that the edge of the cut is smooth.
After the hose has been partially dismantled and cut from the damaged side, it must be put back on the nipple. Craftsmen advise preheating the rubber at the joint with boiling water, which will make it easier to pull it onto the mating part.
Then this assembly is reassembled in the reverse order, and the repair of the shower hose can be considered complete.
In a situation where a fault is found in the middle part of the tube, before changing the shower hose, first measure its length so that when purchasing a new product, you will be guided by this size.
If the cause of the leak is a violation of the tightness at the joint, you should replace the sealing element or tighten the union nut more.
The shower hose got loose the other day, but there didn’t seem to be any symptoms. Nothing leaked anywhere, it just took it and burst, so much so that all the water ran through the corrugation of the hose, and not a drop came out of the watering can. On the other hand, he is already more than 5 years old and perhaps his time has come to retire. I found a replacement very quickly, since a new shower hose had been lying around in the toolbox for six months already. True, its design is cheaper, the corrugation is ugly (you can see the crooked rolling), the nut for the mixer is even scary to hold in your hands, it’s almost made of tin, all thin-walled. And the nut on the watering can is generally made of plastic, in general it’s not a hose, but just a disappointment.
By the way, if you just unscrewed the corrugation (metal braid) from the end of the hose, then here it is. But this most likely applies to those cases when the corrugation was unscrewed, and not broken or unraveled somewhere in the middle.
This is the same new hose, I don’t know what kind of sharashka made it, but Potato is scratched on the package.
Gaskets are also included.
This is my old hose, this one has a more noble corrugation, the nuts are all metal, and their walls are thicker. Of course, this does not particularly affect the tightness because there is practically no pressure in this hose. But it still feels like it's a higher quality item.
We turn away the watering can. I myself do not use any wrenches when tightening this hose, so I can always unscrew it easily by hand.
We also unscrew the nut from the mixer. In my case, again with my hands. But if you cannot unscrew this nut by hand, you will have to use open-end wrenches or adjustable wrenches.
By the way, here in the photo I noted that this hose is screwed to my mixer through an adapter. Apparently the mixer is old and made for our (USSR) watering cans, but who the hell knows, since I’m not a plumber, I’m just learning :-) In general, what I mean is that when you change the hose, take the old hose with you to shop so that the threads on the nuts of the new hose are similar to the old one. Well, or you will have to buy an adapter for the shower hose. You should also not forget about the length of the old hose, so as not to grab a short or very long hose, since the range is now huge.
Having unscrewed the old hose, screw a new one onto the mixer, do not forget about the rubber gaskets.
We do the same with the watering can, if the nut is plastic, then you should not tighten it on the watering can very much, using half-meter wrenches, since it can easily break or over time it will burst from overstrain, as usually happens with plastic lids on bubbles, bottles. In general, it is necessary to tighten it so that the watering can does not turn away arbitrarily during operation.
We open the water, check how it all functions and, depending on the test results, enjoy life for some more time. Well, or we get upset if suddenly something goes wrong or doesn’t flow the way we wanted :-)
DIY shower hose repair
It makes sense to read further only for those who like to repair, break, or disassemble anything with their own hands. I found in the toolkit a stub of a PVC hose, which I had long ago used as a hydraulic level when pouring the floor in the kitchen. And I decided to try to insert it into the leaky shower hose, if, of course, it fits the internal and external diameters. Moreover, I didn’t really want to throw away this shower hose because of a rotten piece of rubber, but at least there would be one more hose in reserve.
We tighten the nuts inward onto the corrugation so that they do not interfere.
Remove the rubber rings (gaskets). In general, it is not necessary to remove them, but if they are very old, petrified or fall off on their own, then you can remove them and then replace them with new ones.
Using a screwdriver, we pick out and pull out the brass bushings, sleeves, tubes, pimples, whatever is convenient for you, since I myself don’t really know what to call this part.
We cut off the old hose from these bushings using a knife or the same screwdriver.
If you don’t have a hose, then with this brass bushing you can go to the store for a new hose. To try on a new hose, so to speak, on the spot, right on this tube. Or cut off a piece of the old hose and use this sample to select a similar one. Just be sure to take into account the wall thickness of the new hose, since it will still need to be pushed inside the plastic inserts (which are at the ends of the metal holes)
This is a stub of the hose that I decided to use. It turned out to be a little narrow, but somehow, with force, I still managed to get it onto these sleeves.
