The owner of an apartment or house independently decides whether the installation of water meters will be done by oneself, or whether it is worth using the services of professionals. There is no legal ban on installing appliances yourself. Only a preliminary verification of the device and its sealing after installation are mandatory. Otherwise, the performance of the device will not be taken into account.
You can often find a list of situations in which the installation of water meters is beneficial or, on the contrary, not economically feasible. In particular, the following data is given: if the same number of people live in an apartment as registered, the savings in paying for water supply after installing meters will be about 20-30%.
Disadvantages include living with more people than registered, as well as an unsuccessful water supply scheme. When entering separate flows into the apartment into the kitchen and into the bathroom, it will be necessary to install four meters (two for hot water pipelines and two for cold pipes). With a separate supply of liquid to the toilet (this is also found in houses of the old layout), five counters will be needed.
By and large, all these arguments are not so significant, since their installation is mandatory, which means that this will have to be done anyway.
Counter selection
There are several options for water meters on the market. The rules for installing water meters in an apartment with your own hands do not include an exact indication of the type of devices, so the choice is up to the homeowner.
Regardless of the design and principle of operation, it is imperative to take into account the following features of the devices:
- recommended location of the meter (there are models for vertical and horizontal pipelines, as well as universal products that can be mounted in any position),
- the diameter of the connecting pipes, which must correspond to the diameter of the pipeline (the most common models are DN15),
- permissible ambient temperature (theoretically, hot water meters can be installed on cold pipelines, the main thing is that the water temperature does not exceed the permissible value, that is, models for hot water pipes should be chosen with special care.
All water meters can be divided into two categories: non-volatile and requiring a network connection. The first include the simplest and most reliable mechanical products with an impeller. When the flow passes, the blades rotate, the number of revolutions is counted.
Volatile meters can be of the following types, depending on the principle of operation:
- vortex (the device counts the vortices generated when the flow passes through a special element installed inside),
- electromagnetic to determine the flow affect the flow with electromagnetic waves (models are highly sensitive to the composition of water),
- ultrasonics use vibrations to determine flow.
If the counting mechanism is isolated from the water flow by a special partition, such models are called "dry".
Water meter "dry" type Products with non-isolated counting mechanisms are “wet”.
The procedure for installing water meters in an apartment is the same for all models.
The counter must be bought in a store, not on the market, and when purchasing, not only pay attention to the presence of a passport, but also carefully compare the number indicated in the document with the number on the counter itself. This check will allow you to make sure that you are purchasing a usable, certified instrument.
Choice of mounting location
Before you put water meters in an apartment, you need to know that the following requirements are imposed on the installation site of the meters, which are common for both private houses and apartments:
- temperature above 5°C,
- the presence of lighting (natural or with the help of lighting fixtures),
- accessibility for inspection, maintenance and repair.
In any case, the meter should be installed as close as possible to the entry point, however, for apartments, the rules are somewhat more loyal. Usually, the meter is placed in the toilet, and if the communications are inconveniently located (under the floor), installation in the bathroom is allowed.
Installation of a water meter in a private house is required no further than 20 cm from the input. If a well is arranged, its cover is equipped with locks and sealed after the meter is sealed. Opening is allowed only in exceptional cases - in case of fire or accident.
Preparing for installation
Experts who know how to install water meters in an apartment recommend first of all check the complete set of the purchased device and prepare the necessary materials and tools. First of all, the craftsmen advise purchasing gaskets (rubber for cold pipelines, paronite for hot pipelines). Plumbing tow and special sealing pastes may also be required. Alternatively, synthetic filaments already lubricated with silicone can be used.
The set of necessary tools largely depends on the type of pipes available. Please note that you will have to cut a certain area, so you will need a hacksaw for metal or an appropriate tool for plastic.
- If the pipes are metal, to install the assembled unit (meter with additional devices), it is necessary to cut the thread (stock up on the necessary tools).
- If communications are made of plastic (polypropylene) - purchase connecting fittings, scissors for cutting plastic pipes and a special soldering iron.
To tighten the connections, you can use adjustable or box wrenches of the appropriate diameter, it is only important not to be overly zealous and not to “tighten” the threaded connections.
Checking the completeness of the meter, you can decompose all the elements on a flat surface in the direction of the water flow:
Important: When laying out the elements of the future meter block, pay attention to the arrows indicating the direction of the water. They should all point in the same direction.
Before starting installation, you will need to turn off the water supply. In a multi-storey building, you will have to turn off the entire riser, which can only be done by the forces of utility workers.
