Gas hoses: types of gas hoses + how to choose the best

From the moment of the appearance of the first gas appliances and until recently, they were connected only with steel pipes.

Now everything has changed dramatically: flexible gas hoses, which have already managed to virtually supplant their obsolete predecessors, have firmly entered into use. They are much more convenient in operation, easier and faster connected to the highway.

You do not know what type of hose to choose from the range offered by the market? Let's understand together - the article discusses the main types of products used to connect gas, their advantages and disadvantages are highlighted.

We also provide useful recommendations for choosing the best option for flexible eyeliner. The material is supplemented by video tips and visual photos with the image of hoses from various materials.

Varieties of gas hoses

There are many models of movable joints on the market. Among them, there are three main types of modern hoses for gas supply: rubber-fabric, reinforced, bellows.

In the process of their production, different materials are used that differ in technical characteristics, operating conditions and service life. Each type of product has both pros and cons. Which of the gas hoses is better to choose depends on the specific situation, installation location, household appliance.

Type # 1 - rubber and fabric products

Rubber fabric hoses are the easiest and cheapest option. These are soft rubber sleeves reinforced with durable textile thread. They are quite unpretentious to use.

The rubber from which the hoses are made is supplemented with elastic components that extend the life of up to 5 years. The material does not conduct electricity, bends well. However, over time, it begins to crack, which is fraught with possible gas leaks.

Rubber tubing should be marked in the form of a glued yellow label. This means that they are for gas, not water.

Advantages of rubber products: affordable cost and quick installation, flexibility and excellent electrical insulation, the presence of numerous models of different diameters and sizes.

But there are also disadvantages:

• high sensitivity to mechanical stress;
• minimum protection against temperature extremes;
• insufficient rigidity.

This type of eyeliner is characterized by a high degree of danger. Even dielectric capabilities cannot prevent the natural wear of rubber.

It is allowed to connect only to gas bottlesbut subject to replacement every two years in order to prevent unpleasant consequences. Positive feedback characterized several brands of rubber sleeves: IndustriasMateu, GasLink, Kuzuflex.

View # 2 - metal-braided rubber hoses

This variety is a reinforced sleeve made of vulcanized rubber braided on the outside with steel threads. The inner part is made of polymeric materials.

The polymer, placed in the middle, is subject to destruction and destruction as well as rubber. In addition, steel serves as a conductor of electricity.

Using tubes in a metal braid, you need to remember to shut off gas taps. This measure extends the life of the reinforced product.

When connecting such hoses, it is imperative to use additional insulator inserts, placing them between the eyeliner and the household appliance.

Product Advantages:

• low price;
• ability to withstand high temperatures (up to 50 degrees);
• simplicity of installation and operation.

Among the shortcomings, the dubious reliability of internal polymer compounds and the low level of electrical insulation should be noted.

Reinforced gas devices are easy to distinguish from water piping by the color of the outer braid: they are usually marked in yellow, and their water counterparts in red and blue. At the moment, brands Ecoflex, GAS-FLEX, Fado are in demand.

View # 3 - bellows gas hoses

Flexible bellows-type devices are recognized as the most practical and safe type of gas inlet. These are hermetic sleeves made of stainless steel and polymeric materials reinforced with corrugation, repeating the shape of a ring or screw. A wire is included in its composition, due to which high pressure is maintained.

At the ends of the products, fittings made of brass or carbon steel with thread are installed, equipped with gaskets. Such elements are necessary for direct connection to the equipment.

According to manufacturers, flexible bellows eyeliners are made by analogy with the structure of the human intestine. That is why they freely resize. Repeatedly bending, stretching and becoming significantly longer, the hoses do not lose their original elasticity, strength and performance.

In practice, it is not advisable to stretch the product more than 50 percent of the original length, since this negatively affects its stiffness.

Reinforced elements are practically not subject to mechanical defects and aggressive detergents, protected from stray currents. The unique design of the corrugation compensates for the expansion and contraction of the metal during heating and cooling

Simple models are presented in the form of a corrugated hose with a round cross-section, more advanced ones are protected by a special metal sleeve, and there are also products with a polymer coating.

You can also consider the upgraded version - hoses equipped with a thermal valve that cuts off gas at a critical temperature increase. Corrugated tubes are available in a characteristic bright yellow color.

Their main advantages:

• reliability and safety;
• flexible, but rather dense structure;
• exposure to a wide range of operating temperatures (-50 ... + 250);
• resistance to high pressure (up to 6 atmospheres);
• the possibility of lengthening twice;
• durability (service life about 30 years);
• compatibility with any gas equipment and fittings.

Professional gas workers believe that this type of hose most closely matches European standards and is best suited for modern gas systems. But they have one significant drawback - high cost.

Corrugated tubes are often connected in open areas where devices constantly experience cyclic temperature changes. Verified manufacturers of bellows hoses: Hydrosta, LAVITA, EMIFLEX, TuboFlex, Ayvaz.

View # 4 - oxygen hoses

There is another type of gas hoses - oxygen hoses. They are relatively inexpensive, have high strength, can withstand high pressure (up to 20 atmospheres).

However, experts highly recommend not installing an oxygen hose in the apartment. Now it is rarely found on new equipment.

Oxygen hoses are characterized by one significant drawback: they cannot serve as permanent hoses for supplying gas to the devices and equipment used

An oxygen hose is used as a temporary connection option, for example, in a country house for connecting a gas cylinder. In this case, do not forget to purchase and gas reducer to ensure the safety of the balloon.

For any gas appliance, you should use an eyeliner exclusively with the appropriate marking, confirming that the particular device is designed specifically for gas. When connecting geysers or stoves, water hoses are prohibited.