But first you need to stretch a new hose inside the corrugation. We cut out the halves of the hoses, lengthwise by 3-5 cm, put the new hose into the old one, tie it tightly with wire or rope (we bend the ends of the wire so that they do not cling inside the corrugation). After that, from the opposite side we pull out the old hose from the corrugation, and at the same time we pull out a new one. Here already look at the place. If the old hose breaks into two parts somewhere inside, then you will have to use something else to pull the new hose through. And perhaps the new hose itself will pass freely through the corrugation without outside help.
We put the ends of the hose on the bushings, then press the bushings themselves into the corrugation. Actually, our new hose is already in place.
We put on new rubber gaskets or return the old ones.
We return the nuts to their place.
In general, this completes the hose repair. They say transparent hoses don’t last long and always recommend using rubber (black) ones. In this regard, I don’t even know what to say, since I already said that I’m not a plumber. I've had it on the shelf for about 7 years, and have been using it in the bathroom for about six months now, since the new Potato was dismantled after the old one was repaired. Moreover, this transparent stub of a hose was nearby, and for a new rubber one we would still have to go and look for it. In general, the counter is turned on, as soon as it goes down, I’ll immediately write a couple of lines here.
How to select, disassemble, clean and repair
A shower head is a sanitary hygienic device that converts a continuous stream of water into a stream of numerous thin jets in the form of rain.
Images of four women washing themselves on Athenian vases indicate that even four centuries BC the Greeks used showers for hygienic procedures. Water was supplied through pipes into the room and through shower screens and poured onto people. Since then, the principle of how the shower works has remained virtually unchanged.
Choosing a shower head
Depending on the installation method, shower heads are either stationary or with a flexible shower hose. Stationary ones can be ceiling or wall mounted. Shower heads with flexible hose are available in two designs wall mounting. Using a headset (the bracket in which the shower head is installed is mounted on a fixed vertical rod and can be moved in height) and using a bracket permanently fixed to the wall.
Both fastening designs allow you to rotate the watering can around its axis and change the angle of inclination, which makes it possible to direct streams of water in the desired direction. The design of the shower head fastening allows you to quickly remove it from the bracket for manual use. This may be necessary, for example, when washing a child or a person with limited mobility, cleaning a bathtub and tiled walls near the bathtub or shower walls.
There are designs where the shower head is not mounted on the wall, but simply lies on the mixer in a special plug. It is inconvenient to use such a watering can when taking water procedures, since one hand is occupied.
Stationary wall and ceiling shower heads are non-removable, the water supply tube is usually hidden in the wall, and the water mixer is installed on the wall, in a place convenient for turning on the supply and adjusting the water pressure. Wall-mounted watering cans usually provide for adjusting the direction of the water jets. In ceiling-mounted systems, this option is available only in very expensive models. The advantage of ceiling showers is the imitation of real rain, thanks to the large area of flow of water jets. Ceiling shower heads are usually made of chrome-plated brass, require more water pressure in the plumbing and are very expensive.
Wall-mounted stationary shower heads, as in the photographs, are also usually made of chrome-plated brass, but they cost much less than ceiling ones. Stationary ones also have the ability to control the direction of the water jet.
If there is a need to wash a child, people with limited mobility or animals, then it is better to refrain from installing a ceiling or wall watering can, or in addition install a watering can with a flexible hose. The photo shows a wall-mounted shower head and an additional one with a flexible hose. The water supply to the watering cans is controlled from one lever mixer tap. Using the button, you can switch the water supply to any of them in turn.
The choice of a shower head with a bracket on a rod is justified only if there are people in the family with a large height range, although the flow of falling jets from any water dispenser of the water head does not expand much towards the bottom, and people of short stature should not experience discomfort when taking a shower. Unless it will be difficult for them, if necessary, to reach the watering can to pick it up. Some people simply like the look of the shower head on a rod design. But this pleasure costs several times more than a shower head with a simple bracket. It should also be noted that if the fixing handles are made of plastic, they will wear out over time.
When choosing a shower head, you need to pay attention to the water divider. Dividers in shower heads come in two types: in the form of a flat plate made of metal or plastic with holes, and in the form of a curved surface, in which not just holes are made, but for each jet a rubber nozzle, which is a short tube, is installed separately.
