Rules for replacing a water meter for hot and cold water in an apartment: how to correctly change the water meter yourself, what keys are needed to replace it

In this article we will figure out how to correctly change water meters in an apartment (replacement rules) and whether it is necessary to do so. If you open a search on any service, you will easily find how many companies and private technicians offer work on replacing, checking and servicing devices. Each of them has a period within which its operation is allowed. In addition, owners of devices must monitor their serviceability and install new ones in case of serious damage.

Is it necessary to have it?

Some owners say that they don’t have to install it and can do without it. In fact, this is real, but with one caveat. If the apartment does not have a meter, then the cost for services will be charged at the average rate. It depends on the quantity prescribed, and not on the actual volume consumed. This is usually significantly more than the average family spends.

There are no exact instructions on the need to install appliances for hot and cold water. The Federal Law says nothing about this. The need for payment is prescribed at the legislative level, but no sanctions are specified for persons who refuse to install.

Therefore, it is important not only to install the products correctly, but also to monitor their serviceability. For the same reason, they should be changed in a timely manner.

At whose expense is the meter changed?

According to current legislation, the meter is purchased and installed at the expense of the tenants. This is a paid service. However, if you carry out the installation yourself, you can save more than a thousand rubles.

There are a number of preferential categories of citizens for whom water meters are replaced free of charge:

low-income citizens;
veterans of the Great Patriotic War;
disabled people of groups 1 and 2;
families with a disabled child.

All other citizens, in addition to the meter itself, pay for installation and sealing.

What you should pay attention to

Each region can make amendments and points in addition to the main Federal Law. For example, in Moscow, fixed time intervals between inspections have been abolished. The owners themselves monitor this.

Important point. Owners of living space will have to install, monitor the condition and reinstall faulty equipment with a new one at their own expense.

In addition, housing and communal services do not have the right to force installation of devices in private houses and apartments. They also do not have the right to advertise any companies.

Sometimes owners have the right to refuse to use water meters. But they must have a good reason. Here are some of them:

the building refers to buildings that have documented low energy consumption;
the building is considered to be in disrepair or dilapidated;
communications are so old that they require replacement;
The wiring is done in such a way that their presence will not help determine water consumption.

If at least one of the features exists, you should contact the Criminal Code and ask them for documentary evidence.

Legality of management companies' demands to install meters

Even large management companies can cheat to earn more money for themselves

So, the use of meters may be associated with certain difficulties and inconveniences for apartment and house owners, and, naturally, many do not want to deal with them at all. But when you come to the water utility, you will most likely hear that these are the requirements now, or, as was the case in our case, a company employee said that the general tariffs, which are calculated per registered person, will increase from day to day and enjoy the benefits of water supply in such conditions it will become completely unprofitable. Are housing agencies right in this case?

The federal law does not spell out anything exactly about this, which means you may well refuse forced installation, and if housing and communal services employees continue to stand their ground, just ask them to demonstrate the clause in the law stating mandatory installation.
Another question is whether such use is beneficial for owners of houses and apartments? If you calculate the payment according to the tariff, it will be almost 60% more profitable, according to statistics and the same company employees, but in reality, everything will depend on the level of water you consume.

Everyone's water needs are different.

If, for example, you like to take a bath every day, filling it completely, plus you cannot help but take an additional refreshing shower during the day, then, naturally, the general tariff will be more profitable, since you are free to use as much water as you want, for fixed fee. If you are extremely economical, you are often not at home and no one uses water at all, or maybe there are tenants living in the apartment, and you definitely want to know the costs of utilities, then you will not be able to do without a meter.

Accurate control of water consumption is ensured

Some of the legal points that may be useful to you when communicating with housing and communal services are the following:

Each subject of the federation has the right to make its own amendments to the Federal Law;
Management companies do not have the right to insist on the forced installation of a water flow control device;
They also cannot advertise specific organizations responsible for testing equipment;
Installation and replacement of metering devices is carried out only at the expense of the home owner.

Self-installation

We continue to delve into the legal jungle.

Installation and replacement work can be done by yourself

The procedure for replacing a water meter is as follows. You purchase a new device from a specialized store. It must have all the necessary documentation included. Then a specialist is invited to carry out the correct installation. After this, you inform the DEZ or water utility that the installation has been completed, be so kind as to “sign” it ! On the appointed date and time, an authorized employee comes to you and seals the meter - this procedure, by the way, is free .

