Break the Leakage Problem: Using Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing in Home Renovations

1. How do corrugated stainless steel pipes eliminate water leaks?
Corrugated stainless steel pipes, with their unique structure and material, fundamentally solve these problems.
The most significant feature of corrugated stainless steel pipes is their flexibility. Like a flexible hose, they can bend and weave freely through walls and floors, significantly reducing the need for elbows and joints. In many cases, a single long pipe can be extended directly from its starting point to its end point without intermediate connections, eliminating potential leaks at the source.

Even when connections are necessary, corrugated stainless steel pipes offer more reliable connection methods than traditional pipes. Common connection methods are specialized crimping or threading. These methods eliminate the need for welding or hot-melt welding. Instead, specialized tools are used to tightly press the fitting into the pipe, creating a seal-like physical connection. This connection provides far greater stability and sealing than traditional pipes, and construction quality is less susceptible to human error.

Corrugated stainless steel pipes are made from food-grade stainless steel such as 304 or 316, offering exceptional corrosion resistance. Unlike galvanized pipe, it won't rust, nor will it corrode or perforate due to water quality or environmental influences over time. This not only ensures a tight seal but also fundamentally safeguards the hygienic safety of household water.

2. Specific Applications in Home Renovation
Gas Pipes: Due to its high safety, corrosion resistance, and excellent flexibility, corrugated stainless steel pipe is also widely used in household gas pipe connections, significantly reducing the risk of gas leaks.

Water Supply Systems: Corrugated stainless steel pipe is an excellent choice for both cold and hot water pipes. Its wide temperature resistance and high pressure resistance make it particularly suitable for kitchen and bathroom water supply.

Floor Heating and Heating Systems: Corrugated stainless steel pipe's excellent thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance make it an ideal choice for floor heating pipes, ensuring stable system operation while preventing leaks caused by corrosion.

3. Common Problems with Corrugated Stainless Steel Pipes
Installation and Connection Issues
Improper installation is the primary cause of problems with corrugated stainless steel pipes.

Improper Connector Selection: Corrugated stainless steel pipes from different manufacturers may require specialized connectors. Mixing or using substandard fittings can lead to loose connections and leaks.

Overtightening or loosening threaded connections: Threaded connections are a common connection method, but overtightening can damage the threads or seals, while overtightening can prevent an effective seal. The correct installation method is to use specialized tools and adhere to the manufacturer's recommended torque.

Incomplete press-fit connections: Press-fit connections require specialized tools to tightly press the fittings onto the pipe body. If the press-fit is not fully engaged, the seal may not function properly, resulting in leaks. During installation, ensure that the press-fit tool is fully engaged and that there is a visible indentation at the connection.

Pipeline Damage
Although stainless steel is durable, it can be damaged by external forces or environmental factors during installation and use.

Excessive bending or twisting: Although corrugated pipe is flexible, it has a limited bending radius. Excessive bending angles or excessive twisting during bending can damage the pipe wall, causing metal fatigue and even cracks.

Surface scratches or dents: During transportation or installation, if the surface of the corrugated pipe is scratched by sharp objects or hit by heavy objects, it may damage the protective coating and even cause the pipe wall to weaken or perforate.

Contact with pipes of different materials: If corrugated stainless steel pipe comes into direct contact with other metal pipes (such as copper or galvanized pipes), galvanic corrosion may occur in humid environments, accelerating pipe aging and damage. Insulating materials should be used to isolate the pipes.

Water Quality and Corrosion Issues
Although stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, it can still be affected by certain extreme environments.

Chloride Ion Corrosion: Stainless steel is sensitive to chloride ions (Cl-). Excessive chloride ion content in the source water, or long-term exposure to high-chloride ion concentrations (such as chlorine-containing disinfectants), can cause pitting corrosion or stress corrosion cracking.

In-Pipe Scale: Like all pipes, scale may form inside corrugated stainless steel pipes if the water hardness is high. While this does not affect the pipe structure, it will reduce the pipe diameter and reduce water flow.