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Rubber hoses and industrial hoses need proper care and maintenance in order to last a long time. While any hose will deteriorate over time, there are certain environmental factors that can contribute to this deterioration. Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that you have a long service life from your hydraulic or industrial hose:
 
Storage temperature
 
Your supplier or a technical consultant specialising in hoses will be able to advise you on the recommended temperature limits for your specific hose. It is important to make sure that you do not store the hose in an area that exceeds these temperature limits. Rain or excessive humidity can damage your hose, which is why you need to store it in a place that is cool and dry. Make sure that the temperature within the storage unit or workshop does not exceed 38°C.
 
Insects and rodents
 
Insects and rodents can wreak havoc on your rubber hose or industrial hose. Make sure that there are no insects and rodents in the areas where you use or store your hose.
 
Heaters and electrical equipment
 
Do not use or store the hose near heaters or other electrical equipment as this can damage the hose.
 
Fumes, radioactivity, oils and solvents
 
Your hose is sensitive to both natural and man-made environmental factors. Make sure that it is kept away from radioactive areas as well as areas that contain fumes, oils and solvents.

Corrosion Resistance
Escalating deterioration of water pipelines due to corrosion in old iron pipes threatens our ability to provide safe drinking water and is a complicated and costly problem across many regions of the world, including Australia.
PVC pipes are invulnerable to underground external corrosion as well as internal pipe corrosion. So while certain pipe manufacturers continue to explore “solutions” to corrosion – because their materials are affected by it - PVC remains indisputably resistant to it.
Corrosion in old technology pipes is also the number one reason for burst water mains – a problem that plagues most Councils across Australia. Not a day goes by that the morning radio doesn’t announce traffic diversions and road closures in place as a result of burst water mains and their impact on the surrounding area.  Last year even saw the report of sinkholes developing from burst water mains swallowing cars and property.
PVC pipe has been proven to have the lowest pipe break rate when compared to cast iron, ductile iron, concrete, steel and asbestos cement pipes.
 
Chemical resistance
PVC pipes exhibit excellent resistance to a wide range of chemical reagents and disinfectant chemicals.
With low risk of materials eating through the pipe, PVC pipes are highly suitable for most water infrastructure projects as they can convey most strong acids, alkalis and aqueous solutions (except those which are strongly oxidising), aliphatic hydrocarbons, fluorides, photographic and plating solutions, brine, mineral oils, fats and alcohols.
 
Reduced Failures and Blockages in Wastewater Pipelines
A major concern within any pipeline system is pipe blockages, a costly and complicated problem that can cause untold damage and hours of repairs.
Slow flowing water through a pipeline creates more opportunity for potential blockages and failures in a system with many connections.
The extremely smooth lining of PVC pipe - when compared to a copper, clay or concrete pipe - reduces water flow resistance and ensures that water reaches its intended destination with proper pressure.
 
PVC piping allows water to flow freely and maximises water pressure. The increase flow of PVC pipes also prevents build up in sewage and waste water systems.
 
Smooth bore allows high flow rates for water transfer
PVC pipes should be considered for water supply pipeline projects because they outperform alternative materials in performance and cost effectiveness. Their smooth bore allows high flow rates, reducing the potential for blockage and failures.
 
PVC pipes have a proven track record of excellent long-term performance and offer extended, trouble free service life.
 
Leak free joints
PVC pipe’s ultra-smooth surface reduces pumping costs and its leak-free joints eliminate water loss – which can be up to 40 per cent in some old-technology and corrosion-prone piping networks.
 
Elastomeric seals allow PVC pipes to be quickly and easily joined, without the need for electricity or protection from the weather.
 
Long service life
PVC Pipes have a proven performance record showing the life expectancy.
 
Lower cost
PVC pipes offer significant cost savings for projects, even more so when installation, low breakage rates and life cycle costs are taken into consideration. The longevity of PVC pipes also means the pipes function more efficiently, reducing maintenance and ongoing work to the pipe making it more affordable over time.
 
These lower material costs are coupled with lower installation costs because of increased productivity, the product's low weight and cheaper transportation expenses.
 
