Bathroom Water Supply Lines Do Not Last Forever

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

Water supply lines are not always avoidable.

Bathroom Water Supply Lines Do Not Last Forever

All toilet water connections have a hose that connects the toilet to the shutoff valve. Most often, the hose consists of a shiny stainless-steel braid surrounding a polymer tube. It is a masterpiece of simplicity.

• The internal polymer tube contains the flowing water.
  
• The stainless-steel exterior makes it rustproof and gives it strength.
  
• The braid gives it flexibility.
  

It sounds indestructible. Why would we ever be concerned about supply line damage? How could it ever be the source of a bathroom leak?

Your Supply Line May Be Rustproof, but It's Not Immune to Chlorine
If there is a public water supply in Waterloo, OK, your water is probably chlorinated. Cleaning products often contain chlorine. We all know how it smells. If you pay close attention, you can probably detect a faint smell of chlorine in your bathroom.
The process whereby chlorine causes supply line damage is simple. Cold water passes through the water supply line. Moisture from the air condenses on the stainless steel and interacts with the chlorine in the air. The result is that the condensation becomes a very mild solution of hydrochloric acid. It may not be strong, but it is eating away at your stainless-steel all day, every day. Eventually, the wires in the braid break and puncture the polymer interior causing a supply line leak.

Replace Your $20 Water Supply Hose and Save Thousands in Repairs
There are no official guidelines for how long your braided water supply hose should last. However, you should consider replacing the supply line if

• You can see discolored areas on the stainless-steel braid.
  
• You can see or feel broken strands of wire, particularly near the couplings.
  
• You or your plumber is performing maintenance on the toilet.
  

Supply Line Damage Is Not Always Avoidable
When your supply line fails, there is going to be significant water damage that needs immediate attention. That’s why you will want to bring in the best water damage remediation specialists available.