Features of choosing the best hose

It is advisable to purchase hoses for supplying gas to household equipment in specialized stores that can provide a quality certificate for each product.

In the assortment you can find models of different lengths. It is selected so that subsequently it is not necessary to dock several tubes with each other.

The most commonly used tubes are 1, 1.5 and 2 meters. This reduces the risk of eyeliner ruptures and, consequently, increased danger to apartment residents. If the length is not enough, the supply is supplemented by a metal pipe.

Another important indicator is the diameter of the cross section. The minimum value, which will ensure good cross-country ability and full gas supply to the device, is 10 mm.

The ends of the hoses are equipped with two nuts or one nut and a fitting. The nut has an internal thread, the union is external. The thread is selected in accordance with the output on the household appliance. If the output is direct, then a special fitting-corner is used.

Professionals advise buying hoses with a sufficient margin of length (there are sleeves up to 4.5 meters on sale). This approach will allow you to choose any convenient place for the equipment and simplify installation, freely completing the installation without excessive tension

As a budget option, an ordinary rubber-fabric hose will fit. Choosing this product, you need to carefully monitor the degree of wear.

If the slightest cracks, damage or smell of gas are detected, replace them on time. When searching for a proposal that optimally combines price and quality indicators, it makes sense to stay on reinforced hoses.

In order for the gas to reach all the burners on the stove in the required volume, the diameter of the gas hose must be at least 10 mm. The bigger it is, the better

If finances allow, it is better to take a bellows hose. It is recognized as the safest and most reliable device - it is officially approved for use with household appliances by the city gas services.

Stopping your choice on it, you need to check the type of connection. Its quality directly affects the durability of the product. It is undesirable to take models in which the fitting is connected to the corrugation with glue. It is more advisable to find a solid or welded structure.

Credible Signs of Counterfeiting

Regardless of the type of flexible gas hose, make sure that the goods are genuine before purchasing.The fact is that recently cases of marriage and fakes, launched by Chinese manufacturers, have become more frequent.

Well-known European brands usually become objects of falsification. The difference in the quality of the original and the fake is enormous.

It is possible to play it safe and distinguish a quality product from a counterfeit.

To do this, you must:

• take time to thorough visual inspection;
• check whether the technical specifications correspond to those indicated in the product passport;
• require the seller to present quality certificates confirming the safety of the device designed to work with explosive substances;
• Do not buy goods at a suspiciously low price uncharacteristic for products in this category.

The structure of counterfeit goods may contain hazardous chemical or radioactive impurities. Defective hoses are short-lived and often cause explosions.

Secure Connection Instructions

If you have at least minimal skills, you can connect the gas to the device with your own hands.

In the work, you must adhere to the following rules:

• select the length of the eyeliner taking into account the distance over which the equipment will supposedly move;
• place the device in a place accessible for visual inspection without hiding it under the floor or in the wall;
• make sure that there are no other connections on the device (the exception is the wire that performs the function of lighting in the oven of the stove);
• Do not stain the product, as this leads to rapid cracking of the material;
• use gas hoses of standard sizes provided for by standards established by GOST;
• do not provoke electrolytic damage by connecting copper lugs with steel (safe combinations: steel-steel, brass-copper);
• avoid twisting, bending and stretching of the sleeve;
• Do not expose the joints to high temperatures (soldering, welding).

In multi-storey buildings, a common gas riser is installed, which has branches with cranes at the ends. They are present in each apartment and are called a lodging.

It’s easy to connect the gas to the stove: a little free time and a minimum set of tools are enough

At the first stage of work, the room is prepared and the gas supply to the network is shut off. Then the equipment, whether it is a column or a plate, is exposed to the installation site and carefully leveled.

After that, put a sealant on the hose fitting and screw it into the tap on the lowering. If the thread on the device does not match the diameter of the sleeve, an adapter is required, which is also sealed. Next, the hose is connected to the equipment.

To connect, you will need a flexible hose itself, a ball valve, a sealant (Fum tape, elbow), a screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, as well as a soap solution (water + soap or gel) and a brush

At the end, the tightness of the connecting elements is tested by opening the tap. This is easy to do with an ordinary soap emulsion and a small brush.

If the compound is not tight, the applied soap solution will foam and bubble, if everything is in order, no reaction will occur

If an insufficient density of connections is detected, the crane handle is slightly screwed on and the winding is checked. The last step is to diagnose the functionality of the equipment and gas supply.

The most correct decision in case of insufficient self-confidence is to contact gas companies. Specialists will perform the connection in compliance with all standards, which will guarantee a healthy, safe and reliable system operation for many years.

On our site there are detailed instructions for replacing a gas hose and for connecting various gas equipment.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with these materials:

• Do-it-yourself gas hose replacement: installation rules
• How to transfer a gas pipe in an apartment: transfer rules and location tips
• DIY gas stove connection: how to install a gas stove in an apartment step by step
• Connection diagram of a dual-circuit gas boiler: how to properly supply gas to the boiler
• Do-it-yourself gas column installation in an apartment: requirements and technical standards for installation

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

More about the main types of flexible eyeliner in the video:

Video instruction for connecting the stove to gas:

The connection diagram of the gas column in the video clip:

Thanks to universal flexible hoses, it became possible to refuse to connect household appliances to gas pipes “tightly”. The mobility of such devices greatly simplifies the life of the owners of kitchen facilities, allowing you to easily move equipment for cleaning, moving or repairing without any special difficulties.

And what type of hose did you choose to connect the gas at home? Tell, which of the advantages of eyeliner has become the main reason for choosing? How long have you been using this flexible hose?

Or maybe you noticed an inaccuracy in the considered material or want to supplement the above with your own opinion? Please leave your comment under our article.