Replacing hot water meters

When it becomes necessary to replace or check hot water meters, this can be done independently. It is enough to have minimal skills with the tool. However, it is required to deal with legal subtleties, otherwise there is a chance to waste money and time.

Water meter replacement need

Now individual meters for hot and cold water placed in almost every apartment and in many houses. In large cities of Russia, the law establishes the need to install devices on the entire apartment building and for individual accounting of each consumer. Like any device, over time, the counters wear out, the accuracy of their readings decreases. Therefore, it is periodically necessary to check the operation of metering devices and replace them after the end of their useful life.

From 2004 to 2013, a decree on payments for water and heat was in force in Moscow. According to him

verification should have been produced by accredited companies. The frequency of verification of cold water meters was 5 years, and hot - 4 years. This decision was canceled due to numerous complaints to the prosecutor. However, only clear deadlines for verification were canceled, the need for expertise remained. Now it is carried out according to the interval indicated in the data sheet of the device. There is a state register of measuring instruments in which you can find the lost data sheet for the device. In most cases, verification of the counters is carried out with the same frequency as before.

The cost of checking the meters is from 1 to 2 thousand rubles, which is comparable to the purchase and installation price of a new device. Legislatively, the life of water meters is not limited, it can work as long as it gives the correct readings.

If there is a suspicion that the water meter readings are erroneous, then it is necessary to carry out the procedure established by law. It is required to contact the organization that supplies the water. The organization checks the compliance of the data provided by the owner of the house and apartment, and the estimated expense. If the water flow is different, then the organization has the right to initiate verification of the data provided and the metering devices themselves.

The organization with which the water supply agreement is concluded draws up an act and notifies the owner of the property about it. By agreement of both parties, verification of the correctness of the meter readings is performed. If the error does not exceed permissible according to the data sheet, then the device is allowed to be used in the future. The date of verification is recorded in the documents.

Thus, the legislative replacement of hot or cold water meters is required only when the device does not fulfill its functions. Erroneous readings of the device should be confirmed in the presence of its owner and representative of the organization providing water supply. However, taking into account that the device is calibrated after its dismantling, then installation of new water meters can be more profitable, especially with prolonged use of meters.

Reasons for failure of meters

Cold and hot water meters can become unusable for the following reasons:

• Poor water quality. Water passing through the meter rotates the impeller. The mechanism converts the rotation of the impeller into the rotation of the wheels with numbers from which readings are read. If a foreign object enters the rotating assembly, then breakage is possible. Also, precipitation accumulates on the counter elements, which interfere with the free rotation of the impeller. To increase the service life, water filters are equipped with coarse filters. However, if the filter is not cleaned in a timely manner, the impurities accumulated in it fall into the water supply.
• Mechanical damage. The counter is a fragile device, and a strong blow can lead to its failure. Repair work should be carried out carefully near the water meters.
• Unauthorized interference. Some property owners make various manipulations with the counters, trying to achieve a change in the readings in the direction of reduction. For this, magnets are installed, a line with beads is placed, and needles are inserted into the slots. As a result of these actions, the counter may break. In addition, if it is proved that manipulations have been carried out with the aim of deceiving the water supplier, the owner of the device will face a heavy fine.

Hot water meter replacement sequence

First you need to call a representative of the organization providing water supply. In his presence, an act is drawn up on the replacement of water meters. The document indicates that the seals have been saved and the device has been dismantled.

For dismantling with a shut-off valve, the flow of water into the system is blocked. If it is not, then you will have to shut off water for several consumers. In this case, it is recommended to immediately install the valve so that a similar situation does not happen again. But when installing the valve, the complexity of the work increases significantly - there is a need for pipe cutting.

Using a wrench or adjustable wrench, unscrew the two nuts securing the device to the pipe.

Nuts are made of brass and they are not subject to corrosion. However, they can jam, and unscrewing them will require considerable effort. It is necessary to carefully turn the nuts - brass is a soft material, and "licking" the edges is easy. If the nuts do not turn, then first it is better to use the WD-40 aerosol or its analogues. If after that it was not possible to unscrew the nuts or the edges fell off, then the water meter will have to be dismantled by welding or a circular saw. Most likely, for such work will have to call specialists.

Having dismantled the counter, clean the surface of the pipes and check the condition of the gaskets. If the dismantled device is submitted for inspection, then a straight pipe is installed instead. Connectors may be required for installation. If the meter is being replaced, the new device is placed strictly in place. In the joints between the elements are gaskets made of rubber or silicone. Threaded connections are sealed with a thin white sealing tape. Upon contact with water, it swells and fills the gaps.

Please note that it is allowed to install only devices that have been registered by state authorities. A list of acceptable devices can be obtained from the organization that supplies the water.

After installing the counter, the nuts are tightened. Both nuts should be baited and tightened in turn. Then the water is turned on and the absence of leaks at the joints is checked. To eliminate them, tighten the nuts or additionally tighten the sealing tape. Due to the swelling of the tape, it can eliminate even significant leaks, so do not worry that an unnoticed leak will remain.

With an independent replacement, registration will also have to be done by yourself. To accomplish this, it is required to obtain an act of work performed and an act of acceptance of the device into operation. To obtain these acts, a data sheet is required, which is included with the device, and an act of testing its operation. If everything is fine, then the representative of the organization will put seals on the device, and it will be suitable for operation.

Replacement of meters by a management company

When there is no desire or opportunity to replace the cold or hot water meters, you can contact the organization. For this purpose, an application is written to the management or service company. If the services are offered by a third-party organization, then you should check with her for a license for this type of activity. Otherwise, it will be necessary to replace the devices again. The specialist must provide a contract and an estimate of the work and equipment. Masters often offer to purchase meters from them, however, you should check the price of them. The cost of the device from a dealer or manufacturer can be significantly lower.

The duration of the work on replacing the meters varies significantly depending on the complexity of the work. If the water supply is in good condition and there is an individual valve, then the master can handle it in half an hour. Welding or soldering pipes will require significantly longer time, up to several days.

To register the device, the presence of a representative of the organization with which a water supply agreement is concluded is required. The representative will seal the device and draw up an act of work. Documents must be taken to the water supply organization.