The diameter of the pipes for supplying water to the shower at low pressure

Kinds

These water hoses are of the following types:

• for connecting a washbasin faucet, shower cabin and other equipment to hot water. To identify them, red threads are added to the braid (“A” in Fig. 2);
• for connection to cold water pipes. In their braid there are threads of blue color ("B");
• universal, allow connection to any type of water supply. The braid of such pipes has a red and blue marking ("C").

Rice. 2. Hoses for cold and hot water, as well as universal. In addition, the eyeliner differs in the material of the braid, which is reflected in certain characteristics, namely:

• Aluminum reinforcement. Currently, they are practically not used. The only advantage is the low price, which is not justified due to the short service life (3 years).In addition, such protection does not withstand pressures of more than 5 atm. But the main disadvantage of such products is their resistance to corrosion. In a damp room, the braid is rapidly destroyed, after which the rubber hose quickly becomes unusable. Therefore, such pipes can be used when connecting kitchen equipment, for example, a faucet with a retractable watering can (with a flexible hose), but they are not suitable for a bathroom or shower room.
• Stainless steel braid (the most common type). This design option significantly extends the service life (a quality product can be used for at least 10 years). These pipes can withstand a pressure of 10 atm and they have no restrictions on the type of premises, that is, they can be installed even in a steam room.
• Nylon braid, it significantly improves performance. Such products can be used for 15 years, while they are designed for pressure up to 20 atm, and the temperature of the technical environment of 110°C. True, the cost of these pipes is higher than that of the two previous types. In domestic conditions, there is no need for such high performance, so it is not advisable to use a nylon braided eyeliner.

Eyeliner in nylon braid

There are pipes where the hoses are not made of rubber, but rubber, such products are more reliable, but also much more expensive.

As an additional protection, the braid can be covered with a silicone layer, according to manufacturers, this allows you to extend the service life up to 20 years.

Bellows connection.

Despite the fact that it is also physically flexible, it is customary to single out this type of eyeliner as a separate type, due to significant design differences.The peculiarity of the bellows liner is that the shell is a metal corrugation, strong, but at the same time flexible, in addition, there is no rubber hose inside.

Bellows connection

It is also worth noting that the fitting, together with the end retainer, is welded to the corrugated sleeve, which significantly increases the reliability of the structure. The service life of products of this type is at least 25 years, while they can be used to work with a process medium heated to 250°C. As a rule, the corrugation is made of stainless steel, but there is VIP category plumbing, where brass and copper are used for this purpose.

This is a new type of eyeliner, and at the moment there have been no non-original products on the market. As for the price, it is much higher than conventional connecting hoses.

No. 6. Water supply modes

Most modern shower heads provide for several modes of water supply:

• basic - mode with normal pressure, great for hygiene procedures;
• the “soft jet” mode, due to the saturation of the water jet with air, makes taking a shower more comfortable and relaxing;
• "water fog" is a special variant of the previous mode. The flow of water breaks into such small particles that one gets the impression of being in a dense fog;
• massage mode increases the pressure of water passing through the central hole in the showerhead. As a result, blood circulation and metabolism improves, muscles relax;
• the "waterfall" mode allows you to create a dense curtain of falling water, used in "rain shower" watering cans;
• monojet - a dense stream of water under high pressure. Suitable for contrast shower procedures;
• "cascade" - a mode due to which the pulsating jet alternates with a turbojet;
• watering cans with a "vario-jet" allow you to alternate between normal pressure and a soft jet.

The number of modes and their type in watering cans may differ - be sure to check this point when buying, as this factor affects the price. If you need a shower to quickly refresh yourself, then a model with 1 mode is suitable, if you intend to carry out relaxing procedures, then the best option is 2-3 modes.

What materials are used?

Consider different types of materials.

Plastic

Metal-plastic is more commonly used - a composite material that combines the strength and flexibility of metal, lightness and affordable cost.

Installation of a plastic pipeline does not require much effort - special fittings are used (press fittings or compression analogues).

For connection, a regular wrench is suitable. The low cost makes it attractive.

Important! The most unpleasant moment is the need for maintenance - it is periodically necessary to tighten the joints, which tend to weaken under the influence of natural causes.

Low pressure polyethylene (HDPE)

Polyethylene pipes are an inexpensive option, easy to assemble - special fittings are used for this. The strength is the ability to survive a complete freeze. Often used in country houses that involve seasonal living.

Polypropylene

One of the most popular modern materials. One of its key advantages is manufacturability.

With special cutting and welding equipment, it is possible to create quite complex plumbing configurations.

It has a long service life and, in the absence of external damage, does not require any attention for decades (manufacturers designate a period of up to fifty years).