Thanks to the nozzles, the shape of the column of water flowing from the watering can is shaped in such a way that when the water pressure is weak, the jets do not combine. Due to the elasticity of the rubber, the holes in the divider, unlike flat dividers, will not become clogged with limescale. Only large particles of dirt can clog the holes.
Modern shower heads are usually made of plastic. This reduces the cost, the watering can is lightweight and does not damage the enamel coating if it falls into the bathtub. Thanks to the metallized coating, the body of the watering can has a beautiful appearance.
Based on the foregoing, budget option The purchase of a shower head is a plastic shower head with a rubber divider, a flexible shower hose mounted in a bracket on the wall.
How to disassemble and clean a shower head
Although modern watering cans with rubber nozzles are free from clogging the holes with limescale, large particles of dirt get stuck in the rubber holes and have to be removed manually. When the water supply is resumed after a shutdown, due to water hammer, rust flakes peel off from the walls of the water pipeline, and if at the entrance to the apartment there is no water pipe If at least a coarse water filter is not installed, then dirt particles clog the holes of the divider.
To clean the holes, you must first disassemble the watering can. In old shower heads, the divider was simply unscrewed from the handle. In modern ones, the divider is attached using a self-tapping screw, which is closed with a decorative plug. Therefore, disassembling the shower head begins with removing the plug.
Enough for this sharp object, for example, with a knife or awl, pry the plug over the edge. Sometimes there is a recess on the edge of the plug for this purpose, and the plug will easily come out of the installation location.
Next, use a screwdriver to unscrew the screw and remove the diffuser from the body of the watering can. Now you can start cleaning the holes. Clogged holes are clearly visible in the light. As a tool for cleaning the holes of the divider, you can use a thin metal wire; an unbent paper clip is good for cleaning.
After cleaning, the divider should be rinsed thoroughly with water. If there limescale, then it can be easily removed from the rubber by wiping with a rag. The shower head is assembled in reverse order. When assembling, do not forget to replace the rubber gasket between the body of the watering can and the divider.
The shower head is easy to disassemble and has been in use for a relatively short time. But if you need to clean a watering can that has served for many years, you may encounter a seemingly insurmountable problem - a screw head that has rusted to such an extent that there is nothing to grab onto with the screwdriver blade.
When trying to unscrew a rusty screw, its head crumbled into powder. I had to use proven technology for unscrewing plastic screws with rusted or non-standard slots in the heads.
First, in the center of the self-tapping screw head, using a mini hand drill, a hole with a diameter of 1.5 mm - 2 mm is drilled to a depth of a couple of millimeters. At the end of drilling, slightly rocking the drill in opposite directions, the hole is shaped into an ellipse.
Then, using an electric soldering iron with a power of 40 W, the screw is heated for 2-5 minutes until the plastic around the screw softens. In the photo, the self-tapping screw is heated using a “Moment” pulse soldering iron.
The soldering iron is removed and a screwdriver blade is immediately inserted into the drilled hole. A suitable screwdriver must be prepared in advance. Even a clock screwdriver with a sufficiently wide blade will do. The remains of a rusted screw can be easily unscrewed without damaging the body of the watering can.
The shower head is disassembled and the diffuser can be cleaned. After removing dirt and rinsing the shower head, it is reassembled in the reverse order.
To attach the water divider to the body of the shower head, you must use a new self-tapping screw of the same size as the self-tapping screw that was unscrewed.
I came across another type of shower head, the design of which was different from the designs discussed above.
Upon inspection, it seemed that to disassemble the shower head it was necessary to remove the plug installed in the center of the water divider, but an attempt to remove it did not yield any results. Upon closer examination, it turned out that this was not a plug, but just a decorative groove.
An attempt to unscrew the divider counterclockwise from the shower head body was successful.
How to repair a flexible shower head hose
To supply water from the mixer to the shower head, a flexible hose is used, which is usually included, like the shower head with a bracket for mounting on the wall, in the mixer kit. The faucets are equipped with flexible hoses ranging from 1.25 m to 2 m in length. Therefore, when purchasing a faucet or a replacement flexible shower hose, you need to decide in advance how long the flexible hose is needed.
