The flexible hose is an important element of the shower system, and without it, hygiene procedures would not be as comfortable. But sometimes it breaks down, which causes a lot of inconvenience and increases water consumption. In this case, it is useful to know how to repair a shower hose or replace it with a new one if the old one cannot be repaired. It would also be useful to familiarize yourself with the intricacies of choosing hoses so that you do not have to change them every year.
Shower hose
No. 1. Shower hose design
The flexible shower hose has an extremely simple design :
- inner tube;
- outer braid (may be missing);
- two nuts for attaching the hose to the mixer and watering can.
The inner tube is made of plastic or rubber; you can also find products with a nylon tube. Plastic is the cheapest option, but does not have record durability. In addition, it is sensitive to pressure changes. The best option is an inner tube made of rubber , but such a hose will cost a little more. It is not difficult to understand what kind of material was used. Just look inside the hose, and if you see a white tube, then it is most likely plastic. You can also try stretching the hose: rubber stretches well, but this will not work with a plastic tube.
Some manufacturers produce shower hoses that consist only of transparent plastic . Such products look very interesting, especially when water flows over them. You can take such a hose if you have a flow-through filter at home, otherwise you will soon be able to observe lime deposits inside the tube, so there is no question of any aesthetics.
However, a hose without an external winding is very rare. The tube coating performs several important functions, including protection from external mechanical influences, twisting and destruction under the influence of pressure changes and high temperatures. The outer winding increases the aesthetics of the hose and can be made of metal, plastic, or have a silicone coating. The appearance and performance depend on the type of material.
Connecting elements are located at both ends of the hose . The flat nut is intended for connection to the mixer, while the cone-shaped nut provides connection to the watering can. When deciding which shower hose to choose, it is important to pay attention not only to the winding and design, but also to the quality of the nuts: the thicker they are, the better.
When is specialist help needed?
We do not recommend repairing the cabin electronics. If the equipment no longer executes commands correctly, you need to call a technician. Warranty repairs are carried out free of charge, so be sure to keep your receipts and documents.
For post-warranty service, you can contact a company specializing in plumbing repairs. To replace the glass, pan or completely disassemble/assemble the booth, you can also contact a specialist. If you do not have experience in such work and free time, then you can save more than one day by spending a small amount.
Don't be afraid to contact private companies. Often these are the same craftsmen from service centers who work part-time in their spare time, or experienced specialists who have retired
If you have free time and a desire to replace the glass of the shower stall yourself, the instructions we provide will provide significant assistance.
Before starting repairs, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the prices of parts. It also happens that replacing a tray or shower block costs a little more than restoration work, so it makes sense not to waste time and just install new structural elements.
A common problem for the operation of a shower box is disturbances in the connection to communication networks. How to connect a shower to water supply and sewerage is described in the following article. We advise you to read the useful information.
No. 2. Types of external winding
The outer braid protects the inner tube from a number of negative influences, increases the elasticity of the hose, its strength, wear resistance and durability, and improves aesthetics. This is in general, but if you dig deeper, many of the properties of the winding will depend on what material it is made of. The most popular options today:
- metal winding;
- plastic winding;
- silicone coated winding.
Metal winding is a classic. It is made of stainless steel, less often - of copper alloys. It has a spiral shape. The metal body provides the hose with excellent flexibility and protects the inner tube well from kinks and kinks. Moreover, such a hose looks impeccable in appearance, it can have a chrome-plated surface, or be made in bronze or gold color, so you can decorate the bathroom in any style. Metal hoses are inexpensive, but they also have some disadvantages . Firstly, low durability (on average 5-7 years). Secondly, over time, the winding begins to unwind, peel and break, damaging the inner tube. In addition, limescale and dirt on the metal will be quite noticeable.
The plastic case copes well with high temperatures (up to 70-800C), has increased flexibility, is resistant to corrosion, is easy to clean, and can be smooth or spiral. clear, colored and chrome-plated plastic hoses on sale Chrome-plated products are externally indistinguishable from metal ones, colored ones give free rein to imagination in interior design, and transparent ones only look impressive at first. Then streaks and even blackened spots appear on them. The main disadvantages of plastic windings are their tendency to dry out and crack. To extend its service life, it is better not to wind the hose tightly - let it hang freely in the shower or bathtub. The plastic case is not repairable.
Plastic hoses reinforced with metal wire are also sold . Such products receive additional strength, durability, resistance to bending and microcracks.
Another good modern solution is a metal hose with silicone coating. The additional layer protects the metal from delamination, increasing the durability of the product. In addition, flexibility and elasticity increases. Such hoses last longer than conventional metal ones, leak less often, and they are much easier to keep clean - fungus will not appear on the silicone. The disadvantages are higher price and weight.
Dismantling sequence
Disassembling a divider of a conventional design begins with unscrewing the union nut, through which the water supply hose is attached to it. In a situation where the watering can has not been in use for very long, this nut can be unscrewed manually. If, due to strong “sticking” of the joint, this was not possible, you will have to use an adjustable wrench.
