How to replace a water meter in an apartment: rules and nuances

Individual metering devices

A person who is little familiar with the terminology of public utilities may not understand the term IPU - what is it in housing and communal services. The abbreviation IPU refers to an individual metering device (meter), which records the actual consumption of cold or hot water by apartment residents.

In the absence of such devices, the amount of the monthly payment is calculated according to regional standards according to the number of registered persons per living space. Installing an IPU allows you to pay only for the volume actually consumed. For example, if a family spends the summer at the dacha, they will not have to pay water bills in the apartment.

Where to contact?

The water meter must be removed and installed in accordance with the operating rules reflected in the technical documentation.

To change the mechanism, you can contact the following structures:

• HOA or management company. These organizations have a plumber on staff who works with communications.
• Resource supply enterprises. MUP also provide services for replacing individual water meters.
• Firms engaged in the repair and installation of supply systems. Many plumbing stores provide installation work.
• Individual entrepreneurs or private craftsmen. It is recommended to contact specialists who provide a guarantee for the services provided.

You can change the water meter yourself; this process does not require a license or certificate, and doing the work yourself will save you money.

If you plan to involve specialists, then it is better to give preference to the organization that is responsible for sealing water meters.

Verification of metering devices

All utility water meters are supplied with a passport issued by the manufacturer. It indicates the period for checking the device.

Poor water quality and impurities have a detrimental effect on the accuracy of measurements. Incorrect testimony is not beneficial to either the homeowner, the housing organization, or the water utility.

The frequency of scheduled inspections of water meters is established at the legislative level - 4 years for hot water and 6 years for cold water. However, the event can be initiated earlier if there is a suspicion of a malfunction of the device and distortion of the readings.

Read more about checking water meters in the article “Frequency of checking water meters.”

Housing and communal services meters are quite complex devices, the serviceability of which is impossible to independently check. The owner of the apartment can only guess about the presence of problems if the readings begin to differ significantly from the previous ones.

Representatives of the local water utility or other organizations that have entered into an agreement with the supplier have the right to carry out inspections.

To carry out the test, the device is removed and taken to a special laboratory. During his absence, water supply is paid according to standards.

Details are contained in the material “Who should check water meters in an apartment.”

Reasons for replacing a water meter

Water meters are replaced if they malfunction, causing them to give incorrect readings. The apartment owner can immediately initiate a replacement by refusing the inspection. Firstly, checking the serviceability of the water meter in a special laboratory is a paid service. Secondly, you need to call the technician twice - to remove the meter and then to install it.

In case of replacement without verification, the entire procedure is carried out during the day with minimal expense and inconvenience.

In addition to possible malfunctions, residential water meters have their own service life, which is set by the manufacturer and indicated in the passport. The service life of Russian-made devices is 5-8 years. For imported analogues this period is much longer.

It must be admitted that the law prohibits the operation of only faulty IPUs, being silent about the deadlines for use.

When is the device required to be replaced?

Water meters must be reinstalled in the following situations:

1. Expiration date after factory or previous verification. Based on Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 354 dated 05/06/2011 (as amended on 03/27/2018), the period is calculated based on the technical documentation of the device. Domestic mechanisms for taking cold water readings change every 6 years, hot water - every 4 years.
2. Mechanical damage. Deformation of the case allows us to consider the device unsuitable for use.
3. Absence or distortion of readings. The device may break down due to poor-quality water, violation of installation rules, or due to manufacturing defects. The problem must be identified by the owner in a timely manner: if inaccurate data is discovered during the inspection, the utility service provider has the right to recalculate.
4. Damage to control seals. The device will need to be replaced if deformation of the sealed parts indicates interference with the operation of the meter.
5. Exceeding the error. Acceptable values ​​are indicated in the device passport; inconsistencies are identified during control checks.

It is possible to change the counter and, if desired, install a more modern mechanism.

Attention! If the device fails, you must immediately notify the utility service provider (call or come in person). You have 30 days to fix the problem. If dismantling is required, the organization is notified 2 days in advance.

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.

Where should old meters go?

All information is removed from the used device and entered into the appropriate documents, after which it is not necessary to store it.

The following options are possible:

• Disposal. You can hand over the mechanism to a specialized organization that services and repairs water meters. Also, the owner can get rid of the meter himself, but only subject to compliance with the norms and laws that determine safety for the environment.
• Carrying out verification. It is recommended to do this immediately before installation, because the duration of such a procedure is limited.
• Personal use. The meter can be installed inside the water supply system of a private house, where there are several branches for watering the surrounding area. The device will allow you to calculate water consumption in a certain area.

Thus, the process of replacing the IPU is not complicated, but a high-quality result is possible only if all actions are coordinated and installation is correct.

Replacement process

In order to install a new water pump, you must follow the replacement procedure. Unauthorized installation of a water meter without agreement with the water supply organization is illegal.

