According to IAG, Australia’s largest general insurer, flexible hoses accounted for 22% of water damage claims in Australian households, with the average claim costing over $27,500.
The good news? A burst flexi hose is completely preventable if you know what to look for and when to replace them.
What Are Flexible Water Hoses and Why Do They Fail?
Flexible water hoses, also known as flexi hoses or braided inlet hoses, are widely used in modern Australian homes. They’re made from rubber or synthetic tubing with a stainless steel braided outer layer and metal fittings on each end. Popular with plumbers for the past 25 years, they’re flexible, affordable and easy to install, and are commonly found under sinks, behind toilets, and connecting appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and fridges to the water supply.
Despite their convenience and widespread use, flexi hoses have a dark side that many homeowners don’t realise until it’s too late. Unlike traditional copper pipes that can last decades, flexible hoses have a finite lifespan. Australian plumbing standards, specifically AS/NZS 3499, set requirements for these hoses, and manufacturers typically recommend replacement every 5 to 10 years.
The Warning Signs
Flexible water hoses are easy to inspect because they’re usually visible and accessible, unlike pipes hidden inside walls. That makes it much easier to spot early warning signs before a major failure causes serious water damage. Adding a quick check to your home maintenance routine every six months can save you from costly repairs, insurance claims and a lot of stress.
Key warning signs include rust or brown spots on the stainless steel braid, which indicate corrosion and mean the hose should be replaced straight away. Fraying or unravelled braiding, bulging or swelling along the hose, sharp kinks, or any dents, cuts or damage are all signs the hose may be close to failing. Also check the fittings for leaks, moisture or white mineral build-up, and make sure connections are firm. If anything looks off, it’s best to have a licensed plumber take a look before a small issue turns into a big one.
Concerned about the condition of your flexi hoses? Don’t wait for disaster to strike. Contact Ezy-Plumb today for a comprehensive plumbing inspection.
The 10-Year Replacement Rule and Australian Regulations
Even if your flexi hoses look perfectly fine, they should still be replaced every 10 years. While some hoses can last longer under ideal conditions, factors like high water pressure, hard water, heat, humidity and cleaning chemicals can shorten their lifespan. Hot water hoses in particular tend to wear out faster than cold water ones.
Insurance companies are well aware of the risks flexi hoses pose and may question their age and condition if you ever make a claim. Replacing hoses every 10 years, or even sooner for extra peace of mind, shows good home maintenance and helps reduce the risk of water damage. It also puts you in a much stronger position with your insurer if something does go wrong.
How to Inspect Your Flexi Hoses Properly
Checking your flexi hoses is simpler than it sounds and doesn’t require any special skills. Set aside about 20 minutes twice a year, grab a torch, and inspect the hoses under your kitchen sink, bathroom vanities, toilet cisterns, laundry taps and appliances like washing machines and dishwashers. Look and feel for any moisture, rough patches, rust spots, fraying or corrosion on the stainless steel braid, and check the connections for leaks or mineral build-up. Using a small mirror or taking photos can help you spot changes over time, especially in tight or hidden areas.
It’s also worth paying attention to your water pressure while you’re checking. Excessively high pressure puts extra strain on flexi hoses and can shorten their lifespan. In Australia, recommended operating pressure is no more than 500 kPa, and while many newer homes have pressure-limiting valves fitted, older homes may not. If your taps feel hard to control or splash excessively, it’s a good idea to have a licensed plumber assess your pressure and install a valve if needed.
Found warning signs during your inspection or can’t remember when your flexi hoses were last replaced?
Book a service call with Ezy-Plumb and let our qualified plumbers handle the replacement.
Taking Action: Replacement and Prevention
Once you’ve identified a flexi hose that needs replacing, whether due to damage, age or uncertainty about when it was last changed, it’s important to act promptly. While replacing a hose might look like a simple DIY job, having it done by a licensed plumber is strongly recommended to avoid leaks, future failures and potential water damage.