If you think that you can handle the installation part of the described process yourself, then nothing prevents you from doing so. This approach will save your family budget, but be prepared that many issues that arise along the way can take up a lot of your time.

Firstly, we go to the store to buy the meter itself and all the necessary components, whereas a hired specialist from the office can do all this himself;
Secondly, you need to contact the housing office so that a plumber can come and turn off the water in the riser in the basement, if you yourself don’t know how and where to do this. For this, you may be required to make some payment, after which you will be given a date and exact time for disconnection.
Then you do all the replacement work.
Call an employee to do the sealing. Based on the results of the work, you receive a certificate of commissioning of the device.
Finally, you go to the office with the device’s passport to register it.

Kit for installing water meters - the filter will protect the devices from early breakdown

In DEZ you receive a standard contract, after which you legally begin to save on water consumption.

If you do not have the funds to install a meter, do not rush to get upset

A very important point, which is regulated at the legislative level, is that there are certain categories of persons who have the right to free installation of a water supply meter. These include:

Low-income citizens;
Families raising a disabled child;
Disabled people of groups 1 and 2;
Veterans and participants of the Second World War. Participants include home front workers, WWII widows and rehabilitated citizens.

Some regions provide free installation for citizens who have retired due to old age, so check this fact locally. Also, sometimes the authorities hold promotions for free installation and replacement. In general, stay up to date with the news.

If you have problems with the pipeline in the bathroom, then this article will help you solve a difficult issue. Information about the types of water pipes and step-by-step installation instructions.

How to apply for a replacement

An important nuance. In accordance with the Government Decree of 2013, the introduction of metering devices should be free of charge, as should their sealing.

To do everything right, you need to follow a few simple sequential steps:

go to the Criminal Code;
prepare all the papers that may be needed;
install a counting device;
receive the act according to which commissioning was carried out;
sign an agreement with the company.

Please note that not all management companies will handle the installation. Therefore, before starting the procedure, it is worth checking certificates and licenses and clarifying whether the company can provide such services.

Possible installation errors

Despite the apparent simplicity of the replacement procedure, certain difficulties may arise during the self-installation process:

The need to check the insides of the pipeline and clean them is ignored . Usually, apartment owners only reinstall the IPU, without thinking about the large amount of deposits that have accumulated inside the pipes over the years of operation;
Failure to follow installation instructions . It is not uncommon for people to prefer to act on a whim, avoiding strictly following the prescribed sequence. As a result: there may be a leak or a discrepancy between the meter readings and the actual volumes of consumption;
The water is not completely shut off . It is necessary to close the tap not on the mixer, but on the riser - if there is one.

Even in the absence of obvious signs of problems with the operation of the device, errors during installation may manifest themselves in the future in the form of a shortened service life of the device.

Therefore, it is important to either pay more attention to the installation features, or use the services of a specialist .

What papers are needed?

In order to install equipment in your home, you must have the following documentation on hand:

passport - original and copy, all pages with marks;
the application itself - you need to fill it out;
confirmation of ownership of housing - an extract from the Unified State Register, certificate, other basis;
building plan - it is drawn up by the management company or another company that has the right to carry out these procedures.

In the future it will be necessary to conclude an agreement. For him, you should additionally collect the following documents:

installation agreement;
the device passport is always in the same package with it;
act of commissioning - filled out at the time of sealing;
a certificate that can confirm that the product complies with the standards.

1.5 m3/h For process water

MBFT-75 Membrane for 75GPD

In some cases, this list is supplemented with other files at the request of the Criminal Code.

The paper is filled out by a representative of the management company when the water meter has already started working. A separately signed agreement states that from this point on, payments will be debited in accordance with the volume spent.

DIY water meter installation: instructions and what mistakes are best to avoid

Until relatively recently, 15–20 years ago, almost the entire population of the country with a central water supply everywhere paid for water supply services in accordance with established consumption standards for each person living in a house or apartment. In the corresponding proportion, payments were made for water disposal (sewage) services.

DIY water meter installation

Currently, most homeowners already use water meters. The installation of these metering devices is usually planned at the stage of building a house and connecting utilities to it. In old houses, water meters are installed into existing wiring by specialists from specialized companies or master plumbers, whose services are widely advertised in any newspaper. It is quite easy to install a water meter yourself, if, of course, the owner of the apartment has certain skills in working with plumbing fittings and equipment.