All individual meters in apartments are in a sealed state during the period of operation. You cannot tear them down without permission, otherwise the utility service will impose a fine on the consumer and will henceforth treat the resident with suspicion.

The procedure for first installing a water meter is described in detail in the article “How to install a water meter in an apartment.”

Who should make the replacement?

When discussing among themselves the question of who should change water meters, residents often come to the conclusion that employees of housing maintenance organizations are obliged to do this. However, according to the legislation of the Russian Federation, it is the owners who are responsible for:

• installation;
• proper operation;
• replacement of IPU in apartments.

Disagreements usually arise when it comes time to install water meters in a municipal apartment, which is officially the property of the state. It would seem that if the housing is public, the authorities should install and change water meters. However, the legislation contains a different rule in this regard.

The Civil Code of the Russian Federation obliges the tenant of social municipal housing to ensure its proper operation, which includes maintenance of appliances and devices installed in it.

The Housing Code does not yet clearly define, if a water meter breaks down in a municipal apartment, at whose expense it should be replaced. However, it mentions that the employer is obliged to perform “other actions” that are provided for by other laws and regulations of the Russian Federation.

Thus, the obligation to replace individual metering devices in apartments and private houses rests with their owners or tenants of social housing.

Self-replacement

The question of whether it is possible to change the water meter yourself usually arises among owners who know how to handle adjustable wrenches and other plumbing tools. Even if a resident has the skills of a good plumber, you should not voluntarily remove the old meter and install a new device in its place. The replacement procedure is quite simple, but the order must be followed in any case.

Before changing the water meter yourself, you should contact the local housing organization or water utility, if we are talking about a private house, and call its representative to remove the seal. His task:

• check the integrity of the seals;
• take the last readings;
• draw up an act for carrying out work to replace accounting equipment:
• Leave the tenant a copy of the act.

Only after this can you begin to replace the meter yourself. To do this, simply unscrew the two union nuts and disconnect the device from the pipeline.

The installation procedure for a new device requires observing the direction of water supply. It is indicated by an arrow on the meter body. The side indicated by the arrow should be directed towards the faucet, and the other towards the water supply riser. It is recommended to replace the sealing gaskets to prevent leakage after installation of the device.

After the installation is completed, another question arises - who can formalize the commissioning of a new device in order to make further payments according to new indications. This procedure cannot be performed independently, so you will again have to call a representative of the local housing department or water utility to draw up an act on putting the meter into operation.

Call the master

If the tenant does not have the necessary plumbing skills, the work of replacing the water meter should be entrusted to a specialist - an employee of the local housing department or some commercial organization. Employees of the housing organization are required to explain how to arrange a replacement and find a specialist in their locality.

If the work is entrusted to a representative of the housing department, it is quite possible that he will simultaneously change the meter and draw up both acts, saving the time of the owner of the premises.

Replacement of unregistered metering devices

When building new houses, developers install water meters, but do not always transfer documents for them to housing maintenance organizations or home buyers. Such meters are considered unregistered, since the owner of the apartment does not have passports for them and documents confirming the admission of the private enterprise to work.

Since the new rules do not allow registering metering devices without documents, the only right decision will be to purchase other water meters with passports. In this case, the homeowner will have the opportunity to draw up a commissioning act and register the equipment.

Replacing registered meters

Metering devices that have passports and a commissioning certificate drawn up by representatives of service organizations are considered registered. When purchasing a secondary home, you must request these documents from the previous owner.

Registered water meters are replaced due to malfunctions or the end of their service life.

Sealing the device

A tenant who decides to replace the IPU should know who seals the water meters in the apartment. The purpose of the seal is to prevent unauthorized removal of the device or the performance of any manipulations aimed at distorting its readings in favor of the consumer.

Previously, seals were made of lead and a number was placed on them using a special clamp. Now plastic analogues with individual numbers are increasingly used.

When discussing the question of who should seal water meters, it should be noted that the residents themselves are more interested in this procedure than the service organization. The latter may well charge payments according to the standards if an act for carrying out replacement work has been drawn up.

To install the seal, you must call a representative of the local housing department or water utility. It is he who must install the seal and enter its number in the act of putting the meter into operation. This service is provided to homeowners free of charge.

Registering a meter

In case of replacing individual metering devices, you should also remember what documents are needed to register water meters in the apartment. In this situation you will need:

• water meter passport;
• act on putting the IPU into operation.

Registration is carried out at a local management company or a unified cash settlement center. The owner of the residential premises in which the metering device is installed must contact them.

Only after this procedure can payments be made for new indications.

How to order a service and replace a hot water meter?

All applications are processed within one business day, after which managers will contact you to agree on a more convenient time for you.

