Eyeliner for water

CompanyTD Stroyservice supplies two types of eyeliners: with a rubber core made of EPDM and a PEX core in a metal braid These products are intended for connection to pipeline systems of cold, hot water supply and heating of appliances and sanitary products Operating temperature range from +1 to 95°C operating pressure 10 ATM The cap nuts are made of Nickel-plated brass PEX has a longer service life of 10 years and is less susceptible to transportable liquids, with an EPDM limit of no more than 50% glycol solution

Flexible eyeliner is an essential element of plumbing communications It allows you to connect faucets for sinks and showers, washing machines and dishwashers, toilet tanks and other devices It is not always possible to install a rigid pipe, especially when the equipment is already installed Therefore flexible eyeliners have now almost completely replaced their rigid counterparts The quality of modern products ensures not only easy installation, but also long-term reliable service

Flexible water supply device

There are several types of eyeliners, but for water, classic rubber tubes in metal or nylon braid are most often used The plastic rubber from which the inner part is made provides high tightness and flexibility, and the reinforcing braid protects against damage and kinks Depending on the type of rubber used and the material of the braid, the quality of the eyeliners can vary widely

Use a special non-toxic rubber hose to connect kitchen sink faucets and other devices that may leak water into food Such braids are safe for health, and the water passed through them remains clean and fresh If low-quality rubber was used in the production, the water may acquire a characteristic smell (especially if it was inside the hose when the tap was closed)

The braid of rubber hoses is a tightly intertwined thin thread that provides strength and rigidity, allowing the liner to remain flexible enough The quality of the product is significantly affected by the material In the simplest case, these are steel flagella (usually galvanized, but stainless steel is also used) The average quality eyeliners have an aluminum braid, and the most reliable and durable (but also the most expensive) – nylon

The types of flexible connections

To connect plumbing devices to the water supply system, the eyeliners described above are usually used, braided with various reinforcing coatings However, other types of products made from different materials are also used They may differ in their purpose, permissible temperature and pressure, UV resistance, expected service life, and other parameters

Main types of flexible eyeliners:

• conventional (hoses);
• reinforced (braided);
• composite (for example, flexible metal-plastic tube);
• bellows

Conventional hoses are rarely used because they can not provide the necessary reliability, and sufficiently strong and reliable products are too expensive for such applications Composite eyeliners are usually made individually from a flexible metal plastic tube of the desired diameter and appropriate fittings They provide the maximum level of quality and reliability, withstand pressure of 10-20 atmospheres However, due to their lack of flexibility, it is quite difficult to connect them without partially or completely dismantling the equipment

The most popular flexible tubes made of polyurethane and other types of rubber, reinforced with a special braid For the manufacture of braids, thin flagella are used from materials such as:

• steel (galvanized or stainless steel);
• aluminum;
• nylon (it is strong and does not rot in a humid environment)

Galvanized steel braid is considered the most short-lived, because the zinc layer is erased almost immediately, and under the influence of condensate, corrosion processes begin Thin wires rot, forming holes, after which the pressure quickly destroys the rubber core Aluminum resists moisture better, so aluminum-reinforced eyeliners last up to 3 years at a constant pressure of about 5 atmospheres The greatest durability is demonstrated by nylon-braided hoses that can withstand up to 20 atmospheres, but they also cost significantly more

An excellent alternative to reinforced products can serve as a bellows liner, which is a corrugated tube made of food-grade stainless steel The transverse corrugation provides such a liner with high flexibility (however, it is not designed for permanent deformation), and the multi-layer structure guarantees durability and resistance to high pressure Household corrugated liner is designed for 25 years of service at a pressure of 10-25 atmospheres

How to choose a flexible connector

When choosing a flexible eyeliner, it is important to know the main characteristics of the system to which it will be connected Most products work without problems at a pressure of up to 5 atmospheres and a temperature of up to 85 °C It is strongly not recommended to take an eyeliner with a steel braid (it is better to choose aluminum from cheap options) If the parameters of your system are higher than the specified values, it is recommended to purchase reinforced eyeliner – nylon or bellows It is more expensive, but it will last longer and will not burst from a pressure jump

When choosing a flexible eyeliner, it should be carefully examined and felt so that there are no burrs on the surface If you choose from several options, "weigh" them in your hands Too light eyeliners immediately reject – if the manufacturer has saved on materials, the product will not last long Pay attention to the cap nuts – they must be brass or steel (sometimes they are made of aluminum, low-quality steel, or even plastic covered with some kind of metallization)