This publication will focus on the need to install a water meter, the rules for its selection, self-installation, as well as what will need to be done after installing the meter.

Are water meters needed?

The imperfection of the payment system based on the number of residents is obvious - these standards, which exist in many regions, by the way, to this day, of course, are always calculated taking into account the interests of the water supply organization, which under any circumstances must remain profitable.

In this case, the possible absence of one or more family members is absolutely not taken into account. Even if no one was in the apartment for a long time (for example, summer living outside the city or a family vacation trip), this does not affect the regularity of receipt of bills for payment.

Installing water meters provides real cost savings

It is no secret that, probably, in any apartment building there are representatives of the category of so-called persistent defaulters. And the real water consumption that remains unpaid is often scattered by management companies among the bills of those residents who have not yet bothered to install metering devices and pay for water according to the bills that come to them.

But even if we put aside all these quite probable points and turn to purely statistical data, the benefit of installing a meter still becomes obvious. It is estimated that the average city dweller uses up to 4 cubic meters of cold water and up to 3 cubic meters of hot water per month. But according to existing standards, you have to pay almost twice as much - 11.7 cubic meters!

The situation is often even more complicated for owners of private houses - they are charged an additional payment based on the area of the adjacent land plot and whether they have their own car. Again, it is never taken into account whether the site is used as a household plot or whether the car is washed frequently.

Expert opinion:

Afanasyev E.V.

Chief editor of the Stroyday.ru project. Engineer.

Installing individual metering devices will help you avoid paying extra, but give your money only for the actual consumption of cold and hot water. Of course, this will require certain primary costs - for the purchase and installation of equipment. However, as practice shows, in a family of 4 people, such expenses already pay off in six months.

Another very important positive aspect of installing such metering devices. In most regions of our country, we are accustomed to treating water as something that has always been there and, of course, is not going anywhere. At the same time, few people thought that water reserves are by no means unlimited. And installed water meters significantly discipline consumers, involuntarily forcing them to be more attentive to the reasonable and economical use of water. Probably, such an apartment owner will never again have a leaking faucet or faucet, or a faulty tank in the bathroom.

Installed meters significantly discipline consumers and force them to use water wisely

Perhaps at the level of an individual consumer this is perceived as some kind of trifle, but already on the scale of a district, city and larger ones, such measures give a very impressive result.

How a water meter works and how to choose it correctly

In order to correctly install a water meter with your own hands and operate it correctly, you probably need to have an idea of its structure.

Most water meters used in domestic conditions have a single tachometer operating principle. The flow of water passing through the device causes rotation of the impeller (impeller) or turbine. The torque is transmitted mechanically or electromagnetically to the counting device. Each revolution corresponds to a certain water flow.

The principle is the same, but its technical implementation may vary.

Small water meters used in apartments usually have an impeller. The number and length of its blades are precisely calculated, and give an accurate calculation of the consumption of water passing through the chamber of the device.

Impeller in the water meter body
As a disadvantage of this design, it can be noted that the wheel with blades has a certain inertia and is more susceptible to the influence of turbulent flows created by the abundant passage of water, which affects the accuracy of flow calculations. However, on the scale of consumption of one apartment this has no practical significance, which is why such meters are the most common.

If the water meter is installed on a more “serious” main line with high water pressure, then, as a rule, turbine-type devices are installed.

Diagram of a water meter with a turbine

They do not have the disadvantages of an impeller, and their level of accuracy is much higher.

There are also combined type meters with a system of valves that ensure the passage of water at low pressure through the impeller, and when it increases, through the turbine. However, they are usually used only for general house accounting, and most likely you will not have to deal with them at the household level.

Water meters can be single-jet or multi-jet. As is probably clear from the name, in the first, water passes through the chamber in a general flow, which, in principle, helps to enhance the turbulence effect. To reduce this negative phenomenon, in particularly accurate meters the flow is divided into several channels.
Based on the degree of isolation of the counting mechanism from water, metering devices are divided into “dry” and “wet”.

In water meters built on the “wet” principle, the counting device has direct contact with water. The transmission of torque from the impeller is carried out in the usual mechanical way, through a system of axles and gears. Advantages: insensitivity to magnetic influences, low price. Disadvantages: short service life due to the constant interaction of the mechanism with water, special sensitivity to the purity of the flowing liquid.