The advantages of replacing water meters are obvious: 1. The cost of replacing old water meters and installing new ones will be much more profitable, which will allow you to save money during further operation. 2. The companies performing these works have all the certificates and permits to provide these services. 3. There is no risk of becoming deceived when using the services of unknown companies for checking meters at home. 4. You will be able to take advantage of benefits and get access to all kinds of promotions. 5. The measuring device will be replaced at a time convenient for you.

We will replace water meters inexpensively. Masters with over 10 years of experience! Prices can't be cheaper!

In accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated May 6, 2011 No. 354 “On the provision of utility services to owners and users of residential premises,” the consumer is obliged to “ensure that verifications are carried out within the time limits established by the technical documentation for the meter

.

Since the installation of water meters is now at the legislative level, almost all apartments already have water meters. But many device owners do not know that the meter must be checked. The hot water appliance must be verified after 4 years, and the cold water appliance must be verified after 6 years. But today there are many models of water meters with a calibration interval of 6 years for both cold water and hot water.

When and why is it necessary to change water meters?

Meters must be replaced after the end of their service life, on average 12 years. But you must understand that the functioning of the devices directly depends on sewer water, the low quality of which leads to problems within a specified time frame. If the meter does not work or shows incorrect readings, then it must be replaced. In this case, it will be necessary to install a new meter. If you do not replace the water meter on time, it will be considered invalid and you will be charged according to general standards.

How to replace water meters

Replacement does not take much time. about 30 minutes. The master arrives. dismantles old meters (which is indicated to you by the dismantling report with old readings, that is, those that were on your meters), installs new meters (model of your choice), issues commissioning certificates, seals water meters and that’s it. you go to the EIRC with all the documents, hand them in, and from that moment on you use completely new meters.

Instructions for the operation and maintenance of water meters

When operating water meters, the following conditions must be observed to ensure normal operation.

• Water hammer is not allowed in the pipeline.
• The maximum permissible water temperature must not be exceeded.
• The permissible pressure in the pipeline must not be exceeded.
• Strong vibration of the pipeline is not allowed.
• The meter must be filled with water.
• It is not allowed to operate meters in places where they can be immersed in water.
• Operation of meters with expired periodic verification is not allowed.
• The external surfaces of the meter must be kept clean.
• Periodically carry out an external inspection of the meter, checking for the presence of water leaks (drops) at the junction of the fittings with the meter body or with the pipeline. If a leak appears, tighten the threaded connections or replace the gasket.
• If the protective glass of the indicator device becomes dirty, it should be wiped with a damp and then a dry cloth.
• If there is a noticeable decrease in water flow, with constant pressure in the pipeline, it is necessary to clean the protective mesh of the filter installed upstream of the meter.

Take care of the passport for your metering devices; in the future, the price of replacement or verification of devices will depend on this.

Independent replacement of water meters

You have the right to replace water meters yourself, of course, only if you have the skills of a plumber, because this procedure is labor-intensive and directly related to the water supply system. Replacing meters incorrectly can lead to big troubles. But let’s take the situation as an example: if you are a plumber and performed the entire procedure yourself, you will need documents for commissioning the devices in order to register them. You can contact any specialized company and call a technician to seal the devices and issue a package of documents for commissioning the devices. Our specialists will do the job properly in 15 minutes. At your request, we can conclude a contract for the maintenance of water meters, which includes: cleaning of coarse filters, inspection of devices, taking readings and a discount on the next replacement of meters.

Replacement of water meters by our specialists

And so, you have decided on replacing the meters. What and how to do next? By contacting us to replace your water meter, you no longer need to worry about anything. Our masters will do everything themselves. They will come to you at the appointed time, replace the meter and issue you with a complete package of documents. Replacing a meter takes an average of 30 minutes; for your convenience, we work on weekends.

You can replace an already installed meter with any other model, it doesn’t matter. All meters that are presented on our website do not have any special differences, they all have a service life of 12 years and the technical characteristics are the same.

Who pays for water meter replacement?

Owners are also interested in who should pay for the meters: residents or the management company. As mentioned above, the law obliges owners of residential premises to bear all costs of their maintenance and proper maintenance. Metering devices are part of the apartment and the property of the residents. For this reason, homeowners must pay for their replacement in full. The owner of the apartment retains the right to choose and purchase any suitable meter.

Water meters in a communal apartment must also be changed at the expense of the citizens living in it. In such premises, all residents share one bathroom and kitchen. Consequently, metering devices are also common, so residents of communal apartments need to independently distribute among themselves the amount of costs for purchasing and replacing water meters.

By the way, communal metering devices also periodically require replacement. The question of at whose expense the replacement of water meters is carried out in this case raises a lot of controversy.

Since such devices are the common shared property of all residents of an apartment building, they are the ones who are required to reimburse the management company for replacement costs.

Payment is made in installments over 5 years. If the residents decide, full payments to the management company can be made within a shorter period.