Steel

The traditional approach, which until recently was installed in all standard houses, is still successfully functioning there.

At the same time, steel (especially alloyed) is quite expensive, and assembly work is very difficult to produce them yourself.

Interesting! GOST rolled products are highly durable and can last for a very long time.

Difficulties lie in wait at each stage:

• when cutting
• thread cutting for fittings,
• sealing connections.

In some cases, welding is justified.

Cast iron

Ductile iron is well suited for external connections due to its properties and ability to produce large diameter pipes.

Resistant to external influences, to electrolytic corrosion, to temperature changes.

Like steel, it has a high cost and is difficult to process, which is indispensable indoors.

Copper

Copper plumbing looks almost like the most important part of the interior - they are very beautiful and do not require finishing or hidden installation.

Of course, the price tag for them is quite high, and this applies to both rolled products and fittings, and installation work. Assembly requires highly skilled performer.

From the point of view of functionality, copper highlights resistance to oxidation, the destruction of harmful bacteria, a huge service life (copper water pipes are found in very old houses, where they continue to serve until now).

asbestos cement

Received a fairly wide distribution for the manufacture of pipelines for various purposes.

It is a hardened mixture of asbestos paste and cement, which are molded under special conditions.

The result is an inexpensive, but practical rolled product that can work in environmental conditions and not lose its performance under external harmful influences.

It should be noted that asbestos cement is not suitable for any soil, so its choice should be carried out by a specialist, as well as subsequent installation.

Comparative characteristics:

In general, it can be noted that cold water polymer pipes are characterized by:

1. low cost;
2. simplicity and high speed of installation;
3. the ability to create complex configurations;
4. lightness of the final design (hence, small brackets are sufficient for installation);
5. lack of internal deposits, which are not easy to cling to a smooth surface.

Important! The danger is represented by strong mechanical damage and a certain temperature regime with sudden changes and significant extreme values.

The strengths of metal designs are:

• strength;
• wear resistance;
• durability;

At the same time, their cost is fundamentally higher, and installation turns out to be more difficult and longer even with the involvement of a specialist.

No. 7. Additional options for shower heads

The main thing is that the shower head should pass water well, be durable and easy to maintain. These are the basic requirements.Manufacturers have gone further and offer us products with various interesting features that may seem very necessary to someone:

• mineralization. The design of watering cans with mineralization includes compartments with various filtering components (shungite, tourmaline, flint, magnets, chlorine-absorbing granules, etc.). Passing through such natural filters, the water becomes cleaner and softer, the chlorine content in it decreases;
• backlight. Scientists have long noticed and proved the ability of color to influence the well-being and mood of a person. If you use the knowledge gained correctly, then going to the shower can become not only a way to clean yourself up and wash off the dirt, but also recharge yourself with positive emotions, without even realizing it. Green, for example, relaxes, yellow - uplifting and toning, red - energizes. LEDs are built into the body of the watering can, but they do not require a network connection for their operation. In the body of such watering cans there is a small generator that converts the energy of the stream into electricity, and since LEDs do not need much energy to work, such a generator is enough;
• watering can with thermostat. To prevent you from suddenly pouring icy or too hot water, you can use watering cans with a thermostat. It is only necessary to set a comfortable water temperature, and then the device, despite fluctuations in temperature and pressure in the water supply, will mix hot and cold water flows in such proportions that you feel as comfortable as possible;
• The self-cleaning watering can makes it easier to maintain the equipment and prolongs its service life.When changing the modes of water supply, crushing of lime and other deposits that accumulate on the surface occurs
• aeration and pressure controlled water saving technology are also optional features.

Scheme of connecting a shower cabin to the water supply

Today shower cabins are irreplaceable attribute of a bathroom. They are installed not only in apartments, but also in country houses, in summer cottages. A variety of models, compactness, ease of installation with your own hands, and all this despite their versatility.

We connect the cabin to the water supply

Connecting a shower cabin to the plumbing system is considered a simple job, but quite responsible. Since the device has already made all the necessary internal connections to the watering can, hydromassage, all the main work lies in the correct connection of the water supply elements directly to the shower cabin. Therefore, having understood all the intricacies and tricks of connecting and watching the video, it is very easy to install it yourself.

Regardless of the model, brand and design features of the cabin, connecting to the plumbing system follows a similar scenario. The process of connecting the shower cabin to the water supply is carried out according to the following scheme: preparatory work, the connection itself and checking the correctness of the connection.

• connecting hoses, if they are not included in the kit;
• compression fittings;
• connecting adapter;
• sealant, fum-tape.