In “dry” meters, the impeller or turbine mechanism is separated from the counting device by a sealed partition. The precise mechanics of the meter never, under any circumstances, come into contact with water. The transmission of rotation is carried out through a magnetic pair - a ring magnet is installed on top of the impeller body, and the same one is in the counting mechanism, which is also located in a sealed cylindrical flask. Such a scheme dramatically increases the service life of the device, which is no longer so demanding on the purity and temperature of the water. The disadvantage is vulnerability to the external influence of magnetic (electromagnetic) fields, so such meters began to be equipped with an additional protective anti-magnetic coupling.

Such metering devices are currently the most common in apartment conditions.

This is how most residential water meters are designed.

The diagram shows the basic structure of a typical modern residential water meter:

The housing of the lower part of the meter (1) can be made of non-magnetic alloys based on aluminum, brass, and less commonly polymer ones. The housing has channels for the passage of water (2) with a central chamber in which a paddle wheel-impeller (3) is installed. The impeller axis of high-quality water meters is equipped with watch stones (4), which ensures its rotation with minimal friction and gives high accuracy of readings.

The “water” part of the meter is hermetically sealed with a polymer partition (5), which is fixed either with a special nut or a locking ring. For meters with antimagnetic protection, a special protective coupling is located in the same place in the center, protecting against the influence of an external magnetic field.

A sealed counting mechanism (6), which is most often made of transparent plastic, is placed on top of the body. It is attached to the body with a special ring, which allows you to rotate it around its axis so that you can set the scale to the position that is most convenient for reading readings. This fixing ring must have a factory seal.

The transmission of torque is carried out by a pair of ring magnets (7). One of them is located on the impeller, not its upper section, and the second is installed coaxially with the first on the main shaft of the counting mechanism. Thus, the rotation of the impeller is “copied” by the precise mechanics of the device.

The rotation of the main shaft through a system of gears (8) is scaled in a certain way and transmitted to a dial indicator of flow (9) and to a digital scale with rollers (10) that count water consumption, usually accurate to the third decimal place (from 1 liter). Thus, on most meters there are three red numbers, showing fractions of a cubic meter, and five black numbers, allowing you to count from 0 to 99,999 m³ of water consumed.

Video: how a regular water meter works

Many modern water meters are equipped, in addition, with a special reed switch sensor, which converts a certain number of revolutions into an electronic pulse.

Water meter with pulse reading function

In this case, the metering device is connected by a signal cable to a special indicator panel, which can be located nearby or even located in the entrance. Such a panel can have programming functions and show not only consumption, but also its monetary equivalent in accordance with current tariffs.

Hot water meters, in general, completely repeat the described design, but are made of heat-resistant materials that ensure accurate readings when heated to high (up to 90 °) temperatures. In addition, some modern water meters with pulse output help solve another cost-saving problem - they can monitor water temperature.

The meters are connected to the indicator panel. The temperature sensor, in addition, takes readings of the temperature of hot water

For these purposes, a temperature sensor is installed in the pipe near the entrance to the meter (sometimes in the water meter body itself), which is also connected to an electronic display unit. If the water temperature drops below the established standards, its consumption will be taken into account in a separate window. When the temperature is normalized, recording is carried out in the usual way. When paying for hot water consumed, the average figure is displayed. A two-tariff charging scheme can also be used - for example, when the water temperature is above 50° (optimal), the coefficient for calculation is taken as “1”, but if the temperature drops below this contractual mark, in the range of 45 ÷ 50°, then when calculating the amount to be paid a reduction factor of “0.7” is applied.

How to approach the problem of the required water meter?

First of all, you should find out from the management company in charge of the water supply at the homeowner’s place of residence which devices are allowed for installation by the rules in force in the region. Perhaps the city has already implemented an electronic metering system and a multi-tariff payment system, and utility companies will require the mandatory installation of a meter with pulse transmission of signals. Most likely, the client will be asked to purchase a water meter from them with the provision of a paid service for its installation. If not, then the Vodokanal should provide information about trade or service organizations that have the right to sell such metering devices.
When purchasing a water meter yourself, under no circumstances should you purchase it secondhand or from retail outlets that are not completely trustworthy, even if the price seems very attractive. Firstly, there is no guarantee that the device is not a fake or a “restored” used meter, and no one knows how long it will last. Secondly, you can run into trouble when, after installation, the management organization refuses to register this water meter, and you will have to buy another one.

