The use of meters allows citizens to control water consumption in their apartments. Any device has a limited service life. Over time, the device wears out. This may cause it to display incorrect readings. There are deadlines for replacing hot and cold water meters. They are fixed at the legislative level. Consumers of services must follow the procedure for replacing water meters. It is important to first determine the cause of the device malfunction.
Reasons for replacement
Installing a new water meter is necessary when the consumer knows for sure that the old water meter is transmitting incorrect information. If a resident of an apartment suspects that the device is not working properly, he should call a representative of the resource supply organization. He will be required to verify the equipment. At the same time, he does not have to change the water meter. There is a need to dismantle the device only if it has been confirmed that it has failed.
There are established deadlines within which water meters are subject to inspection. Exceeding them may be grounds for replacing the device in your home.
The deadlines are specified in the passport for the metering device. They are also installed by device manufacturers. For cold water metering devices, service life is set within 6 years.
Water meters that control hot water consumption, according to standards, last 4 years. But these periods after their expiration do not necessarily imply replacement of devices. The requirements only relate to checking equipment for wear.
GOST 50601-93 establishes that vane water meters last an average of 12 years, and other devices - up to 20. Therefore, installing new ones is only necessary if the old ones break down or display incorrect readings.
Current reasons for replacing meters in an apartment
Hot and cold water meter
The main reason for replacing meters in an apartment is incorrect calculation of resource consumption data. A call to a specialist at the DEZ will be required if the incorrect indicators are only an assumption. Employees will be able to check the accuracy of the calculated data using special devices without the need for dismantling.
All meters have a recommended scheduled inspection period. Before the established date, you only need to check for the correctness of the data, and replacement will not be necessary if the indicators are correct. The manufacturer recommends replacing cold water appliances every 6 years, and hot water appliances every 4 years.
After the laws were changed in 2004, there was no longer a need for mandatory replacement of meters when the deadline specified by the manufacturer was reached. Today, metering devices can operate for 16 years or more.
The recommended service life is recorded in the technical passport manually, which allows the entry not to be interpreted as a regulation. The only reason why it is necessary to replace metering devices is incorrect readings due to device failure. The owner himself or the inspection authorities can provide the relevant information.
Reasons for meter failure
Factors that provoke malfunction of equipment in an apartment include external interference in its operation and poor quality water. In the first case, the device fails due to manipulations by the resident himself. The operation of the device is affected by the installation of a neodymium magnet. It is used to slow down the machine. This is how apartment residents try to illegally reduce the amount of utility bills charged to them.
Magnets eventually damage the water meter. The specialist checking it will easily determine the fact of the device’s use. The result may be fines.
The water meter is often changed due to the poor quality of the supplied resource. Debris and rust accumulate in the plumbing system, which affects the performance of the filters. Over time they wear out. Due to clogging of the filter mesh, debris, along with water flows, can enter the water meters. It disrupts the operation of device mechanisms. Meter readings become distorted. The water meter may completely fail.
Installation of water meters according to the law
Installation of water meters is carried out only legally. This procedure is regulated by legislative acts:
- rules, as well as some nuances of the use of water resources and wastewater, are approved by Government Resolution No. 776;
- the procedure and conditions for installing cold (hot) water consumption meters are regulated by Federal Law No. 261;
- tariffs and benefits for citizens who do not have water consumption meters are established by Government Decree No. 306;
- Order of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia dated 04/05/2013 N 178 states that citizens must install water consumption meters in their homes on a voluntary basis.
The installation of meters in apartments of multi-storey buildings is the responsibility of building management organizations or employees of housing and communal services.
Note! Direct installation of the meter can only be carried out by a person with the appropriate specialty and qualifications.
Before he starts work, check his documents. He must have permission to work with such equipment.
After the device takes its place, the installer is obliged to provide the homeowner with the following documentation:
- those. device passport;
- certificate of work completed, warranty card for maintenance work;
- papers on registration of the meter and its commissioning;
- meter identification code, seal number, receipt for payment for specialist services;
- a document confirming the device’s compliance with established standards (may be required during inspection).
Watch the video. Is it necessary to install water meters:
Independent replacement of the metering device
Residents are not prohibited from installing new water meters in their apartments on their own. But this decision requires agreement with management companies. Only with their approval does the tenant have the right to begin reinstalling water meters.
