Flexible connection for the mixer: advantages and disadvantages, types, installation

Today, most people choose the flexible version of the connection for the mixer. In our material, we will try to study in detail this element of sanitary ware, as well as understand the reasons for popularity.

The positive aspects of flexible piping include:

• Safety in use;
• Reliable service of the product with its high quality;
• Flexible system is convenient to use, it is much more practical than a hard analog;
• Serves long enough;
• Easily mounted and dismantled from the mixer. In fact, this requires only a couple of tools;
• Actually, the product is flexible, and therefore allows you to carry out various manipulations with it - move on different sides of the mixer, without fear of damage;
• Flexible hoses can be easily hidden when installing in-line mixers. Arranging them in a special box inside the wall. This allows the interior to be more organic, to hide unnecessary elements.

Still, it's impossible to call flexible liner as an ideal solution because it has certain drawbacks.

• Bends, tensions and twists that lead to product failure, possible leaks and flooding are not allowed;
• It is not possible to use them if there is an open flame source nearby;
• Flexible hose is not suitable for the operation of very hot water;
• Metal braid is oxidized with time, corrosion can start;
• If this is a bellows connection, the water will buzz in it while using water in different rooms.

Now there are two types of flexible liner, which is used when connecting to mixers:

• Flexible rubber hoses encased in steel braid;
• Bellows connections with better connections.

Rubber versions are produced quite easily, which positively affects the final cost of the products. Because they are widely distributed among our consumers. It is also worth noting that some manufacturers produce anti-vibration podvodki. Their feature is the larger diameter of the hose. Thus, it is possible to avoid excessive noise and vibrations, which appear as a result of the operation of pumping systems inside household appliances or water pipelines. Bellows connections with better connections.

Bellows connections are made in the format of a corrugated hose made of high-quality metal. The sleeves are rolled and welded to the sleeves. Each element providing contact with water, is made of stainless steel. Alas, we have only imported options available, because their cost is much higher. Read more about them in the article about bellows-type liners.

We introduce you to several useful recommendations that will allow you to correctly determine the choice of flexible connections for your mixer.

• Study the label carefully, check the device specifications, check with the manufacturer. All of them must meet your requirements and used plumbing.
• Check to see if the line of the seems to be very light. If so, then most likely the material for braiding was aluminum, and the fittings were made of low-grade metal. In time, such elements will simply collapse.
• Do not buy the product if it is made of plastic .This is the worst option that can only exist on the market.
• Check the piping for the "oak" .For that, it is flexible to be elastic. The lack of elasticity indicates a poor quality of the hose. Over time, cracks will appear inside it, or it will burst at all.
• Make sure that the connections are qualitatively pressed by , the tubes are inserted fully, and the compression sleeves are made of stainless steel.
• Take a closer look at the union nuts .Sometimes they are very light or too thin. The lightness indicates that the fitting may be plastic, or the nut is simply made of low-grade metal. This leads to leaks. The best option is nickel plated brass. Check whether it is used, or fake, you can by a simple scratch.
• Smell the .With all the comic advice, he will give a lot of information about the product. The presence of a sharp odor indicates the use of technical rubber, dangerous to your health. As a rule, similar phenomena are typical for cheap feeders and mixers.
• Intended use. Each podvodka has its own specialty, so to speak. There are products for hot water, cold, as well as universal models. It is denoted by a red or blue braid respectively. As for the universal options, both colors must be present.

Over time, eyeliner can give slack, provoke the appearance of certain problems. There are popular reasons why the device fails:

• Weak or poor-quality crimped braid;
• Low quality of connecting elements and components, such as nuts, bushings, fittings;
• Application of rubber and braiding materials for a low-grade hose.

Similar problems, as practice shows, arise when purchasing products from dubious vendors and from unproven manufacturers. But in recent years, such situations are becoming less.

It's quite easy to explain. Producers, striving to win the trust and the location of customers, improve the quality of products, use the best raw materials. As a result, now most of the slags are made of specially processed rubber, nuts and bush - made of brass, and braids of steel, which is not corroded and is not afraid of water.

Modern fittings have eliminated the flexible type of connection from its weak place - seals. Now a number of products do not include seals, since the union fully replaces them.

Having figured out the varieties of flexible liner, determining its strengths and weaknesses, you can proceed with the installation.

To do this, follow the step by step instructions. It is not necessary to attract specialists at all. The work is simple and is done in a matter of minutes.

• Shut off the water supply system. And make sure that you have turned off both hot and cold water.
• Remove the flexible connection that was used before. It is enough simply to dismantle the union nut or fitting, depending on the mixer model.
• Acquired flexible connectors are checked for quality, mounted instead of removed. Seal for the nut on the piping is not required, because there is a special rubber gasket.
• Do not overtighten the liner, make sure that the length is sufficient to ensure that there is no tension in use.
• Fit the nut, tighten, but do not overdo it. Excessive load can lead to breakage.
• Turn on the water and check the new mixer element in operation.

It is necessary to take into account the fact that the line is under constant load. They occupy the working area of ​​the pipeline.

This entails a potential danger. If you do not stay at home for a long time, the water pressure may rise, the product will not stand the stress, it will burst. As a result, you will flood yourself and your neighbors. The consequences are hard, long and costly to eliminate.

As you can see, flexible liner has its undeniable advantages, but it is also characterized by shortcomings. In fact, the main reason, because of which there is no full trust in flexible systems, is the use of many low-quality products.

Attempts to save on water supply systems often entail far more serious financial losses. Blaming the manufacturers of cheap submarines does not make any sense, because only you are responsible for repairing your house. Do not regret money, buy a quality product immediately. Padding, in turn, will answer you with a long and reliable service.