Sequence of work
1. Do-it-yourself water meter installation begins with the so-called dry assembly. When assembling the “draft” circuit, the turns are counted and it is noted on which of the turns the element of the circuit takes the necessary position. After that, all connections are disassembled and reassembled using winding, plumbing grease and gaskets. At this time, it is important to ensure the necessary position for each element.
When this “chain” is placed horizontally, they “look” up:
- faucet or valve handle,
- dial (numerical panel) of the counter.
Downward turn:
- impeller,
- filter sump (in this position it is easy to clean).
2. The second stage is cutting out a section of the pipeline for the installation of the system. The scheme for installing a water meter in an apartment requires an exact match of the parameters, therefore it is important to measure the length of the assembled sequence with a minimum error and mark the corresponding distance on the existing communications. Before cutting a section of the pipeline, a basin or pan should be placed to drain the liquid remaining in the system.
3. Installation of the assembled block on a metal pipeline will require threading at the cut points. It is easier to work with plastic pipes - in this case, it is enough to use special fittings.
When conducting independent installation of water meters, it will also be important to know where to go for this and what is the cost of the procedure.
About siphons for the kitchen, their types and installation, read
An overview of water filters can be found at this address. And reviews of the owners can help with the choice.
Installation quality check
To check the quality of the installation of the meter, it is necessary to connect the general water supply, then smoothly turn the faucet handle or valve and carefully inspect the assembled unit for leaks.
If everything works flawlessly, you can call a representative of the public utility or water utility to inspect, check and seal the meter. Only after he makes the appropriate marks in the passport of the device and issues a document confirming the commissioning of the meter, you will be able to pay for water supply in accordance with the testimony received.
In the whole process, the difficulty, in fact, is not how exactly to put the meters on the water in the apartment, but the process of obtaining permits and registration documents, coordinating the shutdown of water supply and other organizational chores. However, by carrying out an independent installation of water meters in an apartment, the cost of savings can be approximately 1500-2500 rubles for the installation of each measuring device.
Consider the legal framework and aspects of the practical implementation of accounting for the consumption of hot and cold water. We will analyze the rules and procedure for installing water meters in an apartment.
Accounting for the consumption of water consumed is regulated by paragraph 5, 13 of the article of the Federal Law "On energy saving and on improving energy efficiency and on amending certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation" dated November 23, 2009 N 261-FZ: "Until July 1, 2012, owners of residential buildings, owners of premises in multi-apartment buildings put into operation on the day this Federal Law enters into force are obliged to ensure that such houses are equipped with metering devices for used water, heat energy, electric energy, as well as putting the installed metering devices into operation.
At the same time, “multi-apartment buildings within the specified period must be equipped with collective (common house) metering devices for used water, thermal energy, electric energy, as well as individual and common (for a communal apartment) metering devices for used water, electric energy.”
Legal subtleties and practical solutions
The interpretation of the meaning of the act implies that the owners of the premises are obliged to ensure that the resources supplied by the relevant organizations are taken into account. This means that a consensus must be reached between the supplier and the consumer on the order of accounting for resources and the equipment used. The accounting procedure is ensured by the integrity of the device, that is, the meter, which is sealed by a representative of the organization supplying water. In the general case, this is a management or housing and communal office.
Measuring equipment approved for the installation for accounting for water consumption is entered into the database of the Federal Information Fund to ensure the uniformity of measurements and is available for review at the address - fundmetrology.ru. The passport of the purchased measuring device must contain the registration number of this equipment sample in the database of the Information Fund. Additional testing or verification of the purchased device is not required, but in order to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, this issue should be coordinated with the operating organization in advance.
Meters may not be installed if the building is recognized as dilapidated and there are relevant documents stating such a situation. The building with a significant degree of wear has communications of the appropriate state.
Installing any equipment on them is simply dangerous. It should be added that the refusal of the homeowner to install water meters is not a punishable action. In this case, payment at an increasing rate is provided, but no administrative or penal sanctions are expected.
Mounting elements of the system.
When installing a water meter in an apartment or house, two related procedures arise that can be performed separately or simultaneously, depending on prevailing local characteristics and practices. The first procedure is the installation of equipment on the water supply system.
The owner of the premises can do it on his own or involve specialists, including those associated with the operating office that supplies drinking water to his apartment or house. This does not violate the rules and procedures for installing water meters in an apartment. The work is carried out at the expense of the owner of the premises.