What data should you pay special attention to:

As already mentioned, there are meters for cold and hot water. The temperature range must be indicated in the product passport (for example, from 5 to 40 ° C for cold and from 40 to 90 ° C for hot). Similar symbols can be printed on the front indicator panel of the device; in addition, color markings are used (blue and red housings). There are also universal models - they usually have gray color markings, and the panel indicates the possibility of their use for both hot and cold water supply.

Universal meter suitable for both cold and hot water supply

The next important parameter is the nominal diameter (DN). Od must correspond to the actual pipe layout at the intended installation location of the device. Typically, apartments use pipes with DN 15 or 20 mm - this needs to be clarified in advance, before going to the store.
Meter accuracy class. The current rules allow the use of devices with accuracy class “A” (±1%) or “B” (±2%). Typically, modern meters provide operation according to metrological class “B” when they are horizontally positioned with the scale facing upward, and according to class “A” - with any other placement of the device (with the exception of placing the water meter on a horizontal section with the counting mechanism facing downwards is prohibited).
It is worth clarifying the maximum permissible water pressure in the system, since some metering devices may have certain restrictions. Typically, for Du-15 meters the limit is 1 MPa (10 bar), and for Du-20 - 1.6 MPa (16 bar).
An important indicator is the maximum (Qmax) and nominal (Qn) water flow. For the most common Du-15 meters, these values are usually Qmax - no more than 3 m³/hour, - about 1.5 m³/hour. Such an expense should be more than enough for any apartment or house. Exceeding these values will lead to very rapid failure of the meter.

All necessary technical information is always indicated in detail in the product passport and is very often applied to the front panel of the counting device, as shown in the figure:

The main characteristics of the meter are usually displayed on its front panel

Everything is very clear:

— SV-15G is a water meter with a diameter of -15 mm, for hot water with a maximum temperature of 90° C. The red color of the connecting ring of the device also indicates this.

— The symbol “V-N” means that the device corresponds to metrological class “B” when positioned horizontally (H).

— Accordingly, the designation “A-V” indicates the class of the meter “A” when it is installed vertically (V).

— The maximum permissible pressure in the water supply system is 10 bar.

— Nominal water flow Qn – 1.5 m³/hour.

— Red pictographic symbols in the center below indicate that this device model has state certification.

Important parameters are the dimensions of the water meter, on which the possibility of inserting it in a particular place largely depends. Of particular importance is the so-called installation length of the meter, which takes into account the size of the device itself and the thickness of the connecting elements. This is a standardized value: for apartment water meters it is usually 110 or 130 mm, and for house meters - 190 or 260 mm.
The device passport must contain marks indicating that it has undergone technical control at the manufacturer, indicating the date of manufacture of the product. The warranty obligations for the inter-inspection period of operation of the metering device should also be indicated there. As a rule, for cold water meters it is 6 years, hot - 4 years. It is necessary to check the serial serial number of the device - it must be indicated in the documents and on the body of the counting device.

When purchasing, be sure to check the completeness of the meter

The store must make a mandatory certified note in the passport about the date of purchase of the water meter.
The completeness of the water meter delivery must be checked. In the minimum configuration, as a rule, the device itself is supplied with two connecting fittings with gaskets and union nuts - “American”. If the meter has the ability to pulse readings, then the kit may also include the sensor itself with a connecting signal cable, although it also happens that they have to be purchased separately.

Prices for water meters

Water meters

DIY water meter installation

If you have purchased a metering device and decided to install it yourself, you should first of all become familiar with the basic rules for its installation.

The meter must be installed in a heated room (with permissible air temperature from + 5 to + 50%). Natural or artificial lighting must be provided. The location of the device must provide full access to it for taking readings, inspection, maintenance or replacement, and eliminate the possibility of mechanical damage.
Before self-installation, it is recommended to obtain technical installation specifications from the management company - they may differ slightly from one another in different regions.
The water meter should be installed as close as possible to the entrance of the water pipe to the apartment (house). It is recommended to choose a straight horizontal section for this, if possible. Between the input and the meter there should be no tees or other branches that are plugged or blocked by valves. Nothing should give any reason to an official representative of Vodokanal to assume the possibility of unauthorized withdrawal of water bypassing the meter.

