Flexi Hose Burst? Here’s Exactly What to Do (+ How to Prevent It)

A burst flexi hose is one of the most common — and most damaging — plumbing emergencies in Australian homes. These small corrugated stainless steel hoses connect your water supply to taps, toilets, and washing machines, and they can fail catastrophically without warning, releasing hundreds of litres of water per hour into your home.

What to Do Immediately If a Flexi Hose Bursts

1. Turn off the water supply immediately. There is usually an isolation valve directly behind the flexi hose (the small valve on the wall or floor). Turn it clockwise to close. If it’s seized or missing, turn off the main water supply at your water meter.
2. Mop up water as fast as possible to limit damage to floors, cabinetry, and walls.
3. Call a plumber. The failed flexi hose needs to be replaced before you can restore water to that outlet.
4. Document the damage with photos for your home insurance claim. Most policies cover sudden accidental water damage.

Where Are Flexi Hoses in Your Home?

Flexi hoses connect the water supply to:

• Toilets (cistern inlet)
• Under kitchen sinks (hot and cold to tap)
• Under bathroom vanity basins
• Washing machine connections
• Dishwashers

The average Melbourne home has 8–15 flexi hoses throughout the property — many in hidden or enclosed locations like under-sink cabinets.

Why Do Flexi Hoses Fail?

Flexi hoses have a limited lifespan of approximately 5–10 years, but many Australian homes have hoses that are 15–20 years old. They fail due to:

• Age and metal fatigue — The braided stainless steel corrodes and weakens over time
• High water pressure — Pressure above 500kPa accelerates degradation
• Kinking or bending — Hoses installed with tight bends are prone to early failure
• Corrosion — Moisture under cabinets (from condensation or minor drips) accelerates corrosion

How to Prevent a Flexi Hose Disaster

The best prevention is proactive replacement. Water utilities and plumbing associations recommend replacing all flexi hoses every 5–10 years, regardless of visible condition — a hose can look fine externally while the internal mesh has corroded.

Ask your plumber to replace all flexi hoses at once while they’re on site for another job. The labour cost is minimal and the peace of mind is significant.