Supply lines

[fred1949]

Could you give me your professional opinion about these supply lines that are used with faucets like Moen? They are made out of plastic & other types have a stainless flexable covering. I'm sure they are easier to install but are they safe from developing a leak? Also do they dry out after so many years, what is there life span after instalation? I've tried to use the hard pipe lines & they are tricky to get right so my hat goes off to the pros.

Thank you,
Fred

[X Y Scaling]

Hi Fred,
All I can tell you is from my experience. We built our present house over 18 years ago. Had Delta faucets installed in all sinks. They ALL have the plastic looking interwoven silver/gray lines that feed the faucets. Might be some kind of nylon or other strong synthetic fiber. Never had one single problem with the faucets or the supply lines leaking. That's all I know to tell you. Now let's see what others have to say.
regards, Tom

Vinyl and Laserdisc Fan

[LazyPup]

There are a variety of Factory assembled flex supply lines and this is one area where you need to read the labels carefully.

Most of the ones assembled with the translucent white plastic pipe material are made of PEX tubing and should offer a very good service life.

This is not always the case with the metal braid covered lines. While the metal braid might give the impression that they are as strong as a rocket ship fuel line in truth many of the less expensive ones only have a stainless steel braid surrounding a rubber tube. You must read the labels carefully to insure they have a PEX, PVC or Polybutelene internal line.

When using the preformed lines you must be careful to get the correct length also. If the line is too long and forms a loop or sharp curve it may weaken a bit in time and form a kink in the internal water line, which then restricts the waterflow.

When using the PVC plastic preformed supply lines you must be sure to remove the brass ferrule under the anglestop output compression nut and replace it with a nylon compression ferrule. If you will examine the nylon compression ferrules you will see that they are thich on one side and taper to a sharp edge on the opposite side. You first slide the compression nut up on the tube, then slide the compression ferrule on with the wide flat side upwards toward the nut and the sharp bevel edge downward toward the end of the tub. When installing these lines you attach it to the faucett end first, then measure the length down to the angle stop and cut the line about 1/2" long. You can then insert the tip of the line into the angle stop output and slide the ferrule and nut down tightening the nut onto the valve.

When using 3/8" copper tubing or the chrome plated tubing type there is a trick to it. First attach the line to the faucett then carefully form a small S curve in the line. You then measure the bottom end of the line at the angle stop and cut it off. Slide the compression nut on, then a brass compression ferrule and insert the line into the angle stop valve output port and tighten the nut.

If you try to measure a straight line before cutting you have no margin for error, but by forming the S curve if you happen to cut the line a bit short you can make it up by straightening the S.

[fred1949]

Thanks guys for the info. I have some of each in my home. The Moen faucets have a gray tube on them. The toilets have a chromed clad brass or copper tube. And the downstairs added on later bathroom has the stailess covered ones like you see at Lowes. The house is 11 years old should I worry about any of these & I think I know the answer to this but I guess the old hard copper or brass is the best??

Thanks

Fred

[LazyPup]

Normally when these lines fail it will begin as a minor drip or possibly a pinhole leak so I wouldn't really worry about them, and I certainly wouldn't go the the expense and bother of changing them.

The basic rule is, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

[fred1949]

Thanks again LazyPup. I'll follow your advice.

Merry Christmas,
Fred