Replacing shower hose

springdove

Hi everyone - I am a DIY novice, so pls excuse me if I am asking a silly question.  
We have an Aqua Lisa shower provided by our builder when we purchased our new build property 7 years ago.  In one of the en-suites, we have a leaking shower hose.  I've realised there's some sort of a hole in the shower hose, so that when we're using the shower, water drips down the outside of the hose.  I want to replace the hose itself, and I've realised I can do it myself - the hose comes off without any tools at either end (i.e. the end connected to the mixer and the other end connected to the shower head).  However, as I checked online which shower hose to buy, I'm a bit confused about the sizes mentioned.  The length seems easy to decide - for me, a 1.25 - 1.5m hose should be plenty.  However, my hose appears to have a diameter of roughly 2 cms. 

Any idea where to buy / which size to choose as to the "bore size"? 

I would appreciate any and all advice.  Thank you in advance! 

Ayr_Rage

Screwfix, ToolStation or even B&M !

https://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/addis-replacement-shower-hose-352761

The Aqualisa hoses seem to be extortionately expensive on their website.

Just take off one end, slide back the connector and measure the bore.

FreeBear

Pretty sure the hoses have a standard 1/2" (about 18mm diameter over the threads) fitting at either end - Take the shower head with you when shopping for a hose. Screwfix & Toolstation have pretty good return policies if the hose doesn't fit. Get a 10mm bore hose. or even an 11mm one.

ThisIsWeird

Hi.

The vast vast majority - possibly even all - of shower hoses have standard threaded end fittings, so they'll all 'fit' the shower mixer and the handset. 

They do, tho', vary in quality, bore diameter, shape of end collars, and even some features such as being able to rotate the handset end - and that last one is more wonderful than you can imagine, as it gets rid of twisted hoses!

The outer hose diameter that you referred to isn't all that important, but slightly larger ones can have a feel of better quality, but that's a personal thing. 

The inner 'bore' size is the figure often referred to in the specification, usually 8mm, 10mm or 11mm. You cannot tell this by looking at the hose (which will always be around 2cm like yours) as it refers to a rubber hose inside the outer skin. This inner bore only makes a difference if you are on a 'gravity' or 'vented' system, ie with a cold water tank in the loft; for these you'll need at least 10mm. If you have a combi or unvented hot tank, then any bore size will do - so ignore that bit.

But the main thing to look at is the shape of the end collars. Some are similar at both ends, and others will have a much larger and nicely tapered collar which is designed to slip neatly into the handset holder.

Could you take a side-on photo of the handset end of your hose? And what type of boiler system do you have?

springdove

Thanks for your responses.  Please see two photos for information.  

Edit:  we have a standard boiler, with a hot water cylinder near our family bathroom in a little room housing just this.  There’s nothing in the loft.  

FreeBear

Looks like standard 1/2" fittings either end to me.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

it's maybe just the washer, take it out and have a look, clean any gunge, even just flipping over might reseat better.

springdove

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

it's maybe just the washer, take it out and have a look, clean any gunge, even just flipping over might reseat better.

Thanks - yes, I can see water spraying out of a tiny hole in the hose - so I am confident it's not the washer sadly.  

springdove

FreeBear said:

Looks like standard 1/2" fittings either end to me.

Thanks - so does this mean I can buy anything from say Screwfix?  They have a shop local to me, and so I was thinking about going there. 

FreeBear

springdove said:

FreeBear said:

Looks like standard 1/2" fittings either end to me.

Thanks - so does this mean I can buy anything from say Screwfix?  They have a shop local to me, and so I was thinking about going there. 

Yup. The local Screwfix might have one on the shelf (go for a 10mm bore hose). Take the shower head with you to check that it screws on (it should do). You'll have to wait until tomorrow though.

ThisIsWeird

springdove said:

Thanks - so does this mean I can buy anything from say Screwfix?  They have a shop local to me, and so I was thinking about going there. 

Yes. I've just had a wee look - they have three pages of shower hoses!

https://www.screwfix.com/c/bathrooms-kitchens/shower-hoses/cat820280?cm_sp=managedredirect-_-bathrooms-_-showerhoses

From what you say - no tank in the loft - you have an unvented hot tank which is driven by your mains pressure, so it should be pretty powerful? That's referred to as a 'high pressure' system. In which case any hose will 'do' and should work fine.

But, the advice from t'Bear to go for 10mm is a good one as it should absolutely guarantee no reduction in flow (remember, this diameter cannot be seen - it's the rubber hose inside the pretty outer one).

Get the same length if you are happy with what you have, or go longer or shorter if you wish - it doesn't make any difference to how it works.

But - your current hose has nice 'ends'. The important one is the handset end as it needs to fit snugly in your holder without wobbling, so I'd shortlist a few on the page I linked to that has a similar shape, and take yer ol' 'ose with you to compare with them; they are usually super-helpful at SF.

Apart from that, fill your boots.

(If you pass a Lidl on the way, have a quick look as they had handset/hose sets there the last time I looked, and they have been decent quality.)