PHIL, that is a fabulous trick with the gate valve, I have broken a few.
Rico, burst flexible pipes is a $A40 million a year problem in Australia, with the average repair cost of $A40,000.
Carpets, flooring etc.
I have seen them put inside walls!
They are usually marked replace every 5 or 10 years!
I do not know why they are allowed to be used at all.
Falcon from the USA makes unbreakable flexible stainless steel pipes.