A client of mine woke at 2:30am to water coursing through her home. A leak had started sometime after she went to bed, and by the time she found it, the damage was already done.
Warped engineered timber floors. Damaged kitchen cabinets. An insurance claim. And a months-long rebuilding project.
What Caused It?
A flexible braided hose under her kitchen sink. You probably have several of these in your home right now — under every sink, behind plumbed appliances, and at the base of your toilet.
These hoses are standard in Australian homes, but they are also one of the leading causes of internal water damage. Water damage from plumbing leaks is the number one cause of home insurance claims in Australia, and flexible hoses are a significant contributor.
Why Speed Matters
Mould growth can begin within 24 to 48 hours of a water event, particularly in areas that are difficult to dry quickly such as subfloors, wall cavities and the back of cabinets. My client acted quickly, getting industrial dryers and dehumidifiers into her home on the same day the leak was discovered. That speed made a real difference to the outcome.
Not everyone is that fortunate, or that prepared.
What to Check in Your Home
Flexible braided hoses have a typical lifespan of five to ten years, and failure often happens without warning. A few simple checks can significantly reduce your risk.
Look under every sink and behind every plumbed appliance. Check for signs of corrosion, fraying or bulging at the connectors. If your hoses are older or you are not sure when they were last replaced, treat that as a prompt to act. Replacing them every five to seven years is a reasonable rule of thumb.
If you want to eliminate the risk more permanently, copper alternatives such as No Blows (no affiliation, just a fan of prevention) are worth considering.
A Small Investment of Time
Home maintenance rarely feels urgent until something goes wrong. But a brief check of your plumbing connections on a weekend afternoon could save you thousands of dollars, months of disruption, and the very real health consequences of a mould problem in your walls.