5 Warning Signs Your Flexi Hose Needs Replacing

Flexible braided hoses — commonly known as flexi hoses — are found under almost every sink, toilet, and basin in Australian homes. They connect your taps and cisterns to your water supply and are under constant mains water pressure, 24 hours a day.

When a flexi hose fails, it fails catastrophically. A burst flexi hose can release hundreds of litres of water per hour directly into your home, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage in just a few hours. In fact, flexi hose failures are one of the most common causes of home insurance claims in Australia.

The good news: with a regular visual inspection, the warning signs are easy to spot. Here is what to look for.

1. Visible Corrosion or Rust on the Fittings

The brass end fittings on a flexi hose are designed to seal tightly against your water supply. If you notice any green, brown or orange discolouration on the fittings, this is a sign of corrosion that is compromising the seal. Even minor corrosion can accelerate quickly and lead to a sudden failure. If you see rust or green oxidation — replace the hose immediately.

2. Swelling, Bubbling or Bulging of the Outer Braid

The outer stainless steel braid of a flexi hose is designed to contain the inner rubber hose under pressure. If the inner rubber hose begins to deteriorate, it can push against or through the outer braid, causing visible swelling or bulging. This is a critical warning sign — a bulging flexi hose is under enormous stress and can burst at any moment. Do not use the tap or appliance connected to a bulging flexi hose and call a plumber urgently.

3. Discolouration or Staining of the Braid

A healthy stainless steel braid should look silver and uniform. Any discolouration — yellowing, browning, or dark staining — suggests the braid has been in contact with moisture, chemicals, or has simply aged to the point of deterioration. While the hose may not be about to burst immediately, discolouration is a strong indicator that it is well past its service life.

4. The Hose Is More Than 10 Years Old

Most flexi hose manufacturers recommend replacement every 5–10 years, regardless of appearance. The inner rubber tube degrades over time due to exposure to chlorinated water and constant pressure, even if the outside looks fine. If you do not know the age of your flexi hoses, or if they have been in place for a decade or more, proactive replacement is the safest and most cost-effective option.

A licensed plumber can replace all of the flexi hoses in a typical home in under an hour. The cost is minimal compared to the potential damage of a failure.

5. Visible Cracks, Kinks or Wear on the Body

Inspect the full length of the hose for any cracking of the outer braid, tight kinks, or areas where the hose has been bent at a sharp angle. Kinking causes stress fractures in the inner rubber tube that are not always visible from the outside but significantly weaken the hose. Any physical damage to the body of the hose is grounds for immediate replacement.

How to Check Your Flexi Hoses

You can check your own flexi hoses with a simple visual inspection — no tools required:

1. Open the cabinet under your kitchen sink and both bathroom sinks.
2. Check behind your toilet cistern.
3. Look at the connections to your washing machine and dishwasher.
4. Check the connections to your hot water system.

Look for any of the five signs listed above. If everything looks clean, silver, and undamaged — great. Make a note to check again in 12 months, or book a professional plumbing inspection to have a licensed plumber check all hoses and connections throughout the home.

What to Do If You Find a Problem

If you spot any of the warning signs above, turn off the water supply to that fitting (the small valve on the wall or floor behind the tap) and call a plumber. Do not leave a damaged flexi hose under pressure. If a hose has already burst, locate your main water shut-off valve — usually near the water meter at the front of the property — and turn off the mains water supply immediately, then call us.