There should be no branches or plugs between the riser and the meter

The meter will work correctly if the straight sections before and after it are observed - this reduces the likelihood of turbulent flows. The length of the straight section to the meter should be 3 Du, at the outlet - 1 Du. In relation to the most common water meters in apartment conditions, Du-15, this will be 45 and 15 mm, respectively. As a rule, this distance is ensured by the connecting fittings included in the kit.
At the entrance to the apartment (house) in front of the meter, it is necessary to install a shut-off valve. This will make it possible to shut off the general water supply to the intra-apartment water distribution system if it is necessary to carry out plumbing installation or repair work.
The meter impeller mechanism is quite sensitive to insoluble suspensions in water - grains of sand, pieces of scale, rusty flakes, etc. Not only do they have an abrasive effect on plastic parts, but the assembly of the upper and lower fastening of the impeller axis can be damaged, and the water meter will quickly fail. Therefore, a dirt filter is always installed in front of the metering device. Usually this is a so-called “oblique” filter, equipped with a mesh that retains solid suspensions. Mud filters on horizontal pipe sections must be installed with the beveled part down.

A mandatory element is a mesh filter for mechanical purification of water from large inclusions.
As a rule, such filters are made of brass. There are also polymer models for polypropylene pipelines, but master plumbers do not praise them and still recommend installing brass ones.

According to the technical conditions for installing a water meter, which are in force in many regions of the country, it is necessary to install a check valve after the water meter. This is done mainly in order to eliminate the possibility of “rewinding” the device readings, for example, by air flow, which some cunning consumers sometimes try to achieve by somehow connecting a vacuum cleaner.

Standard check valve
However, this valve also has quite practical significance - it will not allow the impeller mechanism to remain dry in the event of an emergency - loss of water in the system. There should always be water in the water meter chamber - it provides a kind of “lubrication” of the support bearings (stones) of the impeller axis.

Installation location of the check valve on a vertical section of the pipe when the water flow is directed from bottom to top

On vertical sections of the pipeline, when the water flow moves from bottom to top, such a valve is installed not after, but in front of the water meter, preventing water from flowing out of the device chamber when the pressure in the system drops.

The check valve can be structurally placed in the water meter connection fitting

By the way, when buying a water meter, you need to pay attention to one more detail - some devices already have a built-in reverse valve in their design - in this case, installing an additional device will not be required. In addition, such a valve can be a design feature of the water meter connecting fitting.

So, if everything has been purchased and the location for installing the water meter has been determined, you can proceed directly to installation.

The universal installation diagram of the device is shown in the diagram:

“Classic” water meter connection diagram

1 – entrance from the water main.

2 – shut-off valve (faucet). Its type is not of fundamental importance. Nowadays, ball valves with a lever handle or “butterfly” are more often used. If the installation is carried out through a polypropylene pipe, you can also use a special polymer tap, but only when you are confident in its quality, since, judging by the reviews, they are not always highly reliable. Many craftsmen recommend installing high-quality metal valves, which, by the way, will be easier to replace in case of failure.

An important note: if a ball valve is installed, it should not be used to regulate the intensity of the water flow. It should have two standard positions - “open” or “closed”. The half-closed state of such a valve leads to its rapid wear.

3 – “oblique” mud filter, which was already mentioned above.

4 – connecting fittings with American union nuts (5), usually included in the delivery package of the water meter.

6 – water meter.

7 – check valve. Its “classic” location is shown. In a vertical section with upward flow, it should be moved to a position between the filter and the connecting fitting.

8 – entrance to the internal water supply distribution. All water points without exception are allowed to be connected only after the meter.

Video - Basic guidelines for installing a water meter yourself

Before proceeding with installation, you should first lay out all the elements in the order in which they will be assembled. In this case, special attention should be paid to the arrows marked on the bodies of the products - they indicate the direction of water flow. A mistake in this matter is unacceptable - the system simply will not work.

In order not to make mistakes in the future, it is recommended to first arrange all the elements in the order of their location...