Payment for water meter replacement in public housing

Separately, we should discuss who installs water meters in municipal apartments and pays the costs. The owner of such housing is the state, and residents live in it under a social tenancy agreement. As mentioned above, the legislation in this case obliges residents to properly operate the premises. However, the issue of payment is usually mentioned in the social tenancy agreement.

If the social rental agreement contains a clause obliging the tenant to pay for the replacement of metering devices, then all costs are borne by the tenant.

Free installation of water meters in a municipal apartment is possible only if there is no such clause in the contract. In this case, the tenant must only notify the local municipality administration about the need to replace the metering devices in the apartment. And if the tenant has already made payment, he can submit an application for reimbursement of costs, attaching supporting documents (checks, receipts) and a copy of the act of putting the device into operation.

Thus, according to the law, it is possible to replace meters in a municipal apartment free of charge, if the local administration has not assigned this obligation to the tenant by including a corresponding clause in the contract.

In order to record the time of submission of the application, it must be drawn up in two copies and on one of them put a mark on the date of its receipt in the administration office. This will allow the employer to file a claim in court in the event of inaction by local authorities.

Preferential categories of citizens

Benefits for installing water meters are provided to the following categories of citizens:

• participants of the Great Patriotic War, home front workers and their widows;
• rehabilitated political prisoners;
• low-income families;
• disabled people of groups I and II;
• families raising a disabled child.

The authorities of some regions of Russia pay from the budget for the installation of metering devices for pensioners and large families.

Replacement procedure

Reinstallation occurs according to the instructions:

1. When you buy a new device, you must inspect the factory verification date and seal. The less time has passed since release, the better. It is recommended to choose devices with an anti-magnetic sticker. For hot water, a specialized version is purchased; for cold water, any version is suitable.

   
   The passport is considered the main document of the device, the verification date should be as close as possible to the date of replacement, in addition to the passport and the meter itself, the kit includes 2 fittings and gaskets

2. An application is submitted to the executive organization to put the mechanism into operation. It must contain all the data approved by clause 81 of RF Regulation No. 354. If the meter needs to be replaced due to its failure, then the management company, homeowners' association or municipal unitary enterprise are notified of the replacement date at least 2 working days in advance. The period can be agreed upon, but the delay should not be more than 15 days.
3. Water meters are being installed. It is important to comply with all technical nuances and rules.

   
   When assembling a new system, a check valve and a coarse filter must be installed; without them, regulatory authorities will refuse to seal the meter

4. Next, you need to invite a specialist to seal and put the device into operation, otherwise the device will not be registered. Exceptions are situations where the contractor did not arrive within the agreed time frame to register the meter.
5. After inspection and verification of data, a seal is recorded and a report is drawn up, in which information about the old and new devices, as well as information about the owner, is entered. The document is transferred to the resource supplying organization.
6. If everything is correct, the water meter number will change on the receipt.

This procedure is optimal. If the reinstallation is carried out by a representative of the supplying organization, it is enough to purchase an IPU and write an application. But in case of non-compliance with the installation rules, which was carried out independently or with the involvement of third parties, refusal to put the device into operation is permitted (clause 81(5) of the RF PP No. 354).

Cost of replacing water meters

How much it costs to change the volume meter of water consumed depends on the preferences of the owners of residential premises. Simple cold water IPUs in stores cost from 700 to 800 rubles, but the costs are not limited to the purchase of the device alone.

Many people have to use the services of a paid specialist. For example, in St. Petersburg, the average price for a plumber’s service to replace one appliance is about 600 rubles. In other cities of Russia, the range of prices fluctuates - in some places they are higher, in others they are lower.

The final cost of replacing a water meter in an apartment includes the costs of other elements of the water supply system that have become unusable due to corrosion:

• sweeps,
• pressure regulator,
• coarse filter and so on.

In this case, the apartment owner will have to pay the cost of additional parts and their installation. If they are not replaced, the risk of leaks will increase significantly and the device will soon have to be dismantled and reinstalled again.

Significance of the test

The essence of water meters is to obtain accurate information about the consumption of the resource, so that the owners of living space do not overpay for the volume that they did not use. That is why it is important to monitor the serviceability of the metering device and replace it on time.

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Cold and hot water have different effects on equipment. For example, due to chemical additives that interact with high temperatures, hot water is very aggressive in its effect on the mechanical parts of the meter. In this regard, it is necessary to check the hot water meter more often than the cold water meter. However, verification does not mean that the equipment

will have to change. It is likely that the device will simply be installed in its original place and sealed. Replacement is required when the service life expires or when it breaks down if repair does not correct the problem.

For hot water meters, inspections are carried out every four years, and for cold water meters - every six years. The service life itself is listed in the technical passport of each device; depending on the model, it can be six, twelve or eighteen years.