The second procedure is the acceptance of devices into operation by the managing organization, which will receive money for the resources received, based on the readings of the installed measuring instruments. Sealing of meters and, if necessary, other elements of the system, is carried out by a representative of the management office. The procedure should be performed by them free of charge.
If the installation of the measuring equipment is carried out by a company authorized by the resource supplier to take it into operation, both procedures can be completed in one step.
Installation of control devices
Water accounting should be carried out along all highways transporting it to the points of water intake. The number of metering devices must correspond to the number of supply pipes. In an apartment with one riser of cold and hot water, two meters are required, one for each riser. If water is supplied through separate lines to the kitchen and bathroom with bathrooms, then the number of meters will be equal to the number of risers.
In apartments with gas or electric water heaters that do not have a centralized hot water supply, the meter is installed only at the risers supplying cold water. When performing work, it is necessary to turn off the water supply to the main pipe. If it is not possible to block the outlet from the riser, the water supply through the riser should be shut off.
The meter is mounted as close as possible to the riser, by inserting into the outlet main pipe. The complexity and cost of inserting into an existing system depends on the materials from which the internal wiring is made and its technical condition. It will cost more to install the meter in a copper pipeline and, if necessary, to rebuild the distribution manifold.
Connection to risers.
For reliable operation of the water meter and branches of the water supply system, the following are also installed:
- pressure regulator (optional);
- mechanical cleaning filter;
- fine water filter (optional);
- check valve.
All these elements are mounted in series with the orientation of the products along the water flow, according to the markings on the body. It is desirable to use pipe connections that make it easy to dismantle the assembly if necessary.
After completing the installation of meters, it is necessary to check the regular operation of all points of water intake of cold and hot water supply systems. During operations, outside contamination or internal rust may be present in the pipe. It is necessary to check the tightness of the joints, the absence of leakage or seepage of liquid from the joints.
Putting the system into operation
The installed equipment is presented to the organization that supplies water to your apartment or house, to start accounting for resources in accordance with the readings of measuring instruments. If the work is done, observing the rules and procedure for installing water meters in the apartment, this is not difficult. There may be some regional peculiarities of the procedure itself.
The owner of the premises must provide passports for all installed equipment in order to register it with the organization. Further actions depend on the accepted order. In most cases, a representative of the management office arrives at the site, authorized to assess the correct installation of the equipment and install the seals of his enterprise.
After completing the physical inspection and evaluation of the installed measuring instruments, the representative of the resource supplier or the operating organization draws up the appropriate certificate of acceptance of the system into operation. At the same time, the starting readings of all devices are recorded. Having completed these formalities, the owner of the apartment or house can begin to pay for the services received according to their actual number, and the supplier is obliged to accept payment in accordance with the indications of the control and measuring devices he has put into operation.
After the entry into force of the Russian law on the mandatory installation of water meters in residential premises, the issue of self-installation of such metering devices became especially relevant. And all because individual installers and firms working in this area have raised the price of their services literally "to heaven."
Meanwhile, installing a water meter yourself is a simple matter that does not require any special professional training. The installer will only need care and accuracy.
Table of contents:
What counters to choose?
Before you put something, you need to choose this “something”. And water meters are no exception. Experts are sure that the best meters are mechanical turbine meters (with an impeller). But electronic variations - this can be "cool", but only unreliable. Practice shows that electronic meters break down much more often than others.
Metering devices designed for cold and hot water have a different design. Visually, each is marked with a colored strip: the cold water meter has a blue marking, and the hot water meter has a red one. And it is imperative to mount these devices correctly (“cold” device for cold water, and “hot” for hot water), otherwise they will not pass the pre-operational verification.
It is best to buy the most ordinary counters, without the "bells and whistles". Especially when it comes to self-installation. Moreover, all devices sold in stores have passed mandatory certification. It remains only to verify and seal them after installation, but this is already the concern of specialists.
When buying a water meter, you should make sure that it is fully equipped, according to the accompanying specification. Mandatory in the set must be:
- mesh filter;
- a pair of connectors equipped with nipples, gaskets and union nuts;
- as well as a check valve.
Important: All this should be sold together with the meter, and not separately and for an additional fee.
When buying a device, you must also check its passport. The document must be printed in the printing house and certified by the stamp of the manufacturer. The serial numbers in the product passport must exactly match the numbers on the device.
Important: In no case should you be satisfied with the purchase of a photocopy of the passport for the counter. Such a device will not pass registration and verification, which means it will not be allowed for operation.
