Leaking stainless braided water heater hose.

[Terry]

Too many times I find leaking stainless braided water heater hoses that someone has installed.
The flexes below were on a six year old gas water heater. Even though there is a rubber seal on the end of those hoses, they just can't resist wrapping tape on the threads. Tape does nothing. The seal takes place with the rubber seal at the end of the flexible connector.

Leaking water heater supply lines that are only six years old.

What they get replaced with. Corrugated copper lines. I tried to remove as much tape as I could before I threaded on new supply lines. I hate tape on water heater connections.

What I took off.
The new copper water flexes should last as long as the water heater.

 

[Dj2]

Why would anybody install anything other than corrugated copper flex?

corrugated copper flex is the least expensive and most reliable.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Stuff]

Why would anybody install anything other than corrugated copper flex?

corrugated copper flex is the least expensive and most reliable.

The big box stores don't stock it around here. I assumed braided was better (freeze protection) so never questioned it. They also offer a low end corrugated stainless steel version - I had a new one leak at a friend's house so replaced it with braided. Did I do him wrong twice?

 

[Dj2]

The big box stores don't stock it around here. I assumed braided was better (freeze protection) so never questioned it. They also offer a low end corrugated stainless steel version - I had a new one leak at a friend's house so replaced it with braided. Did I do him wrong twice?

Not necessarily. I've seen braided connectors outlasting the WH itself.