How often do you replace your hose? And, no pun or joke intended. HAH!

I don't see any need to replace the hose unless there is a leak. Mine is now 14 months old and good as new. I rinse it out with hot water once a week and let it air dry. I keep a replacement on hand just in case.

I've had hoses last for over 3 years. Unless it gets brittle and could possibly be leaking, there is no reason to replace it.

jucs wrote:How often do you replace your hose? And, no pun or joke intended. HAH!

Given that they are so cheap i replace mine at least twice a year. The kids love the old hoses for art n crafts or costume making.

I must be a little heavy handed when removing my hose as i seem to tear or stretch the clear plastic between the coils near the rubber connector after a few months.

Some folks keep some gorilla tape and repair their leaks with that.

Insurance will replace a hose once a month. Thats overkill. If you clean your hose routinely they should last months. Reemmber that these hoses are microscopically porous. That means it may look clean but still harbor unwanted bacteria. You can mix 2 parts water and 1 part white vinager to create an acetic acid solution to soak your tubing in. Soak for approximately 1/2 hour then rinse well and let air dry. I would reccommend changing tubing every 3 months or so even using this method.

I only replace mine when their is a problem with them. I have had one that was stretched out and one that the end wouldn't not stay on a mask or the machine. Out they went into the garbage. I do however keep one spare hanging up to dry after I wash it, then in the drawer it goes so it doesn't get damages. I have one of those brushed to clean cpap hoses. I use that in the shower with Johnson's baby shampoo which makes the hose smell nice. I as others can get a new hose once a month covered by insurance, but I can only use so many and have a drawer full now.

Gerry

I was under the impression that Medicare and most insurances had gone to replacing hoses only once every 3 months. I know they used to be once a month but I thought that had changed. I get one every 6 months and when I have two to alternate every other night I change them. I guess this means I change once a year. I have washed them with the viniger/water solution but never soaked them for any length of time. I do wash with Johnsons Baby Shampoo to get the viniger smell out.

Jerry

Hi jucs,

Spare parts for apnea treatment is like having nuf gas in your car, so you can get to where your goin".

I like to have two masks, two hoses, 'n today I got a spare water chamber for my humidifier.

imho, have'n two of cpap's disposable parts works.

Jan

I hate to say this and probably shouldn't. But with all this going on with the insurance I am taking what they will give me for now and storing it away, hoping it doesn't go bad.

Gerry

Using the Aussie heated hose, I have never replaced it in almost three years---too expensive unless it breaks! But, to be honest, don't know that I'd replace a regular one very often either as long as it was in good shape.

Autopapdude wrote:I've had hoses last for over 3 years. Unless it gets brittle and could possibly be leaking, there is no reason to replace it.

Agree completely, since I'm using my original issue from ten years ago yet. They don't make 'em like they used to.

Gee, I'm still using my first 2 hoses from Aug '07; no signs of wear or leak. Just got another one with the AutoSet II.

I believe mine is about 3 years old. Has never been washed and looks clean as a whistle inside. Washing and drying a hose will likely place more contaminants in the hose than just leaving it alone. It only has filtered air and pure water vapor circulating through it and when not in use it is stored in a clean drawer.

I have wiped off the outside of the connector ends where my hand touches.

If you like to wash and dry the inside of these hoses, have fun.

rooster wrote:I believe mine is about 3 years old. Has never been washed and looks clean as a whistle inside. Washing and drying a hose will likely place more contaminants in the hose than just leaving it alone. It only has filtered air and pure water vapor circulating through it and when not in use it is stored in a clean drawer.

Wow, I feel like it's sacrilege to disagree with someone as venerable as Rooster ... (no I'm not trying to be sarcastic!)

Your statement above reminds me of the Dilbert cartoon where Wally says "When I get out of the shower, I'm the cleanest thing in my house. That towel should be getting cleaner every time it touches me. ... Should it bend?"

Not all bacteria or mold is visible. And unless you have some amazing filtration, airborne contaminants can get through (I'm sure the little puff on the intake of my S8 doesn't do more than filter the big chunks out). Also the minute you open your bottle of distilled water it starts collecting contaminants. It does take a long time to build up, but to claim the reservoir and hose never see a contaminant is just wishful thinking IMO.

Unless you live in a Class 10K clean room?

Personally I like to clean and disinfect my hose and humidifier tank about once a month (I *actually* clean and disinfect far less frequently, alas. ). I have had mold appear inside my tank after using only distilled water.

I do switch to a spare hose and give all my stuff a good washing after staying in a hotel - nasty environment that...

kennethryan wrote: .........
....... It does take a long time to build up, but to claim the reservoir and hose never see a contaminant is just wishful thinking IMO.

...

No one claimed that.

kennethryan wrote: .........
Not all bacteria or mold is visible. And unless you have some amazing filtration, airborne contaminants can get through (I'm sure the little puff on the intake of my S8 doesn't do more than filter the big chunks out). .......
...

Bacteria? Mold? Airborne contaminants? 99% of the population sleeps without CPAP and breathes these in directly. I am sure that there are much fewer of these coming from my unwashed hose in 7 hours that what I am breathing in the other 17 hours of the day.

Should I be afraid to mow the grass, fish for trout, rake the leaves, ride a horse, wash the dishes, vacuum the house, sit in the sun beside the lake, or drop the top on my girlfriend's Porsche without donning a mask connected to a sterile hose and air filter?