Correct installation is about more than just connecting the hose. The hose must be the right length so it’s not stretched or kinked, and fittings need to be tightened to the correct level. Too loose can lead to leaks, while overtightening can damage fittings or washers. A licensed plumber understands these details and has the right tools and experience to ensure the hose is installed safely and will perform reliably over time.
Secondly, quality matters enormously when it comes to flexi hoses. The Australian market is flooded with cheap imported hoses that may not meet Australian Standards or carry proper WaterMark certification. WaterMark is Australia’s certification scheme administered by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), ensuring products comply with the Plumbing Code of Australia. A licensed plumber will supply quality hoses that meet these standards, often with extended warranties that cheap hoses simply can’t offer.
When replacing flexi hoses, it’s a good opportunity to think about extra preventative measures. Installing individual isolation valves makes future maintenance far easier and can significantly reduce damage if a hose fails. Some homes may also benefit from flood stop valves or leak detection devices, which automatically shut off the water if a hose bursts and can limit water loss to a very small amount, potentially saving thousands in repair costs.
One of the smartest preventative measures you can add when replacing flexi hoses is individual isolation valves at each fixture. These small stop valves install on the water supply line to every tap, toilet, and appliance, giving you the ability to shut off water to just that one fixture without turning off water to your entire home.
If a flexi hose does fail, an isolation valve means you can immediately stop the water flow to that specific fixture, potentially limiting damage to just a few litres instead of the thousands that would pour out whilst you scramble to find and turn off your mains. They’re also incredibly handy for routine maintenance, changing a tap washer or servicing a toilet becomes a simple job when you can isolate that fixture in seconds.
Australian plumbing regulations increasingly require isolation valves at new installations, and retrofitting them to existing fixtures during flexi hose replacement is a wise investment that pays dividends in both convenience and protection against water damage.
The Real Cost of Neglecting Your Flexi Hoses
The statistics around flexi hose failures paint a sobering picture. Beyond the 22% of water damage claims attributed to these hoses, research from major insurers reveals that burst flexi hoses can release the equivalent of a suburban swimming pool, around 60,000 litres through your home in just 24 hours if left undiscovered. Even if discovered and shut off within an hour, you’re still looking at potential damage from hundreds or thousands of litres of water spreading through your home.
Then there’s the non-financial cost, which can be equally devastating. Families may need to move out of their homes for weeks or even months while extensive drying and repairs are completed. Sentimental items like photos, heirlooms, and children’s artworks can be destroyed beyond recovery. The stress of coordinating repairs, dealing with insurance assessors, and living in temporary accommodation takes a real toll on family life and wellbeing.
The frustrating part is that most of these problems are completely preventable. Flexi hose checks and replacements are simple and relatively low cost compared to the damage a failure can cause. Spending a small amount on timely replacement can help avoid massive insurance claims, excess payments, higher premiums and a lot of stress. When you weigh the modest cost of maintenance against the financial and emotional impact of water damage, regular flexi hose upkeep just makes sense.
Call Ezy-Plumb now to schedule regular plumbing inspections that include comprehensive flexi hose checks.
Your Action Plan for Safer Plumbing
With this knowledge, you can take simple, practical steps to stay on top of flexi hose maintenance. Start by inspecting all accessible hoses in your home this week and look for warning signs like rust spots, fraying, bulging, kinks or visible damage. If you can’t confirm when a hose was last replaced, it’s safest to assume it’s due, especially in homes over 10 years old. If anything looks questionable, book a licensed plumber sooner rather than later. The cost of proactive replacement is minor compared to the damage a burst hose can cause.
Going forward, make flexi hose checks part of your regular home maintenance routine. A quick inspection every six months, keeping basic records of replacements, and ensuring rental or strata properties follow the same approach can prevent serious problems. Flexi hoses aren’t permanent fixtures, they’re consumable items with a limited lifespan, and treating them that way is key. Investing a little time and money in quality hoses, professional installation and routine checks helps protect not just your property’s value, but your peace of mind at home.
Ready to take action on your flexi hoses? Schedule your flexi hose inspection and replacement with Ezy-Plumb today.