Stopcocks
Quite often, a factory water meter is also equipped with a shut-off valve with a hole in the ear of the pipe for sealing. Permission to install such a device should be obtained from the inspector of the local water utility. The buyer is also required to verify the quality of the device.
The main thing is not to purchase a meter equipped with a silumin crane, since this type of equipment is subject to sudden destruction due to intergranular corrosion. For use, it is better to choose stopcocks made of metal-plastic.
Some technical features
- If there is a fire drain in the room where the water meters are installed, it is required to install a valve on the bypass pipe and subsequently seal it with the participation of the water utility inspector. In theory, firefighters should also be notified about this valve, but this is not supported by any regulatory act, so the decision to call specialists or not remains with the owners of the premises.
- If the hot water system in the apartment is designed on two pipes (this occurs, although infrequently) and the owners of such housing are well acquainted with the concept of "elevator unit", it is possible to install water meters in this living space, but it will be necessary to purchase an additional bypass valve for the circulation pipe. Otherwise, the meter will “wind up” serious numbers on a utility bill.
- An important technical point is also the temperature in the meter installation room. According to specifications for such devices, the temperature cannot fall below + 5 ° C. In apartments, this is not important, since the temperature will not drop below this indicator, but in unheated basements of private houses, the issue will have to be resolved somehow. And again, with the participation of a representative of the water utility.
In some cases, it turns out to be easier and cheaper to insulate and wall up the basement pipe by installing a meter in the toilet.
Verification and first filling
The "life" of a water meter in a particular apartment or private house begins with its verification. And before paying money for the device in the store, you should make sure that zero marks are set on it, and ask the seller to check the equipment’s performance. And if later on commissioning it turns out that the device is faulty, and the expert issues an appropriate conclusion about this, the seller will be obliged to replace the device.
Verification of meters is carried out either by the instrumentation service of the water utility, or by the centralized instrumentation of the settlement / district, or by the instrumentation of the local housing department. Also, verification can be carried out by a private structure that has the appropriate license.
Important: In any case, the verification procedure is a free procedure, you should know and remember this. This is written in the law on meters for gas and water.
In which organization to pass the verification of meters, you should check in your Criminal Code or in the housing department. According to the current legislation, the chief engineer of the housing maintenance office or management company is obliged to answer all questions in this area to interested users. He has a proper job description for this.
Verification procedure
In fact, water meters are sent accompanied by a factory passport. And after the procedure, the corresponding stamp of the instrumentation service on passing should appear in this document. After verification, the necessary passport columns are also filled in.
In principle, experts will take up the verification of even the “left” device, for which there are no documents. Only then will you have to pay a fixed amount - the cost of the registration certificate at the rate. In this case, the verification procedure itself will also be paid, because the law applies only to devices that have passed the appropriate certification.
As for sealing, the instrumentation service will give its date, that is, the date on which you can pick up the device already with a seal. It is impossible to break this seal, since the water utility will not allow such a meter to be put into operation.
Place for counter
According to existing rules, water meters should be installed as close as possible to the entry of the water supply pipe into the room. But before allowing the meter to operate, the water utility inspector must make sure that it is not possible to crash into the water supply to the place where the meter is installed. Therefore, if the installation of the device is done by hand, you should choose a site that will not raise questions from the inspector.
In city apartments, as a rule, inspectors do not have complaints about installing meters. But in private homes they look much stricter. There are certain requirements that must be met:
- to the counter from the exit of the pipe from the wall or floor should be no more than 20 cm;
- the water well in the local area must have a capital structure;
- the capital well must have a strong and lockable metal cover;
- the cover of the capital well is subject to sealing;
- for the production of well works that require breaking the seal on the cover, it is necessary to call the inspector of the water utility every time for unsealing and subsequent sealing.
Counter installation
In fact, self-installation of a device for measuring water consumption is a simple matter. It is performed according to the scheme:
Just a few things to keep in mind:
- Before the ball shut-off valve there should not be any water taps.
- If the pipes are metal, then their first and last joints (along the watercourse) are waterproofed using FUM or Unilok. For other joints, a standard seal will suffice.
As for the actual elements of the node and their purpose, these are:
- a shut-off ball valve that shuts off the water supply to the room;
- a mesh filter that collects fine suspension from the water stream and prevents clogging of the meter;
- non-return valve that does not allow the reverse winding of the meter readings.