After removing the nut, you will need to disconnect the supply hose and begin disassembly.
In order to disassemble a shower head with a switch (from Grohe, for example), you will need a special key, instructions for use of which are given below.
First of all, in the center of the scattering mesh you should find several recesses designed specifically for its dismantling. Having inserted the key into them, you need to turn it counterclockwise until this part is completely turned out.
After unscrewing and removing the central panel, the swirl box is removed from under it, which is fixed in the center with a special screw. To dismantle it you will need a Phillips screwdriver. After this, free access to all parts to be cleaned will be provided.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=oEAewZyJV7s
No. 3. Connection Size
The standard thread diameter of the nut on both ends of the hose is 1/2 inch, but 3/8 inch nuts are also available. It is important that the size of the connecting elements of the hose matches the size of the connecting elements of the watering can and mixer. Otherwise, you will have to use special adapters.
The European inch system in determining thread sizes is used everywhere today. There is also a domestic metric system, but it is used very rarely: hoses and watering cans with Russian threads are difficult to find today. By the way, it is not easy even for a professional to determine by eye which type of thread is used in a particular sample. Our sample nuts are slightly larger. To avoid mistakes, the easiest way is to take an old hose with you to the store.
Shower switch repair
If cleaning the plumbing did not help and the water pressure is still weak, you should look for the cause of the breakdown elsewhere. If your showerhead is multi-mode, you will need to check the switch. It may need repairs.
Using a hex wrench, remove the center panel on the watering can. Inside there is a round mechanism equipped with concentric swirlers. They are installed according to the matryoshka principle. Take them out. Next, pull out the sealing gasket, the mesh and the switch itself. After this, carefully use tweezers to hook the spring inside the mechanism and replace it with a new one. During disassembly, be careful not to remove the diffuser inside the watering can.
No. 4. Hose length
The standard length is 150 cm. Such hoses have gained maximum popularity, they provide complete freedom of movement, and all the most remote parts of the bathtub or shower tray can be washed without any problems with such a hose. At the same time, the hose is not too long and will not get in the way under your feet; there will also be no need to twist it several times.
On sale you can find hoses with a length of 125 cm (the best option for a hygienic shower and arranging a shower panel), 175 and 200 cm . The latter are quite difficult to find, and they are suitable for high shower panels. Be sure to consider the size and features of your shower or bathtub when choosing the length of the hose. Both a hose that is too short and a hose that is disproportionately long will cause a lot of inconvenience. So don't skimp and don't overstock.
Required tools for disassembly
The shower breaks for 2 reasons: a manufacturing defect or (most often) a blockage due to low-quality tap water. There is no point in postponing repairs: if you act slowly, the situation will only get worse. Then a complete replacement of the nozzle will be required.
You need to prepare the tools:
- screwdriver (flat or Phillips depending on the screw);
- knife;
- adjustable wrench.
Also, repairs may require a special hexagon if your shower model is quite complex. With this tool it is easy to dismantle the body and not spoil the appearance of the plumbing.
No. 6. What else to consider when choosing?
To choose the right shower hose, pay attention to the following points when purchasing:
- preferably hoses with additional antibacterial and antifungal protection;
- the base of the connecting elements should be brass, not plastic;
- there should be no burrs, sagging or other defects on the hose;
- crooked thread is a sign of a low-quality product. We hope it is clear that such a hose will cause a lot of problems during installation and operation;
- uneven color and corrugations of different sizes are other signs of an unscrupulous manufacturer;
- The hose should come with a pair of gaskets for the nuts;
- The manufacturer must be indicated on the packaging, as well as all important parameters of the product.
Principles of repair work
As a rule, a malfunction of the faucet is indicated by water leakage .
Repair begins with identifying the cause of this unpleasant phenomenon. The breakdown of the mixer switch is considered difficult , since it is located between the drain valve and the hose .
This is a complex mechanism that blocks the flow of water. When the “ spout ” mode is turned on, the “ shower ” mode is disabled.
Such a device has two positions : flow redirection and stop mode . When the “ gander ” is turned on, the “shower” mode is immediately blocked . the opposite effect also occurs . violates this concept .
Attention! The main enemy of plumbing products is tap water , which is not always of high quality. It contains impurities that can render any faucet unusable .
No. 7. Shower hose manufacturers
The leaders in the market of flexible shower hoses are German companies. Their products are of high quality, durability, reliability, but also cost accordingly. Good products can be found from Czech, Hungarian and domestic manufacturers. Chinese hoses in most cases are of low quality, but sometimes there are pleasant exceptions.
