Should you replace or try and repair your silicone hose?

Across industries, people choose silicone hoses over traditional rubber hoses because of their performance. And while silicone hoses are more of an upfront investment, over time, they can save you money on replacement costs because rubber just can’t meet your high demands.

But, what happens if your silicone hose products become damaged? Do you have to toss them out and order new ones?

At Flex Technologies, our silicone hoses are custom made in-house for a fit tailored to exactly what you need. Learn more about how to repair silicone hoses in today’s post.

Repairing Silicone Hoses

If your silicone hose gets damaged, in some instances you can repair it. Flex Technologies is about preserving what you can and not wasting or throwing away silicone — it’s important to be conscious of our environment and foster sustainability.

With that said, let’s address repairing your silicone hose. You can repair silicone if there is no major damage, meaning if you have slices or pinholes, they need to be superficial and have avoided puncturing completely through the hose — if there is a puncture that penetrates one whole side of the silicone, you’re better off replacing it.

If, however, the puncture is shallow, it can easily be fixed. It’s also important to keep in mind that you’re aiming to fix a small section of the silicone — if you have multiple punctures throughout, the best course of action is replacing it.

How does silicone get damaged?

Silicone is the premier material for hoses across many industries and it typically is damaged as a result of user error and not in and of the material itself. Every industry will have its stories, but most commonly silicone hoses get punctures or small slices from continuous abrasion — many times it will rub on a sharp piece of material — either against other machinery or in the mechanical in cars, trucks, etc..

The persistent rubbing weakens the silicone and it begins to show signs of wear and tear. It’s critical to identify these sharp areas either under your hood or in production, so you can mitigate this issue and prevent further damage. At the end of the day, you want to make sure the components surrounding the silicone hoses are flat, dull, and without any sharp points.

Fixing Silicone Hoses

If you have a car or use silicone hoses in your industry and notice splices or cuts in your silicone and it doesn’t leak, you can begin repairing it.

Begin by filling the hole or slit with a silicone gel or epoxy putting. Use a similar technique as you would filling a hole in your wall — you want it to be flush with the surface, while making sure everything is filled and not spilling over.

Once that dries, taughtly wrap the area in silicone tape and that’s it! The silicone tape functions very similarly to the properties of the silicone hose itself and can withstand extreme temperatures, remain flexible, waterproof, insulative, and resistant to UV, oil, salt, and chemicals. Additionally, the silicone tape is residue-free and you can easily remove it if need be.

How long will the silicone hose last now that it’s been repaired?

Depending on your situation, repairing a silicone hose can be a quick fix until you’re able to replace the hose or, on minor damage, make a repair that lasts the lifetime of the silicone hose.

Repairing a silicone hose is very doable and keeps you from having to replace it, which is both good for your wallet and the environment.

Flex Technologies Retails Silicone Hoses

Should you find yourself in need of a new silicone hose or want to begin to invest in a material that lasts, Flex Technologies has you covered!

Connect with us today to get to find the perfect silicone hose product for you!