Braided Supply Lines and Other $20 Fixes That Prevent Floods

The simplest way to prevent appliance water leaks is to replace old rubber and plastic supply hoses with braided stainless steel lines, which cost about $20 each, and to make sure every appliance has a shutoff valve that works. Supply hoses and their fittings are among the most common sources of sudden indoor water damage. They are also among the easiest parts in the house to inspect and change.

Why supply lines fail

A supply line is under full household pressure every hour of every day, whether the appliance is running or not. Rubber hardens and cracks with age and heat. Plastic tubing gets brittle and can split or pop out of its fitting. Crimped ends corrode. Vibration from a washing machine works connections loose. Failure can come as a slow weep at a fitting or as a sudden burst, and a burst hose releases a great deal of water in a short time. If it happens when nobody is home, it runs until someone returns.

Braided supply lines: where to use them

A braided line has an inner tube wrapped in a woven stainless steel jacket that resists bulging, kinking and bursting. Use them here:

• Washing machine. Replace both the hot and cold rubber hoses. This is the single most valuable swap in most homes.
• Toilets. The short line from the wall valve to the tank is often stiff plastic or old chrome tubing.
• Kitchen and bathroom faucets. There are two lines under each sink, hot and cold.
• Dishwasher. The supply line runs from under the kitchen sink to the front of the machine.
• Fridge ice maker and water dispenser. Thin plastic tubing is common here and easily damaged when the fridge is moved. A braided line made for fridges is tougher.
• Water heater. Flexible connectors on the top of the tank should be in good condition and free of corrosion. Have these changed by a plumber or gas fitter if you are not sure.

How to check and replace a supply line

1. Look at each line with a flashlight. Replace any that show bulges, kinks, cracks, rust on the fittings, white or green crust, or dampness.
2. Check the age. Many manufacturers suggest replacing supply hoses about every five years, and some braided lines have a date printed on a tag. If you do not know how old a line is, replace it.
3. Shut off the valve feeding the line, and open the tap or run the appliance briefly to release pressure.
4. Put a towel or small bucket underneath and unscrew the old line.
5. Buy the correct length and fitting sizes. Take the old line to the store if you are unsure. The new line should reach with a gentle curve and no sharp bend or stretch.
6. Thread the nuts on by hand first, then snug them with a wrench. Do not overtighten, and do not add thread tape to fittings that seal with a rubber washer.
7. Turn the water back on slowly and watch the connections. Check again an hour later and the next day with a dry tissue.

Other cheap fixes that prevent appliance water leaks

• Quarter-turn shutoff valves. Old multi-turn stops under sinks and behind toilets seize up or drip from the stem when you finally need them. A quarter-turn ball-style stop is inexpensive and closes with a flick. If the old one is soldered on, have a plumber change it.
• A drain pan under the washing machine or water heater. A pan catches slow leaks and drips, and one piped to a floor drain can carry water away. It is most useful on an upper floor.
• Toilet fill valve and flapper. These tank parts cost little and wear out. A worn fill valve can let the tank overfill, and a toilet that runs constantly wastes water and can hide a bigger problem.
• A new wax ring or seal if the toilet rocks. Movement breaks the seal at the floor and lets water seep into the subfloor with each flush.
• A standpipe that fits. Make sure the washing machine drain hose is secured in its standpipe so it cannot jump out during the spin cycle.

Habits that cost nothing

• Leave a few centimetres of space behind the washer and fridge so the lines are not crushed or kinked against the wall.
• Turn each shutoff valve off and on once or twice a year so it does not seize.
• Run the washing machine and dishwasher when someone is home and awake.
• Close the washing machine supply valves if you will be away for more than a few days.
• Clean the washer's drain filter and the dishwasher filter as the manuals describe. A blocked drain can push water out the front.
• Look under every sink once a month. Move the bottles aside and feel the cabinet floor for dampness or swelling.
• Make sure every adult in the house knows where the main water shutoff is.

This weekend, pull the washing machine forward and look at the hoses. If they are black rubber, or you cannot remember when they were last changed, pick up a pair of braided lines and swap them. It is a ten-minute job.

Common questions