No. 11. Shower head installation

Replacing the old watering can with a new one chosen according to all the rules is easy.You can do it even without the help of a plumber:

• for work you will need tools such as pliers, a metal brush and FUM tape;
• unscrew the watering can from the hose, for which we use pliers. We firmly hold the watering can and begin to unscrew the nut, continue to unscrew it with our fingers and then remove the watering can;
• clean the threads of the hose with a metal brush. There should be no traces of rust, lime and old winding on the thread;
• several layers of sanitary winding are wound onto the thread of the new watering can. In principle, you can do without it, but then there is a risk that the junction will leak a little;
• first, the watering can is screwed to the hose with your hands, a couple of turns will be enough, then the connection is tightened with pliers. It is better to do this through the fabric so as not to scratch the nut;
• health and integrity check. If the junction leaks water, you will have to add a little winding.

Filters are a necessary element

For housewives who seek to preserve the snow-white shade and luster of the enameled pan, without ugly stains of yellowness and plaque from impurities in the water, manufacturers advise filters. They guarantee a high degree of cleaning and make it possible not to burden yourself with unnecessary efforts and spending money on expensive cleaning products.

The most common and functional - filter-reducers for the supply of hot and cold water. They can be both coarse and fine cleaning, for the right choice for a certain brand of cabin, you need expert advice.

If the cost of such filters does not satisfy the client, there is a second option: to install a single-stage resin purifier, which is characterized by no less protective properties.

preliminary stage

Usually, the following items are included in the package of a shower cabin:

• a pallet equipped with a special frame designed for installation on a horizontal level;
• doors with various rollers and fasteners;
• ceiling panel (shower roof);
• side panels (walls).

Before you connect a shower cabin of a simplified version (without hydromassage and sauna), it must first be assembled.

This can be done outside the walls of the bathroom. Pre-assembly allows you to understand the features its installation and connection, as well as realistically assess its dimensions.

Before starting assembly, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Shower cabin assembly with your own hands should be carried out in the strict sequence indicated in the instructions.

After carrying out all the preparatory stages, you can proceed to the final installation and connection of equipment, following the connection diagram of the shower cubicle.

Breakdowns and malfunctions

Typical DHW malfunctions include:

• equipment failure;
• noise in the system;
• the temperature of the heating devices is below normal;
• weak pressure of hot water;
• temperature spread of the coolant on the floors of the house;
• leaks in connections;
• corrosion of pipelines and valves.

Noises are usually caused by vibration of improperly installed pumps, worn motor bearings, loose pipe fittings, failure of control valves.

Air locks in the devices themselves, misalignment of the elevator assembly, blockages and violation of thermal insulation in the heating risers lead to a decrease in the temperature of the heating devices.

Weak water pressure in the absence of blockages is most often caused by malfunctions of booster pumps. Timely maintenance increases the reliability of the heating system.

Eyeliner selection criteria

To choose a water supply, you should be guided by the following parameters:

1. scope of the hose. On sale there are eyeliners designed for:
   • cold water. A blue thread is built into the hose winding;
   • hot water. The winding additionally contains a red thread;

Hoses for connecting hot or cold water

cold and hot water (there are red and blue threads in the universal hose winding);

Hose suitable for connecting both cold and hot water

1. passing water temperature. This indicator is taken into account only when choosing a reinforced eyeliner. Depending on the material used to wrap the hose, the maximum liquid temperature also varies:
   • aluminum is able to withstand temperatures up to 80ºС. Therefore, such a hose can only be used for cold water;
   • The stainless steel braid is designed for water with a maximum temperature of 95ºC. Such a hose can be used to connect cold or hot water, since the temperature of hot water in the pipes does not exceed the specified indicator;
   • nylon braid withstands water temperatures up to 110ºС and can be used not only for connecting hot water, but also for wiring the heating system;
   • the eyeliner, the winding of which is galvanized wire, is intended only for cold water, the temperature of which does not exceed 50ºС;

1. system pressure.If everything is clear with the water temperature, then it is very difficult to determine the working pressure in the pipeline on your own. To do this, you need to connect a pressure gauge to the passing pipe, which determines the indicator of interest.

Determination of system pressure

If it is not possible to determine the water pressure in the system, then you can use the average indicators to select the liner:

• in a centralized water supply system, the pressure is 4 atmospheres;
• in centralized heating systems - from 2 to 4 atmospheres;
• in heating systems with forced circulation of water - up to 3 atmospheres.

In this case, the maximum supply pressure is:

• with aluminum winding - 5 atm.;
• with stainless braid - 10 atm.;
• with nylon winding - 20 atm.;
• with a galvanized wire braid - 3 atm.

