Maintenance Alert

bobbob

My bride alerted me a couple days ago that there was a slight little leak at the water line that fills our toilet tank. I checked and didn't see any moisture, BUT I did find that the flexible braided line was stiff as a brick. I am at the age that when I think something is 3 or 4 years old it is more likely to be 15 or 16. I didn't take any chances (I will explain why shortly) and ran out and got a new one and installed it immediately.
Several years ago (maybe 15 or 16) We had friends who had a plastic line to their upstairs toilet break while they were both at work. It was one of those small diameter gray plastic lines. Anyhow, they called to hire me to fix the mess. The drywall ceilings were all down and the carpet was soaked on all 3 floors. He had built the house himself. It was a sickening sight! I don't know if you can still buy that type of line anymore, but I decided right then and there to replace my line, since I had used the same gray line. I now realize that it might be a good idea to replace them perhaps every 5 years if they need it or not.
My homeowner insurance company once sent me an article which told how many homes get flooded every year because the washing machine hose burst. It was an incredible number. Just a reminder to all of you in case your water lines and hoses might also be older than you think!

rick in Alaska

Sound like you had the gray PB tubing. Personally I only use Fluidmaster metal braided lines and have not had any problems with them. Chrome plated tube is better overall, but is hard to get and a little tougher to install.
One thing I will say is to never use the plastic tubing for ice maker lines as they have a tendency to get brittle over time, and can physically break in half when that ice maker solenoid closes.
Rick

EBEBRATT-Ed

And keep the washing machine valves shut when your not using the machine. you would be surprised how many people leave them on 24/7

SuperTech

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

And keep the washing machine valves shut when your not using the machine. you would be surprised how many people leave them on 24/7

Ed is this still a concern if the braided hoses are installed? 

kcopp

SuperTech said:

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

And keep the washing machine valves shut when your not using the machine. you would be surprised how many people leave them on 24/7

Ed is this still a concern if the braided hoses are installed? 

I would say it is.
I still have seen braided lines burst. The inside is still rubber.

Derheatmeister

Two words: Moen Flo

EBEBRATT-Ed

@SuperTech maybe, maybe not. I just think it's good practice, avoids a problem

KC_Jones

How often do these burst? Serious question.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/3-8-in-O-D-x-20-in-Copper-Toilet-Riser-1-20DL-CF/100202750

I just put a new one of these in when I installed our new toilet. Old one had the same (put in my me 18 years ago), it just wasn't long enough for the new toilet.

JDHW

Interesting comments regarding flexible hoses. I have a Bosch dishwasher that has an unusual arrangement. The fitting that connects to the house plumbing is an electrically operated valve so that the hose is only pressurised when operating. The transparent hose has the wires inside it ! :-(

John

heathead

Please tell me more about the Bosch Dishwasher Hose. I spent for ever installing mine with copper loop behind dishwasher. I almost broke down and just used a stainless flex line. They make a great dishwasher, if it leaks everything is contained in the pan of the dishwasher. That pan makes it hard to keep things tidy when inserting back into the cabinets. But if no leaks are the game that is the dishwasher to use.

Sal Santamaura

bobbob said:

...Several years ago (maybe 15 or 16) We had friends who had a plastic line to their upstairs toilet break while they were both at work. It was one of those small diameter gray plastic lines...I don't know if you can still buy that type of line anymore, but I decided right then and there to replace my line, since I had used the same gray line. I now realize that it might be a good idea to replace them perhaps every 5 years if they need it or not...

rick in Alaska said:

Sound like you had the gray PB tubing...

I wonder how resistant to breaks the more modern gray plastic (PEX) risers are:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/3-8-in-O-D-x-20-in-PEX-Toilet-Riser-with-Plastic-Compression-Sleeve-P1-20DL-F/100552807
Might be the last toilet riser ever needed if experience with other PEX pipes is indicative. Anyone used them?

ChrisJ

Sal Santamaura said:

...Several years ago (maybe 15 or 16) We had friends who had a plastic line to their upstairs toilet break while they were both at work. It was one of those small diameter gray plastic lines...I don't know if you can still buy that type of line anymore, but I decided right then and there to replace my line, since I had used the same gray line. I now realize that it might be a good idea to replace them perhaps every 5 years if they need it or not...

Sound like you had the gray PB tubing...

I wonder how resistant to breaks the more modern gray plastic (PEX) risers are: https://www.homedepot.com/p/3-8-in-O-D-x-20-in-PEX-Toilet-Riser-with-Plastic-Compression-Sleeve-P1-20DL-F/100552807 Might be the last toilet riser ever needed if experience with other PEX pipes is indicative. Anyone used them?

Depends

PEX will not tolerate direct sunlight for long.

The manufacturers of PEX even warn about indirect sunlight and UV from indoor lights.

So to me, selling something that's PEX to be installed out in the open is interesting.

JDHW

heathead@

The model is a Series 6 dishwasher (UK) bought about 5 years ago. Couple of pictures, first is the valve connecting to the house plumbing. The valve is quite tall - picture is end on,

second is the detailed model details

JDHW

heathead@
The hose is not a separate item - it is hard connected into the dishwasher. You can get electric valves for controlling cold water supply so I guess you could install a valve and a timer. Press a button that opens the valve and provides supply to the dishwasher for say 2 hours and then cuts off. That's a lot better than having a flexible hose pressurised all the time.

John

bobbob

Then I wonder about valves failing and causing worse problems and expensive replacement...

rick in Alaska

I did put in in of those Bosch dishwashers with the inline valve. The problem I had was since every dishwasher sold around here is plumbed in under the kitchen sink, I had to cut a very large hole to get that valve through. But it is a cool idea.
Biggest pet peeve I have with the new dishwashers is they now have a female garden hose connection you have to hook up to, which means if you are not paying attention, you now have to drive all the way back to town to get the adapter. I want to know what kind of fool engineer ( I wanted to use more colorful language, but restrained myself) came up with that incredibly horrible idea. Really, a garden hose adapter!
Rick

ethicalpaul

If I were to turn off my washer hoses after using it, all my toilets and dishwasher would get jealous. Oh and every sink too.

ChrisJ

bobbob said:

Then I wonder about valves failing and causing worse problems and expensive replacement...

Valves need to be exercised several times a year.  This includes the main shutoff to a house of applicable and all stops under sinks, toilets etc.