For the installation of metering devices, it is worth noting only one, but rather significant nuance: during the installation of the meter, the filter drain pipe (the one that sticks out at an angle) must be turned down if the meter is horizontal, and sideways if the device is installed vertically. With this arrangement of the nozzle, water will not flood the device in cases where it is necessary to disassemble the filter for cleaning.
Commissioning
Upon completion of the installation, you should make sure that the meter is functioning properly, nothing is leaking anywhere, and water can be used without any problems. Next, you should contact the water utility or the service house (private or multi-apartment - no difference) organization as soon as possible with a statement on the installation of metering devices. Otherwise, the water consumption in the residential premises will still be considered at the set maximum.
Within 3 days from the date of the application of the tenants, the inspector of the operator must visit the apartment or house. And by the time of his visit, the homeowners should have a passport and an act of verification for the installed meter / meters at the ready. The inspector will record in the act of commissioning the device its initial readings, and will also conclude a service contract. And besides, it seals the instrument assembly.
Important: Read the terms of the contract carefully before signing it. There should not be exorbitant subscription fees, “insurance” for breaking seals and fictitious frequent checks (say, once a quarter or more often) at the expense of the subscriber.
From the moment of signing the contract, the owner of the apartment / private house or the responsible tenant pays for water already according to the meter readings. He must also have the following documents in his hands:
- the second copy of the concluded contract;
- technical passport for the meter (if it was in a single copy, the inspector can take it with him, but only to make a copy, with a return);
- a copy of the signed act on putting the device into operation.
Some cases from user experience
During the operation of water meters, the following situations may well arise:
- The water flows badly, although the neighbors do not complain about this. A possible reason for this state of affairs is filter clogging. You cannot remove it and clean it yourself, because this will require breaking the seal. An application must be submitted to the operator. And according to the law, he will have to do everything for free, including resealing.
- The seal was broken by accident. In this case, you do not need to try to “fix” anything - this operation is fraught with large fines if traces are found. It is only necessary to immediately notify the operator about what happened (on the very first working day, if the incident happened on the weekend), and he will have to send a specialist within 24 hours to draw up an act and re-sealing. If you stretch out the time, and the inspector discovers a broken seal, the amounts for water will be recalculated to the maximum since the last verification (and it can take a very long time), plus a fine will be issued for failure to declare.
- It is necessary to carry out work that requires breaking the seal. This is where refilling costs money. If the work is carried out by a third-party organization or a master, all expenses are at their expense. If the work is carried out by the owner or tenant of the apartment, you will have to pay on your own.
- Verification (scheduled and unscheduled). Often, residents have suspicions that the meter shows too much water consumption. In this case, you can order an unscheduled verification. It will be free once and will help resolve the doubts of worried users.
While the meter is being verified, the water calculation for an apartment or a private house is carried out according to the average statistical indicators (minimum) for a particular region. Scheduled verifications are naturally carried out “according to the plan” (and more often they are not carried out, because without complaints from the owners of apartments / houses and tenants, few of the authorized ones carry out such verifications on their own initiative).
"Complicated" apartments
What to do for those who have a two-pipe hot water supply in their home or, for example, a fire hydrant? They cannot install water meters on their own. For these purposes, it is necessary to invite professionals from the local water utility or from a specialized contractor.
Installing water meters at home is a profitable business. And do-it-yourself installation in this situation is doubly beneficial. True, you have to tinker to do everything right. That is why it is worthwhile to first calculate your own strengths and capabilities. It may be easier and cheaper to still invite the masters.
According to the government decree, which determines the procedure for installing water meters, all owners of apartments and private households connected to centralized water supply systems are required to install metering devices. At the same time, the cost of acquiring appliances and the equipment necessary for installation, as well as paying for the cost of work performed, is paid by homeowners at their own expense. Only persons living in emergency houses are exempted from the mandatory installation of meters. True, the imposition of penalties in the absence of water meters in the apartment is not provided for by the resolution.
For persons who have not installed water meters, an increasing coefficient of the cost of paying for water supply services will be applied, which will increase the payment for the next 2 years by 60%. But in the case of installing metering devices, you can only pay for real consumption, which in the end will turn out to be profitable.
Types of counters
To install a water meter in an apartment, you must purchase it. On sale you will see the following:
- For horizontal installation;
- For vertical installation;
- Universal, with the possibility of installation in any spatial position;
In addition, water meters have different connection diameters, and therefore different throughput. For installation in apartments and private houses, in most cases, water meters with a nominal diameter of 1/2 ″ (15 mm) are suitable.
