Silicone hoses are supple, chemical-resistant, anti-conductors, and can withstand a wide range of temperature extremes and therefore really do a great job at replacing rubber hoses. Whilst they are durable and long-lasting, there are a few things which can fail and these are mostly down to user error or lack of maintenance so we thought we would run through some issues you could come across.

Clogged hoses

You do not want your silicone hoses to clog, solidify, or get damaged in their operation. It is therefore imperative that you select the correct diameter the wrong one can render your operation ineffective. Temperatures, velocity, and pressure all change throughout production, so it’s important to factor these variables and be certain that you are you using the right diameter of silicone hose for your application.

Vibration

Although vibration is a normal part of production too much vibration can compromise the lifespan. Heavy vibration can shake loose silicone hoses from their clamps or cause them to become tangled and warped over time. If you think you are getting too much vibration then ensure that you’re inspecting it regularly for worn or loose bearings, rotating components and misalignments.

Hoses Degrading

Not all hoses are created equal. While silicone hoses have longevity they still succumb to wear and tear over their lifespan. It’s important that you choose a silicone hose that’s compatible with your industry’s requirements. There are industries that require a fluorocarbon-lined silicone hose to handle specific liquids such as oil and fuel or the food and beverage industry that needs food-grade silicone. If your hose is degrading consider whether it has been selected properly for the job it needs to do.

The sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will end in 2030 the Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said. It’s part of what he’s calling a “green industrial revolution” and he’s pledged to invest more than £2.8bn in electric vehicles. But what do these changes mean for motorists?

Does it mean I’ll have to scrap my petrol or diesel car by 2030? 

Put simply no. The ban is only on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. The average life of a car before it’s scrapped in 13.9 years, so we’re going see petrol and diesel cars bought just before the 2030 deadline will be on the road until well into the mid-2040s. What it does mean is that numbers will dwindle as car makers won’t be investing in the technology over the next decade. Petrol and diesel fuel will still be available at filling stations, but again expect pumps to gradually be replaced with chargers.

What about my classic car, will I still be able to drive it?

Unfortunately the jury is still out on this one. Some classic car experts predict that the bottom may fall out of the mainstream classic market, with classics becoming gallery pieces. While others predict a boom as petrol heads who can no longer get their fix with a new car switch to classics. But what is likely is an increase in taxes on classic cars and potentially bans from urban areas.

One of the restrictions in the very high tier areas is that you should try to avoid travelling into them other than for things like work, education or youth services, to meet caring responsibilities or if you are travelling through as part of a longer journey. We therefore wanted to inform drivers which areas of the Country are currently in the Local COVID alert level: very high.

At the time of writing this blog the areas in the very high tier were:

Liverpool City Region

• Liverpool
• Knowsley
• Wirral
• St Helens
• Sefton
• Halton

Lancashire

• Blackburn with Darwen
• Blackpool
• Burnley
• Chorley
• Fylde
• Hyndburn
• Lancaster
• Pendle
• Preston
• Ribble Valley
• Rossendale
• South Ribble
• West Lancashire
• Wyre

Greater Manchester

• Manchester
• Bolton
• Bury
• Stockport
• Tameside
• Trafford
• Wigan
• Salford
• Rochdale
• Oldham

South Yorkshire

• Barnsley
• Rotherham
• Doncaster
• Sheffield