Flexible tubes are the types of tubes capable of transporting various liquids and gases throughout them to other locations. They may be made from materials like plastic or rubber that provide them with enormous flexibility, and you can use them in a wide variety of applications. They are available in many material options and depending upon your needs you can choose among them. The specific flexibility of the tubes also depends on the material from which it is produced; PVC and polyurethane are the most flexible among them. Such flexible tubing options can transfer liquids while preventing unwanted shrinkage and partial fluid transfers.
How are Flexible Tubes Used?
Flexible tubes supply connect plumbing fixtures to a house’s rigid supply piping. They usually connect to a fixture shutoff valve that permits turning off the water supply at the fixture area. In traditional installations, water supply tubing was manufactured from chrome copper that could be bent using special tools and connected to fixtures with the help of compression fittings. These tubes are primarily used in exposed locations, especially when the appearance of such fixtures is essential. These convenient supply tubes are now popular among both plumbers and DIYers. Many of these come with Connection fittings already attached.
Types of Flexible Tubes
Here we will briefly discuss a few flexible water supply tubes that connect the plumbing fixtures and appliances to a house’s rigid supply piping. The following are different types of flexible water supply tubes:
Braided Nylon Flex Tubes
Flexible supply tubes are produced from braided nylon with a braided outer core and a solid PVC inner core. They are typically white in variety. This water supply tube is excellent for hot or cold-water supply lines. They can be utilized for most apparatuses, including fixtures, restrooms, etc.
Nylon flex tubes are genuinely adaptable, so they can be purchased long and effectively circled if fundamental. They arrive in an assortment of lengths, and the connection nuts might try to have winged switches that permit you to hand-fix the nuts without requiring a wrench or pliers.
Stainless Steel Braided Flex Tube
Stainless steel braided flexible tubes are produced of braided stainless steel, surrounded by an inner tube of PVC or Nylon. The finishing is done with shiny metal and gives a textured fabric-like look. Stainless steel is suitable for exposed areas for appearance and protecting the tubes from corrosion in specific environments.
This flexible tube is flexible but not more than braided nylon, PVC, or polymer-coated tubes. These tubes are suitable for both hot and cold-water lines.
PVC Flex Tubes
PVC flex tubes are made from PVC and are solid and durable. Typically, their outer core is braided with nylon, and the inner core is usually made of solid PVC. They have many similarities to Braided nylon flex lines. If you are looking for cheaper flex tubes, this type is the best option. But despite their low prices, they offer excellent flexibility and strength.
Polymer Coated Flex Tubes
These are flexible tubes with a PVC inner core but a polymer-coated outer core. They look very similar to stainless steel braided lines and are highly resistant to corrosion. Like the stainless-steel braided tubes, these polymer-coated ones are also highly preferred for installation in exposed locations.