Now it is advisable to carry out the general assembly of the entire structure on the table “dry” without using seals. This is necessary to pre-calculate the number of thread turns for correct assembly (for example, so that the oblique part of the filter is guaranteed to be at the bottom), and to determine the total installation length of the resulting assembly. The resulting length must be compared with the existing section of the pipe on which the water meter is planned to be placed.

... and then perform dry assembly.
Be sure to control the location of the arrows - the direction of water flow. If you are “lucky” and there is the possibility of such a direct installation, then installation will be greatly simplified. But in some cases, the conditions for the location of pipes can force one to come up with more complex schemes - this will be discussed below.

It is advisable to start the installation by installing a shut-off valve. This will require turning off the water supply to the intra-house main, so it is better to carry out this stage immediately so as not to leave the entire riser without water supply for a long time.

After the specialist responsible for this has closed the riser, you can begin installation work. Usually there is always a tap at the entrance to the apartment from the riser. The pipe after the old tap must be cut with a grinder. In this case, a certain amount of water will definitely flow out of it - you should prepare a basin. Then you need to try to unscrew the old valve.

If everything is fine, the valve has been unscrewed and the threaded part on the pipe is in normal condition, then you can pack a new valve. To do this, it is best to use flax tow with special sealing pastes “Multipak” or “Unipack” - this is guaranteed to ensure the tightness of the connection.

It’s worse if the tap does not budge, or the threaded part on the pipe is unsuitable for further use - rusted or deformed. You will have to cut it off with a grinder and cut a new thread with a tool.

After the new tap is “packed”, it must be closed, and then the water supply to the entire riser can be resumed. All further internal installation work will be carried out from the installed valve.

“Packed” unit: oblique filter + connecting fitting with union nut

The next step is to screw together and pack the “oblique” filter and the meter connecting fitting. The assembled unit can be screwed into the faucet, taking into account the number of turns so that the filter bevel is at the bottom.

Assembly of the opposite unit: fitting with nut, check valve and fitting for connection with internal wiring

Next, the second connecting fitting and the check valve are assembled into a single unit. It’s funny, but a very common mistake made by novice home craftsmen is to “pack” the fittings, forgetting to put the “American” union nuts on them. You have to take it apart and rebuild it again.
The next, most important stage is connecting to the existing plumbing in the apartment. If it is made of steel VGS pipes, then it is recommended that the section from the meter to the nearest threaded connection suitable for tapping be made of plastic or polypropylene pipe - this will greatly simplify the work. The fitting transition is screwed onto the polymer pipe, a section of the required length is laid, which also ends with a fitting. The distance is maintained such that after connecting the prepared “fitting + valve” assembly to it, the required installation length of the water meter is maintained. For convenience of work, so as not to make a mistake, you can attach a water meter to the inlet and outlet “American” - this will make it easier to determine the required area.

If the wiring is already made of polymer pipes, then no special problems should arise at all.

A good example is meters mounted on metal and polypropylene pipes

After this unit is assembled, you can install the sealing gaskets and make the final installation of the water meter with the “American” tightening. Rubber gaskets are usually included in the kit, and experienced craftsmen still recommend replacing them with paronite gaskets of the same diameter. When tightening the union nuts, the required location of the meter scale is immediately established - so that it is as convenient as possible to take readings.

Very often, apartment owners combine the installation of a water meter with the modernization of the entire intra-apartment wiring and converting it to plastic or polypropylene. After the meter, you can install a collector comb, from where you can “distribute” water to the points of consumption.

Collector comb installed after the water meter

It is much more difficult to get out of a situation where the conditions of the room and the location of the pipes in it do not allow for the “classic” piping of the meter. You have to use imagination and ingenuity in order to place all the required design elements in a limited space.

So, for example, hot and cold pipes may be located too close to each other, and you have to go to the side with a bend:

The pipes are too close to each other. We go up the bend

The insertion section may be too short - then you will have to install hinges to ensure the placement of all the components:

In tight spaces you have to install hinges

It happens that water pipes are hidden in niches or boxes, but here you can find a good solution:

There are also more complex situations, for example, when pipes are hidden in a closed channel

After the water meter and all subsequent communication water supply units have been installed, the correct installation has been checked again, and a test run can be carried out. The shut-off valve must open very smoothly, gradually filling the system with water, in order to avoid water hammer, which can damage the metering device. To do this, it is necessary to open the tap at one of the water points to allow air to escape from the pipes.

