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Shower Hoses

Shower hoses and replacement shower hoses in every common UK bore size. Hoses split, kink, perish at the connectors and block up with limescale. Replacing the hose is a five-minute job once you have the right bore, length and thread combination. Our range covers standard 8mm and 11mm bores, large-bore 12mm and 13mm fittings, pull-out hoses, and brand-specific hoses for Mira, Aqualisa, Hansgrohe, Ideal Standard, Burlington, and Dornbracht.

SHOWER HOSES | BUYING GUIDE

Shower Hose Bore Sizes at a Glance

Bore is the internal diameter of the hose. It dictates flow rate and also has to match the connector thread at each end. The wrong bore is the single most common reason for a return on a shower hose.

Bore	Typical use	Common fit
8mm	Lower-flow electric showers	Older Galaxy, basic Triton ranges
10mm	Standard domestic mixer hose	Many mid-market mixer showers
11mm	Higher-flow mixer hose	Mira, Ideal Standard, Bristan
12mm (large bore)	High pressure, rainfall sets	Hansgrohe, Grohe, modern rainfall mixers
13mm (large bore)	Higher-flow and pull-out hoses	Lefroy Brooks, Burlington, Dornbracht

If the old hose is split, compare the bore visually or by internal-diameter measurement. If it is intact, check the packaging or the brand's documentation, or bring it to the trade counter for matching. See the wider shower spares range for valve and handset parts often replaced alongside the hose.

Connector Threads and Hose Lengths

UK shower hoses typically have a 1/2 inch BSP female thread at both ends, known as a conical seat. The valve end screws onto the outlet of your mixer or pump, and the handset end screws onto the back of the handset.

Some brands use a larger 3/4 inch connection on the valve end, particularly on higher-flow or older rainfall sets. Check by measuring the thread diameter with a ruler across the face of the connection. Metric threads are rare on UK showers, but imported Hansgrohe and Grohe hoses occasionally use them.

Standard lengths are 1.25m, 1.5m, 1.75m and 2m. Longer hoses suit tall bathers or installations where the valve is far from the handset, and shorter hoses suit shower columns and riser rails. Thread mismatches can often be resolved with an adapter, so if the old hose is the wrong end size for a new handset, browse shower hose connectors before buying a different hose. For the handset itself, see our shower heads range, or shower slide rail kits if the rail is also worn.

Symptoms That Mean It Is Time to Replace

Water drips along the length of the hose

Not just at the connectors. The outer braid has failed and the hose is leaking internally. Replacement is the only fix; no patch holds against shower pressure.
Leaks at the connector when the handset is held up

Usually a washer issue, not a failed hose. Check shower hose washers first before replacing the hose.
The hose kinks and stays bent

Internal damage has compressed the bore. Flow will be permanently reduced even if you straighten it by hand.
Handset end unscrews itself or will not stay on

Thread wear inside the nut is the cause. A new hose is cheaper than a handset swap.
White residue on the outside of the hose

Limescale is wicking through the braid, a sign the hose has been leaking internally for a while. Common in hard-water areas.

Not Sure Which Shower Hose You Need?

Tell us the brand, the bore if you know it, or send a photo of the connector ends. We will confirm the right hose before you order.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What size shower hose do I need?

Match the bore to your existing hose. Standard UK mixer showers use 10mm or 11mm bore. Higher-flow or rainfall mixers use 12mm or 13mm large-bore hoses. Basic electric showers typically use 8mm. If the old hose is split, measure the internal diameter of the cut end; if it is intact, compare it side-by-side to a replacement or bring it to our trade counter for matching.

Are all shower hoses interchangeable?

No. The bore has to match the flow rating of the valve, and the threads at both ends have to match the valve outlet and the handset. Most UK hoses are 1/2 inch BSP at both ends, but some higher-flow and imported showers use 3/4 inch or metric threads. Always check bore and thread before assuming an off-the-shelf hose will fit.

What is the difference between standard and large-bore shower hoses?

Standard hoses have an internal diameter of 8mm to 11mm and suit most UK mixer and electric showers. Large-bore hoses at 12mm or 13mm are built for high-pressure and rainfall installations where more water has to pass through the handset. Fitting a standard hose to a high-flow valve chokes the flow; fitting a large-bore hose to a low-flow shower is harmless but wider than needed.

How long does a shower hose last?

Typical service life is five to eight years, shorter in hard-water areas where limescale builds up inside the braid. Signs the end is near are staining along the outside of the hose, stiffness that stops it coiling smoothly, and weeping at the connectors that will not stop with a new washer.

Can I use a longer or shorter shower hose?

Yes, within reason. Standard lengths are 1.25m, 1.5m, 1.75m and 2m. A longer hose is useful when the valve is fitted high up or when you need extra reach, and a shorter hose suits riser rails and shower columns where excess hose coils awkwardly. Extreme lengths over 2m can reduce flow pressure, particularly on gravity-fed systems.

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