The meters are divided according to the maximum allowable temperature during operation. Devices with a red body are able to work normally at water temperatures above 100°C, and with a blue body only up to 40°C. The industry also produces universal meters with a design temperature of 90 ° C, the body color of these devices is gray.
When buying a meter, be sure to make sure that you have a factory passport in which there is a seal of the state verifier and the numbers match the number of the device.
Required additional equipment
The wiring diagram for connecting the water meter, in addition to it, includes:
- Shut-off valve for possible shutdown of water during repairs;
- Mechanical coarse filter;
- check valve;
- Union nuts for water meter connection;
- Water pressure regulator, which is set only when it is necessary to reduce the pressure or maintain it at a constant level.
The installation of a stopcock is only required if the old faucet that was previously installed is faulty, does not work well, or does not exist at all. During the purchase, do not try to save on the price of the crane. Cheap fittings will not last long, and replacing them forces you to turn off the water supply to other apartments, since you have to block the riser. The best home faucets have a ball-type design and a brass body.
A mechanical coarse filter is necessary to protect the water meter from clogging when solid suspended particles enter it, and therefore must be installed in front of the meter. It does not purify water to the level of drinking; for these purposes, it is required to install filters of a different type in front of the draw-off points.
The non-return valve is designed to prevent the reverse movement of water and thereby eliminates failures and inaccuracies in the readings of the water meter. The valve is always installed after the water meter in the direction of water flow.
Installation of a water meter unit
Work on the installation of water meters can be performed by:
- Masters from the management company, housing office or DEZ;
- Employees of a private company licensed to carry out such work;
- The owner of an apartment or a private house on his own.
The last point logically eliminates the need for anyone to have licenses. You can hire anyone who knows how to do plumbing work, and after installation, report that you did it yourself. But we will consider all options in accordance with the law.
Installation of the meter by craftsmen from the management company, housing office or DEZ
In this case, to install the meter, you need to purchase the required number of water meters and additional equipment. Installation of a meter by a master of the Criminal Code or Housing Office in an apartment involves submitting an application to the appropriate authority. After submitting the application, find out the date of arrival of the master. This usually happens within 3-5 business days.
The master will install all the necessary cold and hot water meters, seal them and draw up an “Act on putting the meter into operation”, which will indicate the date of work, the meter number, dial readings and the name of the organization that performed the sealing.
This act must be taken to the company supplying water to register the meter. After that, in the period from the 23rd to the 26th, you will have to transfer the data of instrument readings to this organization.
Contract with a private company
In accordance with the law, the installation of water metering units can be carried out by private companies that have a special license to perform such work. When contacting a private company, you must require the conclusion of an agreement, after the conclusion of which you will specify the exact time the specialist will arrive to perform the work. They will also ask you to attach a copy of the license to your copy of the contract, the presentation of which may be required by the Criminal Code, ZhEK or DEZ.
Make sure your contract does not include a service clause. No one will do it anyway, and you will pay the money.
When installing water meters, the procedure is as follows:
- The wizard installs all the necessary accounting nodes;
- Fills them;
- Draws up and issues you an act on the performance of work;
- You take the act to the company providing the supply of water to your home for registration of meters.
Do-it-yourself water meter installation
Self-installation of water metering units is not prohibited by law. Therefore, if you have at least a little experience in plumbing work, you can install them yourself. However, after installation, it will be necessary to call a representative of the Criminal Code, ZhEK or DEZ to seal the device.
First, assemble the meter, filter and check valve into a single assembly. This is necessary in order to determine the installation size of the cut section of the pipeline. At the same time, take into account the length of the transition from metal to plastic, if the installation will be carried out on a plastic pipeline. Installation of a detachable connection (American) on a metal pipeline is not required, since, if necessary, the frame can be disassembled by unscrewing the union nuts of the water meter.
If you do not need to replace the shut-off valve, then installation of the assembly is quite simple. Cut out the required section of the pipe and install the already assembled assembly on it. After that, open the water and check the performance for no leakage and the correct operation of the meter.
To install the tap, you will need to turn off the water supply to the riser. This can only be done upon application with the permission of the water supply organization. The permit must be submitted in advance, and not on the day of the work.
Final steps
If after installing the meter there are no leaks and the water meter is working normally, you need to submit an application to the management company, housing office or DEZ for sealing the device. The master of the relevant organization must come no later than 15 days after the application is submitted. Therefore, prepare 2 copies of the statement that on one the employees of the Criminal Code could put the registered date of its submission.