It is recommended to follow the following procedure for replacing water meters:
- Submit an application to the Criminal Code with a request to approve the reinstallation of water meters in the home. The reason for the replacement must be indicated.
- Wait for permission.
- Buy a new water meter. First consult with representatives of the water utility about the model of the new device.
- Remove the seals from the old device. This should only be done by a previously invited representative of the management company.
- Before installing the device, turn off the water supply. Access to water may be temporarily interrupted throughout the entire home as social service pipes may sometimes need to be manipulated.
- Unscrew the nuts holding the old device. If necessary, they are annealed with gas.
- Clean the fitting from worn-out gaskets.
- New gaskets are installed.
- Install the new water meter using nuts.
- Check the device for leaks by turning on the water. If necessary, tighten the nuts more tightly.
After installation, you need to invite a specialist from the management company to the apartment again. He must personally check the serviceability of the water meter and also install seals on it. Residents do not have the right to seal water meters themselves.
Replacing an unregistered meter
There are cases when water meters have not yet been registered. Here, the procedure for replacing water meters in an apartment is extremely simple - you just need to remove one device and install a new one in its place. Then housing department workers are called in to seal it.
After sealing, the owner receives documents, passports with stamps, and documents permitting operation. Then all the papers are transferred to the DEZ, and then to the EIRC.
When the water meter is changed by the master
Calling a specialist to install a new device is mandatory when the apartment resident himself does not have the skills to do this.
It is recommended that you contact your service provider directly to request a replacement. She will send her master to the apartment, who will perform all the necessary actions. After installing the device, the owner writes an application to the Criminal Code for its sealing. The company sends a specialist. Upon completion of the work, he must hand over the following documentation to the apartment resident:
- commissioning certificate;
- certificate for a new device;
- water meter passport;
- installation contract;
- all technical documents for the device.
Certificate of commissioning of water meters
Commissioning certificate. Page 2
Commissioning certificate. Page 3
Residents of apartments can also resort to the services of private companies. These include various repair services. When concluding a contract, it is necessary to request a license from such service providers.
In addition to a specialist from a private company, a representative of the management company must be present during installation and sealing of the device. It records the condition of the filling. If all actions are performed without the knowledge of the management company, then such a replacement will not be considered legal.
Replacement by a master
To make a replacement, you must follow the procedure:
- Submit an application to the management company to carry out work to replace the water meter. The desired date and time of visiting the specialist is also indicated here.
- The specialist draws up a work performance report, which includes information confirming the integrity of the seal and body.
- Replacement is in progress.
- An act on putting the device into operation is drawn up.
If a specialist from a third-party company was called in for installation, you will need to call a housing office employee. He must draw up an act for putting the device into operation and seal the new device. Otherwise, it will be considered illegally installed.
Replacing a registered water meter
When installing a new device instead of an old one, the procedure is identical. Water meters can be replaced only in the presence of a representative of the management company. He will also seal them. Then they draw up an act. It is necessary to remove data from the old device.
After receiving the certificate and accompanying documentation for the device, you should go to the DEZ. This body registers the meters. There, the tenant of the apartment transfers the registration certificate to the meter. It is mandatory to submit a permit to the authority, which confirms the ability of residents to operate the water meter.
After DEZ, it is necessary to send all documentation to the settlement center. Then the device will be considered registered. The removed device can no longer be used. It must be recycled.
Planned replacement of water meters
The meter is replaced in four cases:
- A malfunction of the device occurs when it is impossible or unprofitable to repair it.
- The device does not comply with the accuracy class (based on the results of scheduled verification).
- The end of the service life specified in the product passport.
- Planned replacement of meters as directed by Federal Law (there is none at the moment).
When is it planned to change water meters? Planned replacements include the last two cases. They are the ones that are planned in advance. The first two options fall into the category of sudden replacements that cannot be planned.
What to do after replacing the device
The installed water meter requires periodic maintenance. It is necessary to check the device that records the cold water flow every 6 years. Checks of hot water meters are required every 4 years. Also, immediately after installing the device, it must be sealed.
By law, outdated water meters are replaced only if they fail or provide incorrect readings. Typically, water meters wear out after 12-20 years of service.
Verification
This procedure can be planned or unscheduled. In the first case, every 6 or 4 years, depending on the type of device, the tenant of the apartment sends an application for its verification to the water utility. This institution sends a master. He can carry out the procedure both with and without dismantling the device.
