Flexible hoses should ideally be replaced on a schedule, not only when they fail. Waiting until they burst means you usually discover the problem during a mini flood. These hoses are often made of rubber or braided materials that weaken with age, pressure and mineral content in the water.

A safe rule many homeowners follow is to replace them every 5–7 years, or sooner if you see signs of wear: bulging, rust on the braid, cracks, or damp spots near the connections. If you’re moving into a home and don’t know how old they are, replacing them proactively is not a bad idea. They’re relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of water damage.

Think of them like car tyres or wiper blades: they do a simple job, but failure at the wrong time is a big headache. A few planned replacements now and then are far better than cleaning up a soaked cabinet at midnight.