If within 2 weeks the master did not come to seal, then submit another application and after 14 days the installation of water meters is completed, the rule and procedure determine that he will be considered registered even without installing seals. What you can report to the water supply company.
To control water consumption, it is definitely worth including devices for measuring water consumption in the plumbing scheme, namely, installing water meters with parameters that comply with current standards.
Agree that such a device will allow not only to control the real consumption and pay only for the used water, but also teach you how to save this resource.
But first you need to buy it and, following the rules for installing water meters, connect it correctly. And how to do this - we will consider in detail in the article. Here are the basic installation rules with visual photos of the individual stages of installing the device.
As an addition to the main material of our article, we have selected video recommendations for self-installation of meters. After all, metering devices are allowed to be installed with their own hands, but with the permission of the services performing the sealing.
Devices for recording water consumption in a particular residential facility are installed on the communication networks of apartments and houses connected to centralized water supply systems.
For management companies, installation rules have been developed with a number of requirements and commissioning procedures. Although the installation, if desired, you can do it yourself.
They are easy to use, but quickly fail in an intermediate state between "closed" and "open".
Before proceeding with the installation of a water flow control and measuring device, it is necessary to think over the scheme of its installation and stock up on the necessary details
The coarse filter is used to prevent large insoluble particles such as grains of sand contained in water from entering the mechanism of the device.
Filters for mechanical flow cleaning are of two types, straight and oblique (only oblique is used to install the meter).
The non-return valve serves mainly to prevent the meter reading from being unwinded, and also, in the absence of parsing, prevents the water from going in the opposite direction.
Americans, if necessary, will help to dismantle the water meter without consequences for the water supply system.
Other elements can also be installed in the water meter assembly. They are optional, but will be very helpful.
This is a shut-off valve after the check valve (so that when the meter is removed, the water does not drain to the floor), the pressure reducer is installed after the coarse filter, which stabilizes the pressure in the system and extends the life of household appliances.
Before installing water meters, it is necessary to carefully prepare the workplace and stock up on the necessary tools to carry out the entire cycle of work
Now the water meter itself:
- When buying, it is necessary to verify the identity of the numbers in the passport and their analogues stamped on the water meter.
- It is necessary to make sure that there is a certificate and a stamp in the passport with the date of factory verification.
- And it’s a good idea to take a sales receipt in the store and issue a guarantee; in case of a malfunction, if there is an act and a check, the counter must be replaced.
Try to purchase a water meter in a specialized store, and not in the market, it will be easier to replace in the event of a breakdown.
After making sure that you have everything you need, you can proceed to install the water meter.
Before purchasing a measuring device, it is necessary to carefully study its passport. It contains not only the characteristics of the technical device, but also information about the verifications carried out
Water meter installation technology
You can install a water meter both on your own and seek help from specialized institutions, a management company, a structural department of a water utility.
When choosing a company, make sure that you have a license and provide a warranty service period, read the reviews.
If you do not trust the work of others and are confident in your abilities, then you can, just first consult with specialists from the water utility whether they will allow you to install the meter yourself, usually it is not prohibited.
Regardless of who will install the water meter, the procedure for installing a water meter will not change:
- Before starting the installation, it is necessary to turn off the water in the riser. You should apply to the management company or, if there is a shut-off valve, close it yourself.
- It is necessary to determine the installation scheme of the node and its position (vertical or horizontal).
- Then you need to connect the shut-off valve and the coarse filter (without plumbing winding) in such a way that the filter nozzle with the mesh is directed to the bottom, we determine the number of turns when twisting.
- Now again you need to remove the filter and completely assemble the entire assembly, taking into account the number of turns, while applying the winding.
All threaded connections are carefully wrapped with sealing tape and treated with sanitary mastic.
When assembling, pay attention to the water meter, there are marks in the form of arrows on it.
The direction of the arrows must match the direction of the water flow through the device, otherwise the operation of the installed meter will be incorrect, due to which the representative of the water utility will not accept such work.
It is important to ensure the correct position of each element. In the direction of water flow, it looks like this: a shut-off valve, a coarse filter, a water meter, a check valve.
When installing, pay attention to the order of the elements in the node, it must match the direction of the water flow
The next stage is the preparation of the pipeline for the installation of the system. This is a rather pedantic process, since the length of the assembled assembly must match the long section on the existing pipeline with a minimum error.
Of course, you can use flexible eyeliner, but it does not look aesthetically pleasing.
Before cutting the pipe, it is advisable to substitute a basin or other container, the water remaining in the system will drain into it.