The tube must be plastic and elastic at the same time, when bending in different directions, the bending radius must be large enough, it is unacceptable that the tube " snapped" Comparing the flexibility of several eyeliners, you will definitely notice the difference between cheap products and more expensive ones

By appointment, there are three types of eyeliners:

• to connect hot water;
• to connect cold water;
• universal

A distinctive feature of high-temperature eyeliner is a red ribbon woven into the reinforcing braid A similar blue ribbon can be found on the cold water hose, and both colors are present on universal eyeliners It should be borne in mind that it is unacceptable to connect the hot water liner to the cold one, since at a low temperature the hose "dubeets" and cracks Experts often recommend choosing universal products, but it is more correct to use specialized ones Don't forget that universality always implies a compromise of characteristics

The quality of the connecting nuts is also an important parameter when purchasing Their material must be strong enough and thick enough not to crack when tightening and withstand pressure surges Pay attention to the construction of the nut itself, it should not be flimsy (some types of sufficiently high-quality nuts can collapse if they are tightened too much, simply because of an unsuccessful design)

Installation of water pipes

All modern eyeliners have an installed gasket made of rubber or silicone (before installation, make sure that it does not fall out), so you do not need to wind tow or other sealer on the fitting When tightening the nut, do not apply too much force, because you can destroy the liner or the metal-plastic pipe to which the connection is made You need to tighten the nut by hand, as far as possible, and then just half a turn to finish the key (so that the cap nut is not unscrewed over time from the vibration coming through the pipes)

It is strictly forbidden to leave the eyeliner tube in a taut state This will cause the hose to fail quickly, and may even damage the connected equipment If the length of the eyeliner is not enough, you need to buy a new one In extreme cases, you can use an additional liner with suitable connecting elements as an extension The margin in length should be at least 5-10 cm, if there is an inflection, it is better to increase the margin After installation, make sure that the hose is located freely and has a sufficiently large radius of curvature

When tightening the cap nuts, the hose must not be twisted The outer braid will look normal, but the tube inside may be crumpled, which will reduce throughput and lead to rapid failure It is also important not to damage the gasket when tightening, as this will cause a slight leak over time, which may remain unnoticed for a long time, gradually damaging the liner and connected equipment

Regardless of the reliability of the liner and confidence in the quality of installation, it is recommended to install a special "AQUASTOP" valve that provides protection against leakage If there is a characteristic pressure drop, the protective mechanism is activated and completely blocks the water (after that, you can only return it to its original position manually) These valves are reusable, provide a high level of reliability and are sold at an affordable price, so it is recommended to install them on all connections

Tips for using eyeliners

In addition to their own quality the service life of the eyeliners is also affected by their operating conditions It is necessary to regularly (at least once every couple of months) inspect the hoses and mounting elements for damage or leaks Even at the stage of purchase, keep in mind that the braid can hide minor defects for a long time, and the condition of the corrugated eyeliner is easier to control

If flexibility during operation is not so important, it is better to install a steel corrugated tube, which will be enough to give the desired shape once The safety of such a connection will increase many times, so it is recommended to use a corrugated liner for connecting toilets, stationary washing machines and dishwashers, faucets and other sanitary appliances

This connection provides maximum reliability not only due to the quality of the corrugated tube made of multi-layer stainless steel, but also due to more reliable connection fittings The ends of the tube have special sockets that are tightly fixed with cap nuts and sealed with gaskets Such fasteners are much more reliable than fittings used in conjunction with rubber hoses

Flexible PE-X eyeliner

Cross-linked polyethylene PE-X-a material that deserves the title of revolutionary It is characterized by high chemical inertia, thermal stability and durability Flexible eyeliner made of cross-linked polyethylene is quite expensive, but it provides a record service life of 50 years According to this indicator, it exceeds all analogues that allow operation for 3-15 years (up to 25 years for the highest quality products)

Cross-linked polyethylene is a relatively new material, so its service life is the most modest estimate (it is assumed that even if it is used for 100 years, its properties will not change much) The permissible pressure for PE-X-based liners is 20 atmospheres, and the water temperature is 100 °C The reliability of this eyeliner is not in doubt, it can serve as an excellent alternative to the corrugated counterpart Given the long service life and minimization of risks, the cost of more expensive material is justified