PVC Pipes - Best pipeline choice for pipe under load
PVC pipes are extremely flexible and can flex without breaking when loaded externally from soil weight and heavy duty traffic. Rigid pipes, such as those made of concrete, clay or ceramic are unable to flex when loaded and will experience wall crushing and collapse when their load limit is reached.
 
When a PVC pipe encounters external loading, its diameter will begin to deflect. If the pipe is buried in the right supportive soil conditions, the stiffness of the soil combined with the pipe stiffness will resist the deflection.  Download report here
 
Tree Root Intrusion Resistance
Some pipe materials are more resistant to root intrusion than others. PVC pipe is more resistant to root intrusion because it has fewer joints. Because of their flexibility, the tightly fitting PVC joints are less likely to leak as a result of settlement of backfill aroun

There are many factors to be considered when choosing the right type of hose for your application.  There are many different types of hose available on the market. They include metal, rubber, composite, PTFE and fabric. The decision of which hose type to buy depends on the application for which the hose is being used.
 
Metal hose is ideal for absorbing vibration, misalignment correction, thermal expansion or contraction of piping systems, and protecting equipment from excess motion.  Typically, metal hose is used when no other (non-metallic) constructed hose will work.  In other words, metal hose is used as a last resort.
 
Here are some of the factors that should alert you it’s time to use metal hose:
 
 
 Extreme temperatures
If the temperature around the hose — or the material passing through it — is very hot or very cold, metal may be the only material able to hold up under extreme temperatures.
 
2. Aggressive chemicals
 
Use metal hose when working with aggressive chemicals. Stainless steel and other alloys can provide chemical and corrosion resistance. But take steps to be sure that all of your components can withstand chemical attack, whether that comes from the material being moved or the surrounding environment
 
3. What is the potential for catastrophic failure?
 
Failure in a metal hose typically comes in the form of small cracks or holes. If sudden catastrophic failure occurs, having metal hose may help mitigate the effects, as it will leak at a slower rate.
 
4. Are there permeation concerns?
 
Unlike a non-metal hose, metal hoses do now allow gases to permeate their walls. If gas containment is crucial to the operation, metal hose should be used.
 
5. Does the hose provide fire safety?
 
Non-metal hose types run the risk of melting when exposed to fire, while a metal hose will sustain its integrity against heat up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hoses are available in a wide range of materials, including stainless steel and rubber. However, there are differences between the materials that can impact whether or not they are good choices for your project. If you are in need of hoses, it is important to know the strengths and weaknesses of stainless steel and rubber hoses so you can make an informed decision.
 
Stainless Steel Hoses
 
Stainless steel hoses have a number of advantages that make them a good choice for various applications. For instance, stainless steel hoses tend to be lighter than other materials. They are also highly durable.
 
In addition to those benefits, stainless steel hoses also are more cost-efficient and have high resistance. If you are working with chemicals, the hoses are usually compatible with them. Stainless steel hoses typically are constructed with a smaller outside diameter, which makes them more space efficient than some other types of hoses.
 
However, there are some downsides to stainless steel hoses. The hoses are not as flexible as other materials and also do not handle high vibration applications well. If the hoses are exposed to moisture, such as salt water, they can start to corrode. Corrosion can be avoided though by having the hoses specially treated.
 
Rubber Hoses
 
Rubber hoses also have many advantages including the fact that they are easier to replace. If you are in the field and need to quick change the hose, the time to do so is considerably less than stainless steel hoses.
 
Rubber hoses also are more flexible and tend to handle high vibration applications much better than other materials. If you need to run the hose around several obstacles, the hose is capable of being maneuvered through different angles.
 
Rubber hoses tend to come in a range of sizes also. Regardless of the project, you should be able to find a hose to fit your needs.
 
There are some disadvantages to a rubber hose though. Rubber hoses do not offer the same space efficiency as the stainless steel hoses do. They also do not handle high pressure situations as well as other materials, including stainless steel hoses.
 
Over time, the hoses age and need to be replaced. Depending on the application in which they are being used, you could end up replacing them more than other types of materials.