You can check the water meter yourself. The tenant invites a specialist from a private organization. However, she must have a license. It is also possible to hire a private technician to check water meters. The services of such specialists are more expensive, but they solve exactly your problem.
Verification in all cases is paid. Its cost ranges from 1000 rubles. Private specialists may request a larger amount. It costs more to check water meters, during which the equipment is dismantled and then reinstalled. During subsequent installation, a water utility employee must be present. He needs to make sure that the device is in good working order. He also reinstalls previously removed seals from the water meter. After the procedure, it is recommended to make sure that all connections are in place.
An unscheduled check of water meters is usually required when malfunctions in its operation are identified. The technician can adjust the device on the spot or take it in for repair. In addition, additional manipulations can be performed with the device. The cost of such repairs will be comparable to the cost of purchasing a new device.
Based on the results of the verification, an act is formed. It is signed by the service provider and the apartment resident.
How to replace the device?
Let's see what is the procedure for replacing water meters in an apartment and how to replace it. The nuts are easily unscrewed using an adjustable wrench. But before that you need to turn off the water in the riser. Nuts usually give in easily. But if this is not the case, then it is easier to cut them off. It's useless to warm it up. The metering device is removed, and then it is important to check the cleanliness of the pipes on both sides. It is also recommended to install a new coarse filter. It is important not to forget to clean the fitting and get rid of old gaskets. New silicone or rubber ones are installed. You shouldn't use paronite ones - literally 2 years will pass and the nut will become tightly stuck. Next, install the new device in its place, replacing the gaskets in the nuts. The latter should be twisted half a turn on each side. There is no need to tighten it too much. When water gets into the system, if there are leaks, you can tighten the nuts a little.
Installed devices must be sealed. To do this, they write applications for sealing and wait for the appropriate specialist. After sealing, a corresponding certificate and permission to operate the mechanism will be issued. The specialist needs to provide a technical passport for the water meter, as well as a quality control certificate. Replacing a hot water meter with your own hands is done in a similar way. There is nothing complicated in the process of replacing a hot meter.
Replacement timing
The water meter can be in operation for the period specified in its passport. This document is issued by the manufacturer, is necessarily included with the product and reflects the permissible service life of the device. After this period has expired, the device cannot be used.
Another circumstance that needs to be paid attention to is the calibration interval. The device must undergo periodic verification, for cold water - every 6 years, for hot water - after 4 years.
Even if the standard period has expired, the water meter may be subject to further use if such a possibility is confirmed during verification.
If the device fails, it also needs to be replaced. Replacement must be carried out if necessary (in case of breakdown), before the end of the service life or calibration interval.
In case of verification, during the execution of these works, you can do without using a meter by installing a jumper. During the period while the device is being verified, payment is made based on the average for the previous six months.
The specified payment procedure when removing a water meter is maintained for a period of up to 3 months, after which you will have to pay according to the standards if the meter has not yet been installed.
There is no liability for delays in replacing the meter after the expiration of the standard service life or calibration interval. The only trouble awaiting the owner in this case is payment according to the standards if the old water meter is not replaced, since the readings of the old meter are considered unreliable.
Choosing the right device
First, let's discuss how many water meters there should be in an apartment. Many apartment owners believe that there are two - one each for cold and hot water.
If the apartment does not have hot water supply, one meter for cold water is sufficient. However, in some apartment buildings the kitchen and bathroom are located at different ends of the home, so there are two separate risers. In this case, you will have to install 4 meters - two each in the kitchen and in the bathroom (toilet).
Manufacturers have developed different apartment water meters, so there are many models on sale that differ in shape and quality. The homeowner can choose the appropriate device based on its cost or other characteristics.
Vodokanals and housing organizations should not prescribe the purchase of only certain models.
New apartments are usually put into operation with installed water meters, so new residents do not need to consider the purchase issue in the next few years.
As a rule, how much a hot water meter costs depends on the configuration. The price of simpler models is not much different from the cost of analogues for cold water. However, there are IPUs on sale with built-in temperature sensors that calculate the volume of water consumption taking into account its outlet temperature. This device saves money, but costs significantly more.
Before purchasing a new water meter, we recommend that you find out which water meter is best to install in your apartment.