The largest manufacturers of shower hoses include:
- Hansgrohe is a large German company specializing in the production of sanitary ware. Hoses are presented in several collections, made of different materials. The range of prices is sufficient, there are budget products, the most expensive ones (with antibacterial coating) are guaranteed for up to 5 years
- Grohe is another German company. Its products combine impeccable quality and excellent design. All hoses are guaranteed, all products receive the Twist-Free protective system;
- Ravak - cheaper Czech hoses. The company uses anti-twist protection in its models, produces products with lengths from 150 to 200 cm, and provides a guarantee;
- Aquanet is a domestic manufacturer, offering a wide range of different hoses, prices are reasonable;
- Zegor is a Chinese company, the very exception to the rule. Produces hoses with different windings, incl. plastic with metal reinforcement.
You can also recommend the products of KorDi (Switzerland), IDDIS (Russia), Kludi (Germany) and Nobili (Italy).
Additional features
- Anti-twist protection.
An important option is protection against creases and twisting. It consists of bearings and swivel joints built into the ends of the hose, allowing the tube to rotate freely at the junction with the watering can and mixer. The cost of such products is quite high, but the service life, due to the absence of deformation, increases significantly. No matter how you move around the shower stall, the shower hose will not twist in figure eights or break at the junction with the mixer. - Stretch braid.
We advise you to pay attention to models with stretchable braid. This is especially important if there are children in the family who, while bathing, can experiment with hygiene items. An expandable hose is much more difficult to break than a regular hose. - Antibacterial coating.
An equally interesting additional option is antibacterial and antifungal surface protection. The special coating ensures the absence of pathogenic microflora on the external and internal surfaces of the tube and braid. - Gaskets with filter.
To prevent small particles from clogging the shower head openings, choose a hose with a built-in microfilter. The durable mesh effectively traps grains of sand, particles of limescale and other inclusions. To clean the filter, it is necessary to periodically disassemble and wash the gasket.
Shower hose ESKO 120 cm
No. 8. How to install a shower hose?
Replacing an old shower hose with a new one is not difficult - you don’t have to be a plumber or have any experience in this field. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- unpack the new hose and check its integrity;
- unscrew the watering can. There are usually no problems here, everything is done by hand, but sufficient force may be required. If the connection does not work, then the cone of the old hose can be held with a pipe wrench and the watering can be turned by hand so as not to damage it;
- unscrew the nut on the mixer, you can use an open-end wrench;
- clean the threads of the mixer and watering can from dirt;
- insert the gasket into the union nut and screw it onto the mixer;
- the second gasket is inserted into the cone-shaped nut and the watering can is tightened. You need to work with your hands, as you can tighten the thread with a tool;
- turn on the water and check the work done. If water is leaking somewhere, you should tighten the nuts a little more tightly.
If the thread size on the hose and the mixer or watering can does not match, you will also have to attach adapters. This makes installation somewhat more complicated.
Leaking at the connection to the faucet or shower sprayer
The reasons for the appearance of unwanted leaks in these places can be either loose nuts or wear of the rubber gaskets.
- In the first case, tighten the nuts manually or using a wrench of the required size.
- In the second case, it is necessary to replace the rubber gaskets, after carefully unscrewing the nuts. This can also be done manually or using an adjustable wrench. Do not forget to tighten all elements tightly after replacing the gaskets.
- If the plastic adapters fail, the shower hose must be replaced.
No. 9. Hose care and maintenance
To ensure that your shower hose serves faithfully for many years, follow a few simple rules when handling it:
- After taking a shower, place the watering can in the holder. Do not throw the hose into a bathtub or onto a tray, do not twist it around the faucet, do not twist, bend, stretch or pinch the product;
- abrasives, aggressive chemicals and hard metal brushes are not suitable for cleaning the hose - it is better to use a soft cloth, a synthetic brush and ordinary detergents;
- It is better not to allow very hot water to pass through the hose for a long time.
If you follow these rules, then even the simplest hose will last quite a long time. If handled carelessly, an expensive product will quickly break.
Review of common breakdowns
Economical shower cabins with a minimum of functions or expensive hydromassage boxes are designed for daily hygiene - taking a shower.
Some of them can be used as a bath. These are complex devices consisting of many parts. There are a lot of modifications of boxes: from open ones, reminiscent of a regular shower with protective partitions, to closed, sealed and stuffed with electronics.
Image gallery
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The simplest version of a shower stall
Model with plastic tray
Inexpensive shower cubicle 90*90
Shower hydrobox with a set of additional functions
Both simple models, built with your own hands without a traditional pallet, and complex factory designs break, but some of the problems are common. For example, any of the presented cabins may have a cracked protective screen or a faucet that may fail.
List of breakdowns that users of shower boxes most often encounter:
- wear of the ladder or water seal installed under the bottom;
- deformation of the pallet or the appearance of cracks on its surface;
- mechanical damage to doors or protective screens;
- damage to door rollers or hinges responsible for opening;
- failure of shower equipment - watering can, hose, mixer.
In complex electronically controlled models, electrical parts may break or software failure may occur.
Only specialists can deal with electronics on their own; broken glass, a drainage device or a deformed shower tray are best replaced, but minor damage can be repaired yourself.
For example, even an amateur can repair rollers, restore a pan, clean a plumbing filter, or remove scratches on a plastic screen.
