Flexi hoses, those flexible braided hoses commonly found under kitchen and bathroom sinks, are often overlooked in the realm of household maintenance. Yet, these seemingly inconspicuous components contribute to a significant number of water damage events. Understanding the significance of having a regular inspection and replacement process for flexi hoses in your building is not just about safeguarding your property; it's about protecting your investment, reducing your strata insurance claims and ensuring peace of mind.
The Anatomy of a Flexi Hose
Flexi hoses are a rubber pipe encased by braided lengths of stainless steel. Flexi hoses, as their name implies, offer flexibility, allowing them to be contorted to fit into tight spaces under bathroom vanities, kitchen sinks, toilets and laundries. This versatility makes them a preferred choice for plumbing installations in homes and commercial properties alike. However, beneath their convenience lies a potential hazard that shouldn’t be ignored.
The Risks of Neglect
A damaged, worn or improperly installed flexi hose has the potential to cause significant damage and inconvenience in your property. From minor leaks to catastrophic escape of water, the consequences of neglecting these essential components can be costly. Flexi hoses are responsible for millions of dollars in water claims within the strata insurance sector. Water damage to properties is one of the largest contributors to damage in strata outside of fire, and a large contributor to this is the damage caused by broken and worn flexi hoses. It's not uncommon for a $10 flexi hose to cause tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in building damage —a staggering reminder of the importance of proactive maintenance.
The Solution: Regular Checks and Water Regulation Valves
Fortunately, mitigating the risks associated with flexi hoses requires some simple yet effective measures to reduce your risks.
Importantly, integrating regular six-monthly checks of flexi hoses into your strata maintenance program is paramount. These routine inspections serve as a proactive approach to identifying signs of wear, cracks, leaks, or damage before they escalate into costly disasters. Flexi hoses generally have a life span of five to ten years so introducing a regular replacement programme for flexi hoses is an important part of any maintenance and replacement schedule.
If you have flexi hoses in your building, apartment or townhouse, get your plumber to install an isolation tap (or stop tap) to every hose. This allows you to isolate water to that hose quickly - for a small cost it can potentially save you thousands of dollars.
If you are away from your home for some time, on holidays or weekends away, consider turning off the water to your property. Remember, leaking or burst pipes leak thousands of litres of water every day.
Empowering Property Owners
Taking proactive steps to maintain and schedule replacement of flexi hoses is not solely the responsibility of property managers or owners' corporations. As lot owners, it's imperative to engage with your strata manager or owners' corporation and inquire about the implementation of these preventative measures. By advocating for regular inspections, replacement and the installation of isolation taps, you're not only protecting your investment but also contributing to the overall safety prevention of serious damage and claims to your property.
Conclusion
Maintaining your flexi hose isn't just about preserving the integrity of your property—it's about safeguarding against potential disasters that can have far-reaching consequences. By prioritising regular inspections and the installation of isolation taps, you're taking proactive steps to mitigate the risks associated with these seemingly innocuous components. Don't wait until disaster strikes; take action now to ensure the longevity and safety of your property. After all, when it comes to protecting your investment, prevention is always better.
For more information on strata insurance, property maintenance, and other resources, visit the Strata Toolkit by Strata Community Insurance.
We sincerely thank our Platinum Partners Strata Community Insurance for this editorial.
