Check every flexi hose in your home every six months, and replace any that are bulging, frayed, kinked, or rusted. Even if they look fine, plan to replace them at around 10 years. A flexi hose is a cheap part, but when one bursts it can flood a home in hours.
Replacing worn hoses is part of our plumbing maintenance work across the Inner West. Here’s how to check yours, when to change them, and what to do if you live in a strata building.
What is a flexi hose?
A flexi hose is a rubber hose wrapped in braided stainless steel, with a metal fitting on each end. It connects the water supply in your wall to a tap or appliance. Plumbers use them because they’re flexible, inexpensive, and quick to fit.
Most Sydney homes have several. You’ll usually find them connected to:
- dishwashers
- fridges with water dispensers
- kitchen sinks
- laundry tubs
- toilets
- vanity basins
According to Suncorp, if you’ve had any plumbing work done in the past 20 years, it’s highly likely you have a flexi hose under your sink.
Why do flexi hoses fail?
Suncorp found that most bursts start when the steel braiding breaks down through corrosion and rust, or when the hose is kinked, stretched, or twisted. Once the braid weakens, the rubber inside can’t hold mains pressure for long.
Common causes include:
- age
- chemical cleaners stored in the same cupboard
- damp cupboards that never fully dry out
- kinks or tight bends from poor installation
- low-quality hoses
Quality matters. Suncorp notes some flexi hoses work for 20 years, while others corrode and fail much sooner.
How much damage can a burst flexi hose cause?
More than most people expect. In Suncorp’s analysis of over 22,000 home water damage claims from 2024, 1 in 10 was caused by a burst flexi hose, and the average claim was more than $27,500. By 2026, the average had risen to about $30,000, with 6% of claims topping $100,000.
The reason is volume. Youi says a burst flexi hose can release more than 20 litres a minute, which is over 1,200 litres an hour. Suncorp says a burst left undiscovered for 24 hours can release enough water to fill a backyard pool.
Timing makes it worse. Claim costs climb over holiday periods, when homes sit empty and nobody is there to turn the water off.
How to check your flexi hoses in 10 minutes
Suncorp recommends a quick check every six months. Here’s how:
- Grab a torch and clear out the cupboards under each sink and vanity.
- Find every flexi hose, including those behind the toilet and the dishwasher.
- Look along the full length of each hose. Use your phone camera for spots you can’t see.
- Run your fingers gently along the hose. It should feel smooth and even, with no rough patches.
- Check the fittings at both ends for damp, drips, or staining.
- Look for a date tag on the hose, and write down anything you find.
- Set a phone reminder to check again in six months.
Warning signs to look for
Call a licensed plumber if you see any of these:
- broken or frayed wire strands
- bulging or ballooning in the hose
- corrosion or rust on the braid
- damp, mould, or a musty smell in the cupboard
- green or white staining on the fittings
- kinks, tight bends, or twists
If a hose is leaking, turn off the small isolating tap it connects to, or turn off your water main. Then call us on 1300 300 941 during business hours, or see our emergency plumbing page.
When should you replace flexi hoses?
Replace a flexi hose straight away if it shows any warning sign. Otherwise, plan to replace it at around 10 years.
IAG’s claims research found flexible hoses only last around 10 years and typically carry a 10-year warranty. QBE says they’re designed to last five to 10 years. If you don’t know how old your hoses are, and your kitchen or bathroom is more than 10 years old, assume they’re due.
You’re unlikely to have just one problem hose. When Suncorp inspected customers’ flexi hoses, about 30% needed replacing, which works out to around two in every home.
When you replace them, ask for WaterMark certified hoses. WaterMark is the Australian certification scheme for plumbing products, so certified hoses have been tested to the relevant standard. A plumber will also choose the right length and route each hose so it isn’t kinked, rubbing on a sharp edge, or stretched.
What happens during a flexi hose replacement
A replacement is usually a quick job. We turn off the water, remove the old hose, and fit a new WaterMark certified hose of the right length. We also check the isolating tap it connects to, since an old tap that won’t turn off fully is a problem in an emergency. Finally, we turn the water back on, test every connection for leaks, and note the install date so you know when the next one is due.
Dishwashers and washing machines have their own inlet hoses, which wear out too. We check these when we handle appliance installation, and it’s worth asking about them during any hose replacement.
Flexi hoses in strata apartments
If you own an apartment, the flexi hoses under your sink and vanity are almost certainly your responsibility. In NSW strata schemes, lot owners are generally responsible for the fixtures inside their own lot, while the owners corporation looks after common property.
A burst hose rarely stays inside one unit. Water travels through floors and walls into the apartments below and into common areas. Strata buildings with repeated flexi hose claims can face higher premiums and excesses, which every owner ends up paying.
If you live in an apartment block in Balmain, Marrickville, or Newtown, a simple building-wide check before the summer holidays is good value. Strata managers can book us to inspect several units in one visit.
Going away? Turn the water off
Insurers see claim costs rise over holiday periods because a slow leak becomes a flood when nobody’s home. Before you go away for more than a night or two, turn off your water at the main. It takes seconds and removes most of the risk.
If you don’t know where your water main is, find it now, before you need it in a hurry.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I check my flexi hoses?
Every six months. It takes about 10 minutes with a torch. Pick two easy dates to remember, such as the start of daylight saving and the end of it.
How long do flexi hoses last?
Around 10 years for a good-quality hose that’s correctly installed. Damp cupboards, harsh cleaners, and kinks can shorten that a lot, which is why regular checks matter.
Can I replace a flexi hose myself?
We recommend using a licensed plumber. Poor installation is one of the main causes of early failure, and a hose that’s slightly kinked or over-tightened can look fine for months before it bursts. A plumber will also fit WaterMark certified hoses and test every connection before leaving.
Does home insurance cover a burst flexi hose?
Many home and contents policies cover sudden escape of water, but cover differs between insurers. QBE advises checking your Product Disclosure Statement for excess, exclusions, and limits. Some policies treat damage from worn or poorly maintained parts differently, so regular checks protect your claim as well as your home.
Book a flexi hose check
Richard Knight Plumbing has been fixing Inner West plumbing from our base on Raper Street, Newtown, since 2005. We can check every flexi hose in your home, replace any that are worn or past their use-by date, and test each connection before we leave.
We work Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm, across all the suburbs on our service area page. Call 1300 300 941 or request a quote, and we’ll get back to you with clear advice and an obligation-free quote.