Depending on the pipes, it will be necessary to use fittings in the case of metal pipes or fittings in the case of polypropylene pipes.
You may also find information about the rules, which is given in our other article, useful.
The final stage is the insertion of the water meter unit into the water supply system. We install the assembly we have assembled into the prepared system, while sealing all threaded connections using linen eyeliner or Fum tape.
When tightening threaded connections, do not apply great force, this can lead to the formation of microcracks and subsequent leakage. If everything is done correctly, then there will be no smudges when the water is supplied, you can proceed to installing the seal.
Tapping into the system using a flexible connection, less laborious, but more costly
Seal installation and technical documentation
After you have installed the metering unit, checked the serviceability of its operation, the question arises, how to properly seal the water meter? You should find out who is doing this, whether it is possible to put a seal yourself.
It is worth entrusting the installation of a seal to specially trained people: representatives of a water utility or a management company. To do this, you must apply for a metering device.
Do not delay with the application, despite the installed meter, the water consumption will still be determined to the maximum before the official registration.
Installation of a seal is a free procedure. You should not install it yourself, you still have to call a representative of the management company.
Within some time, usually from three to five days, a representative of the local government is sent at your request. For normal working contact with it, you must have a verification certificate and a meter passport with you.
It is the responsibility of the specialist to check the correctness of the installation order of the water meter assembly and all its components, and the integrity of the assembly elements is also checked.
The representative of the water utility does not have the right to control the qualifications of the person installing the meter.
After checking and sealing the unit (with his own seal), the inspector will draw up a commissioning certificate, where he will enter the initial meter readings and provide you with a service contract.
After carefully reading the contract, making sure that everything suits you, put your signature.
It is not allowed to use data taken from the meter in utility calculations if a seal is not installed or there is no polymer film with an imprint of a verification mark applied to it
After signing the contract, you start paying for water according to the meter. Of the documents, the owners must have one copy of the service agreement and the act of putting the meter into operation.
It is also necessary to leave a technical passport and a certificate of verification of the water meter. An employee of the management company will need a technical passport, it is better to make a photocopy in advance.
There are times when refilling is required. For example, the service life of devices has ended, the floor of one of the elements of the node, the addition of a new element to the system.
Therefore, it is better to store documents separately from other papers so that in case of an unforeseen situation they are at hand.
Problems during operation and their solution
During the operation of the water meter unit, some problems may occur. Consider their types and possible solutions.
Whatever the problem, troubleshooting yourself is not recommended. Use the services of specialists - it will save you time and money.
High-quality sealing, the key to long-term service, but do not overdo it. A large amount of winding can cause leakage
Symptoms and remedies:
- Poor water flow through the water meter. The coarse filter may be clogged. It is necessary to call a representative of the management company to eliminate the defect, he is obliged to clean the filter for free and reseal it. Under no circumstances do this yourself, breaking the seal is tantamount to loss of warranty.
- Broken filling. You shouldn't fix it yourself. Notify the management company as soon as possible. You will have to pay for the re-sealing, but these are trifles compared to fines if the inspector discovers the fact of a broken seal. It will be necessary to pay the full amount of the tariff from the moment of the last check (maybe several years), as well as a fine for not applying.
- Water passes through the water meter, but the readings are not recorded. Perhaps there was a breakdown of the counting or rotary mechanism. If you are sure that the water meter is faulty, you are entitled to a free unscheduled inspection. This is in case the warranty period has not expired.
During the inspection period, payment for water is calculated according to the average statistical minimum for the region. Checking can take up to several months, sometimes it's easier to buy a new one.
Do not put off installing a water meter - this will help you save up to 30% of the monthly payment
The insertion of individual water meters is becoming an integral procedure in every home, the process is not so much laborious as troublesome, but quite justified.
By following the order in the sequence of works for installing a water meter, you not only save about 30% every month, but also an incentive for the wise use of water.
You may also find information about and features of this procedure useful.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The video will visually present the process of assembling units for mounting cold and hot water measuring instruments:
An unambiguous conclusion is that the installation of meters is beneficial for every family, since water is becoming more expensive every quarter, and the supply of clean fresh water is becoming less and less.
Installing a meter with your own hands or calling a specialist is a personal matter. As you can see from the step-by-step instructions given in our article, you can do the installation yourself by carefully studying the general recommendations and buying a meter and accessories that will come in handy during the installation process.
And although the representative of the water supply company, when sealing, does not have the right to be interested in the qualifications of the master who installs the meter, in practice, users are faced with different situations.
Loading...