Mixer hose: practical tips for choosing

Want to know how to connect a watering hose to the mixer at the cottage or a polymer-braided hose in the city kitchen, and what are the features of the choice of components for making liner? In this article we will tell about the device of flexible hoses and about the intricacies of their choice.

At the moment, hoses for kitchen faucets on sale are presented in a wide range, so you can choose the option that is suitable for a particular type of sanitary equipment. Consider what are the products through which the pipeline is attached to the crane.

The main types of liner

Before choosing plumbing hoses for the mixer, we will decide on the main schemes for connecting the water shut-off fittings to the pipeline.

1. Hard eyeliner - characterized by the fact that rigid pipes are attached to the valves.
2. Flexible eyeliner - received the greatest distribution in the arrangement of kitchen sinks and sinks in the bathrooms. The use of a flexible connection is justified if the water supply is hidden by the washing cabinet, pedestal of the “tulip” sink, etc.

The advantages of a flexible connection include the following qualities:

• Angle hoses for mixers allow you to connect in any sometimes the most constrained and uncomfortable conditions.
• Simple instructions for the use of hoses in comparison with the installation of rigid pipes. As a result, the installation of plumbing equipment can be managed without special skills of installation work and without complicated tools.
• The ability to quickly replace their own hands in the event of a leak.
• A wide range of hoses and, as a result, the possibility of purchasing a product that corresponds to certain pressure parameters.

Now that we have decided on what types of liner are relevant today, let us tell you about how a mixer with a hose should be installed and used.

Requirements for Flexible Connectors

• Choosing elements for installation of a flexible water supply pipe, make sure that the purchased connectors correspond to the pressure parameters in the pipeline.
• It is forbidden to use flexible connectors in the kitchen and in the bathroom with a damaged braid or a poorly molded sleeve. The use of eyeliner mounted with the use of such components is likely to result in leaks or a breakthrough of the system.
• It is forbidden to install a flexible connection for the mixer in the tension or with a strong bend, as this contributes to the deformation and rapid wear of the hoses. For example, bend diameter of less than 70 mm is not allowed.

Structural features of flexible connectors

Regardless of the fact that you decided to connect the mixer with three hoses or the usual kitchen faucet, you will need a flexible eyeliner, consisting of the following structural elements:

• the basis in the form of a rubber hose;
• metal reinforcement braid;
• unions (sleeves);
• put nuts;
• sealing gaskets.

Thus, the flexible tube, for connecting the main pipeline to the crane, is a rubber hose in a wire braid.

Consider how each of the elements in the design of flexible connectors.

1. The hose can be made of technical rubber or of special rubber intended for use in the food industry. Despite the fact that the price of the second option is somewhat higher, this choice is preferable.

Important: Connecting a quality hose, you can be sure that the water will not have a characteristic rubber taste. It is not recommended to buy cheap connectors, as they are most often made of brittle and fragile rubber, which, even if properly connected, is destroyed within one year of operation.

1. Eyeliner braid is most often made of metal, less often of polymeric materials.

• The metal braid is made of stainless or galvanized steel or aluminum. The protective coating of aluminum on average serves no more than 3 years with a maximum pressure of not more than 5 Bar. However, there are less reliable options for reinforcement - it is a braid made of ordinary steel with a zinc coating. Such products are produced by lesser-known artisanal manufacturers. And, despite the fact that the price of such a liner will be more than attractive, these hoses are used exclusively as a temporary solution. The most durable and durable modifications are products with stainless steel braid. On average, the resource of such products is at least 7-8 years. A stainless steel braided liner can withstand the temperature of the transported medium up to 95 ° C at an operating pressure of up to 10 Bar.
• Nylon fiber can be used as polymeric materials. The advantages of the nylon coating are obvious, since the polymer fibers are not prone to corrosion, and therefore do not collapse or thin. Moreover, a high-quality nylon braid is not inferior in its protective and strength properties to metal counterparts.

1. The union nut is a metal sleeve that is pressed into the end of the hose. The quality of the press depends on how durable and reliable will be the purchased connector.

Important: Keep in mind that cheap connectors are very rarely of high quality. Therefore, buying something inexpensive, after a while you are most likely to attend to the question of how to change the hose on the mixer.

The union with a nut can be made of aluminum, brass or stainless steel.

It is preferable to purchase products made of brass or steel, since these products are designed for high pressure and practically do not oxidize. It is dangerous to buy products from aluminum, especially from lesser-known brands, since such tips after a short operation will crumble and will most likely cause a leak.

What to look for when buying

In order not to wonder how to unscrew the hose from the mixer for unplanned repair, when choosing components of a flexible connection, we do the following:

• We take into account the composition and characteristics of the product indicated on the label.
• We avoid buying suspiciously light components, since they are most likely made of light alloys such as silumin, which will crack.
• Components of the liner should not be "oak". Inelastic most often are poor-quality hoses prone to cracking.
• We use well-pressed fittings made of stainless steel or brass.
• Choose products with heavy cap nuts. Lightweight nuts are made of silumin, which cracks.
• The liner components should not stink rubber. If the smell is strong, the product is of poor quality and potentially dangerous, as technical rubber is unsuitable for use with household mixers.
• Pay attention to the appointment of liner. Today you can purchase modifications for hot and cold water. If you doubt the choice, you can purchase universal modifications.

Conclusion

Now that we have considered the features of the choice of components for flexible liner, you can purchase suitable hoses for arranging the mixer at home. There are questions that need clarification? More information can be found by watching the video in this article.