Stainless Flex tube burst

Bryan_5

I got a call from one of my clients today. I am an insurance man. He got a nice wakeup call this morning. About 1AM The Stainless Flex tube for his bathroom sink burst. He said he had not done anything to his plumbing at all. His house is only 7 years old. The tube burst in the middle not near any fittings. He had about an inch of water on his Bath,and kitchen floors. Soaked through to the basement as well furnace was sitting in water. Not a fun situation. I was curious if any of you have seen a similiar situation. What may cause that tube to burst? Just curious. Thanks for your input
Bryan

Mark Hunt

hmmmmmm



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hot_rod

The weakest link

Wasn't that a TV show recently??

Sometimes the water suppliers add backflow devices at the meter. When this happens the water heater can cause excessive pressure in the entire plumbing system within you home, both hot and cold side! The weakest point will be the spot the excessive pressure finds. If this is the case I would check, actually I'd suggest replacing the water heater T&P and add a properly sized DHW thermal expansion protection at the water heater.

Or it could have been a weak flex connector

The best check would be to add a lazy hand gauge. You can buy them at plumbing supply houses, they record the highest pressure in the system with a second hand. Most will screw right on a hose bib or water heater drain cock.

hot rod

Bryan_5

Thanks Hot Rod,
I will let him know. Thanks for the feedback. Its a real mess I dont even want to see that bill.

Earthfire

Flexconnectors

Back in late '87 to early '88 when I was maintinence super for a apartment complex in North Salt Lake City we had a bunch of stainless flex connectors fail. They always burst at night on the hot water line. We had 5 buildings with 30 units per building, so I got a lot of lost sleep for about a month & a half till the owners authorized a complete replacement of the supply connectors. The connectors that failed had plastic inserts and sealing components.We replaced them with stainless flex connectors with brass guts and stopped having problems. Since then I only used connectors with metal connections.

Mark Hunt

nm



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Joe_13

you sure its s.s.?

Some f those flex lines you get at HD look like braded SS but they're still PEX. What do you want for $1.98?

bill clinton_3

burst flex

Those connectors may be stainless steel on the outside, but what it's braided around is likely epdm rubber. Hot water + chlorine + rubber + time = whatcha got.

BILL

Rich_2

supply lines

As a plumber I don't like those things , code (around here)is hard supply lines but I have been using pex supply lines I like them , the jury is still out on failure but I find the construction of them is better

Cosmo

braided lines

I only use these when I have to have some flexibility, say on a piece of junk toilet tank that wobbles, etc. Otherwise I stay away from them, I still belive the old fashioned way of using copper tube is best for a long lasting professional job. Of course pex is fine also. I recieved some info once from a company called Falcon Stainless Steel Tubing Co. They make a corrugated stainless steel supply tube that has no plastic or rubber at all. That looks like the ticket... Now if I can find that brochure.........

Bryan_5

Thanks for all of your respones on this. The mess has been prety much cleaned up now comes the fun part in having the rest of the stuff replaced. Thanks again
Bryan

[Deleted User]

as with anything

i have found that if i use stainless steel fluidmaster connectors, made in the good old usa, that i dont have problems..but i have had the problem with imported s/s connectors...

Bryan_5

Thanks again for your responses. Did check with the homeowner and he said the line that burst was the cold. The line has been replaced with a hard line now so shouldnt be any more problems.
Bryan

Mad Dog

Bottom Line, Bryan....Flex supplies stink

Seen plenty of those "no-burst" flex hoses burst and flood out houses. Although our new plumbing code allows them, as a rule, we will not put them in. Why guys can't use a nice bender and use real copper Speedy tubing is beyond me - These things are killing the Craftsmanship in our trade. Mad Dog

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Bryan_5

MadDog I no doubt see that. I dont have it in my house and wouldnt put it in. I agree with you on the craftsmanship. Why put it in if it wont last 50 years IMHO. When I look at the craftsmanship in my house I am blown away. House is about 90 years old and still going strong. Do you think the new spec homes will still be standing in 90 years? I doubt it. Thanks for your reply
Bryan

Mad Dog

i agree Bryan, that's why, as I renovate my 110 year old

Victorian, I am using proven "old school" technology like copper and cast iron for dwv, steam/vapor system.....I'm from the old school, but I'm no in the dark ages...radiant heat in basenment floor and under bathroom floors central air. Mad dog

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Bryan_5

Mad Dog,
I have been following your posts on your house I think its great and it looks like you have a sweet setup on that boiler and piping. How much work do you have left on the house? I guess thats a dumb question because we never finish our houses.
I luv the cast iron and copper. I dont think you can beat it.
Bryan