If the pressure in the system is not measured, and average indicators are used to select the liner, then it is recommended to purchase a hose that has a safety margin of 15% - 20% for this indicator.

flexible hose dimensions

When determining the overall dimensions, it is important to determine the length of the hose and its diameter. Hoses are available in different diameters.

Flexible connections for connecting various plumbing equipment

You can independently determine the appropriate parameter, based on the water consumption of plumbing equipment. It looks like this:

• for a toilet bowl, the minimum diameter of the eyeliner is 8 mm;
• sink, washbasin, sink and shower are connected with hoses with a minimum diameter of 10 mm;
• to connect the bath you will need a hose with a diameter of 15 mm.

The length of the flexible water supply is determined by the distance between the outlet of the water supply pipe and the plumbing fixtures.

The length of the hose is optimal if no tension or additional bends occur when connecting the device.

Rules for connecting a wrong eyeliner

1. thread sizes. The diameter and pitch of the thread on the hose must fully match the corresponding parameters on the fitting and plumbing fixtures. If a mismatch is found, an additional adapter installation will be required.

Special adapter for threaded connection

Professional advice on choosing a water liner is presented in the video.

If you strictly adhere to the above rules for choosing a flexible hose, then the procedure for acquiring the appropriate hose will not be a problem even for a novice master.

How to choose the diameter of a flexible eyeliner, taking into account its type

Flexible water supply consists of rubber hoses in a metal or nylon sheath and a bellows connection. The flexible water inlet has two ferrules (one for each end of the hose) that provide the ability to connect on a nipple-nipple, nut-nut and nipple-nut principle to pipes with a diameter of 1, 1/2, 3/4 and 3/8 inches. The inner diameter of the flexible hose affects the capacity of the hose.

A flexible hose in a metal or nylon braid is a hose made of ethylene-propylene rubber (non-toxic rubber) braided on the outside with stainless steel or nylon thread. This braid protects the hose from water hammer and increases its mechanical resistance.

The material used in the production of flexible hoses is safe for health (non-toxic), therefore it is often used in drinking water supply systems. This eyeliner is resistant to high temperatures up to +95 degrees Celsius. These characteristics allow it to be used in heating systems and in hot water supply.

The high mechanical resistance of the flexible hose allows it to withstand hydraulic shocks (working water pressure up to 20 atm). Depending on the required water flow, the diameter of the flexible piping (flow area) can be different. In water supply systems, an eyeliner with an internal diameter of 8 mm is most often used. The blue thread in the braid indicates the possibility of its use in cold water supply systems, and the red one - hot.

The stainless steel sleeve provides a secure connection between the metal-braided hose and the nickel-plated brass sleeve. For a more convenient installation of this type of connection, there are two types of fittings equipped with gaskets for a tight connection: a threaded fitting (for reliable connection with an internal thread on the connected equipment) or union nuts (for connecting to a pipe with an external thread). By implementing installation of flexible pipes in a metal winding, it is recommended to use hoses no longer than 2.5 m. The service life is no more than 5 years.

When purchasing a flexible eyeliner, you must carefully examine the products. The presence of dents, bulges and other flaws on the nut and winding is not allowed. Braid threads must be even, without protrusions, etc. The fitting elements must be aligned with the hose. The sealing gasket must not be wrinkled and detached. Defects on the decorative coating are also unacceptable. When choosing a product, ask for a product passport and specify the warranty period.If possible, purchase eyeliner only from authorized dealers.

Bellows eyeliner - a sleeve (hose) made of stainless steel in the form of a corrugation. For the production of this type of eyeliner, a stainless steel tape is twisted into a tube and welded with a laser beam along its entire length, and then compressed into a corrugation. Rolled sleeves are welded to the bushing. The service life of such an eyeliner is higher than that of a hose in a metal winding, and can be up to 25 years. Due to the corrugated structure, the bellows liner is able to withstand large pressure drops, water hammer and absorb thermal expansion (it is able to maintain its properties in the temperature range from -50 °C to + 250 °C).

During operation, microcracks form on the metal from variable pressure, which contributes to destruction. Under extreme conditions, a protected version is used - a bellows eyeliner in a metal braid. It is easy to install, has excellent flexibility and does not disturb the flow area (at least 11 bends per point).

In addition to the advantages, the bellows eyeliner also has disadvantages. With the simultaneous use of plumbing in the bathroom and in the kitchen, vibration and buzz of the corrugated hose are heard, which increase with increasing water pressure. For this reason, it is recommended to select a flexible liner with a larger diameter. For high water consumption, it is recommended to use a 3/4" flexible hose diameter. Another way to combat vibration and hum is to use a plastic-coated bellows, which also protects the bellows from damage.

Read the material on the topic: How to choose a flexible eyeliner