Today, the most common are flexible hoses, which are a rubber or plastic tube protected from mechanical stress by a flexible brass corrugated sheath. For connection to the mixer and shower head, movable union nuts are provided at the ends of the flexible hose. A narrow nut with a ribbed surface is designed for fastening to the mixer; a nut with an elongated base is screwed onto the shower head.
There are flexible shower hoses made of plastic, reinforced with metal wire in the form of a spiral. But from personal experience operation, I can say that due to low resistance to torsion, such hoses quickly lose their cylinder shape, which is why they begin to pass water poorly. Probably, flexible plastic hoses will last a long time if you never remove the shower head from the bracket and make sure that the hose does not get twisted.
Plastic flexible shower hoses and flexible hoses with corrugated metal protective sheath are interchangeable. Therefore, if the plastic one fails, it can be replaced without any modifications by a flexible one with a metal protective shell.
Currently, leading plumbing manufacturers produce hoses with sealed bearings, which allow the flexible hose to rotate around its axis without twisting. But the price of such a shower set is far from budget.
How to fix a leak in a flexible shower hose
Like any plumbing fixture, a flexible shower hose will leak over time. Typically, leaks are observed at the junction between it and the shower head or faucet. First the water oozes and drips, and then begins to flow in a stream.
A leak in a flexible hose usually occurs at the junction with the shower head or faucet.
The cause is usually a loss of elasticity of the rubber gasket. Over time, the rubber from which the gasket is made becomes hard and cannot provide a tight fit over the entire contact surface. To begin with, you can try tightening the union nut by turning it clockwise. Sometimes it helps. If water continues to flow after this, the gasket must be replaced.
If replacing the gasket does not lead to a positive result, and water continues to leak, then there may be a crack in the union nut, or water leakage occurs at the connection point of the tube located in the metal sleeve.
The tightness of the connection is ensured by a tight fit of the water supply tube onto a plastic or brass nipple with a collar, which is inserted with tension into the hole of a larger plastic tube.
It happens that a crack forms in a flexible plastic tube at the junction with the nipple. To repair, you need to cut off the damaged part and reassemble it. If it is difficult to put a flexible plastic tube on the nipple, you can heat it up a little (you can use a hair dryer or the flame of a lighter).
It should be noted that if the water supply tube has been greatly shortened, then when the flexible hose is stretched, it may break off the nipple. In this case, you will have to replace the tube or lengthen it using an adapter.
There are other ways to attach the tube to the nipple, for example, the tube is pulled onto the nipple fitting and secured with a clamp. But the technology for eliminating leaks in a flexible hose remains the same for all designs.
Repair of Brass Corrugated Sheath Flexible Hose
Another type of failure of a flexible shower hose is when adjacent turns of the brass corrugated casing become disengaged. Such a breakdown occurs due to excessive twisting of the shell, which occurs unnoticed by humans. While taking a shower with a shower head in hand, a person transfers the shower head from one hand to the other, and thus twists the flexible hose in one direction, without even knowing it. If, when twisting, the diameter of the shell increases, then adjacent turns may disengage.
The photo shows a flexible shower hose, the brass casing of which I developed specifically to demonstrate its design. In cross-section, the brass band of the shell represents the letter S with right angles. The edges of the tape engage with each other and are securely held in this position due to the springy properties of the brass, while at the same time giving flexibility to the shell.
In order to repair a developed sheath of a flexible hose, you need to grasp it with both hands near the developed area. Next, you need to turn the upper part of the shell clockwise, while simultaneously bringing the upper turn of the tape into engagement with the lower turn. You don’t need to turn the tape too much and make sure that the diameter of the flexible hose expands only at the point where it breaks.
I have repeatedly had to repair the shell of a flexible shower hose, and after repair, with careful use, it served for a long time. The main thing here is to be careful and not to apply too much force so as not to cause residual deformation of the tape in the direction of increasing the diameter. But if such a case occurs, then you need to carefully turn the tape counterclockwise to restore its damaged geometry, and repeat the repair operation.
Sometimes it is not possible to repair a flexible hose without releasing its casing. To release it, you need to move the union nut, slide the thin-walled metal tube and unscrew the casing from the fitting.
It is common that the end of the shell is soldered with solder. Then, in order to free the end of the shell, you will have to heat the soldering area with a soldering iron.
As you can see, the shower head is simple, and repairing it, with minimal skills in working with tools, is within the power of every home craftsman.