A leaking flexible water hose is a pretty common issue in households. These hoses are used to connect toilets, water heaters, faucets, and household appliances like washing machines. They’re typically made of a rubber tube encased in a metal braid, with metal fittings crimped on each end and rubber washers inside the nuts for sealing.
But why do these hoses start to leak?
Here are the most common reasons:
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The rubber hose itself might be cracked or damaged.
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Water could be seeping out from the crimped metal sleeve (called a ferrule).
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The washer under the nut may have worn out or isn’t sealing properly.
Let’s take a closer look at what can cause these problems:
1. Factory Defects
Unfortunately, low-quality hoses—especially cheap imports—often have manufacturing flaws. If the hose leaks right from the start, there’s probably nothing you can do except replace it. That’s why it’s best to buy hoses from trusted brands and avoid unbranded products.
2. Using the Wrong Hose
Flexible hoses are made for cold water, hot water, or both. They’re usually color-coded:
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Blue stripe for cold water
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Red stripe for hot water
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Both stripes means it’s universal
They’re also rated for different water pressures. If your home doesn’t have a pressure reducer (a pressure regulator), it’s smart to get hoses that can handle higher pressure—around 8 bars (or 115 psi) is a safe bet.
3. Poor Installation
One of the most common mistakes is overtightening. When you twist the nut too hard, the crimped sleeve can start spinning with it, which causes the hose to twist. This can damage the inner rubber tube and even the metal braid.
Tip: Tighten the nut by hand, then give it a gentle extra half-turn with a wrench. Don’t worry—rubber washers are designed to prevent leaks even without extreme force.
4. Water Hammer
Sudden pressure surges (known as water hammer) usually hit the flexible hoses first. These hoses do absorb some of the shock, but repeated pressure spikes will wear them out over time. Installing a water hammer arrestor or pressure compensator in your plumbing system can significantly extend hose life.
How to Seal Threaded Joints Properly
When connecting any threaded plumbing fittings, it’s essential to seal the threads correctly to prevent leaks.
Sealing with Plumber’s Hemp (Oakum)
If the fitting’s thread is slightly larger than the pipe, you can make shallow grooves on the thread before wrapping. This helps hold the hemp in place and prevents it from slipping.
Using PTFE Tape
Standard plumber’s PTFE (Teflon) tape – 0.1 mm thick and 10–12 mm wide – works well for sealing connections to flexible hoses or washing machine valves.
To avoid leaking flexible water hose – always buy hoses and connectors from reputable suppliers. A small investment in quality now can save you a lot of water damage – and stress – later!