After the system is filled with water, you can open the valve completely. The water tap is closed, and all connections are visually checked for leaks. If everything is normal, then the installation work can be considered complete.

Video: master class on installing water meters in a high-rise building

What to do after installing a water meter yourself

The first step after installing water meters is to invite the responsible employee of the water supply or housing maintenance organization. He must check the correctness and reliability of the installation of the device and seal it. Both union nuts on the connecting fittings must be sealed, which makes it impossible to dismantle the meter independently. In addition, the plug on the filter will probably be sealed, since unauthorized water can be drawn through this hole. Very often, an additional seal is placed on the plastic retaining ring connecting the lower part of the device to the housing of the counting mechanism.

After installing water meters, a specialist must be called to seal the devices

An employee of the management organization will take the readings available on the scale at the time of filling. It should be remembered that the transition to payment by meter will be made from this moment, regardless of when the device was installed and how many cubic meters it has already accumulated. The readings taken at the time of registration become the starting ones. This will be reflected in the acceptance certificate and in the product passport. At the same time, a deadline will be set for the next control verification of the water meter.

During operation, certain rules should be followed:

It is not allowed to carry out welding work on metal areas of indoor wiring.
The section of the water supply system with the meter must be securely fixed so that there are no vibrations in it, otherwise the device will quickly lose its functionality.
Water hammer in the system should be avoided. If the water supply to the house is stopped, then, if possible, you should temporarily close the inlet valve, and when opening it, follow the same principles as when you initially put the meter into operation.
If there is a possibility of exceeding the permissible pressure, a reducer should be installed.
The meter must be constantly filled with water - how this is achieved was described above.
It is necessary to ensure the cleanliness of the external surface of the device, to prevent the accumulation of dirt or dust on it, or the ingress of chemical active substances.
If the pressure in the system has noticeably decreased, the filter mesh is likely clogged. It is easy to clean - unscrew the plug and wash the mesh with a stream of water. However, do not forget that the cork is in a sealed state, and to carry out these actions it is necessary to invite a responsible employee of the management organization. It is prohibited to independently violate the integrity of the seal.

Meters are subject to periodic verification in laboratory conditions

When the next inspection is due, it is necessary to ensure that the device is delivered to the appropriate metrology laboratory. You should not do this yourself - suspicions may arise about unauthorized water withdrawal. It is better to invite a specialist who will dismantle the water meter and temporarily install another meter or simply a connecting pipe in its place. During the inspection period, payment will be made in accordance with current daily water consumption standards. By the way, some metering devices do not need to be completely dismantled - only the upper counting mechanism is sent for verification tests.

Video: An example of how water meters are verified

The verification procedure, with calling a technician for dismantling, carrying out the tests themselves, reinstallation and sealing, is, as a rule, a paid service and can be expensive. On forums on the Internet, there are many recommendations to simply purchase a new meter at the time of inspection - this may turn out even cheaper, especially since the old device should have paid for itself more than once. In this case, a new one should be chosen with exactly the same installation length. In this case, installing a new water meter will not be difficult - it is simply installed in place of the old one.

What verification features should you pay attention to?

There is a certain procedure according to which the date for rechecking the equipment is set. Depends on the details:

model;
when it was installed;
the day it was installed;
when the seal was installed at the manufacturer;
what period does the manufacturer offer?

But not always all characteristics are taken into account, sometimes only part. And even more often, two values are taken into account:

A predetermined period of time. Usually this is once every 4-6 years, the first for cold and the second for hot water.
The specific volume of liquid that passed through the device. In this case, the years of use since installation are not taken into account.

During what period is verification carried out?

In addition, utility services monitor the date on which verification will need to be carried out. When the month and year in which it is necessary to monitor the quality of the equipment’s operation approaches, a notification is sent to the owner’s address.

If such paper has not been received, but the owner knows that it is time for him to check the condition of the product, it is worth contacting the relevant authorities with an application and questions.

Current reasons for replacement

Few apartment owners know that replacement is only necessary when the device allegedly or accurately shows incorrect data. If you suspect that the meter is blatantly lying, it is necessary to invite DEZ specialists who check the water meter in the apartment, without the need for dismantling.

It should also be taken into account that the recommended timing for checking water meters is not the timing of their replacement. But this is exactly what the owners are trying to convince people who call from advertisements. The date on which it is necessary to change the water meter is regulated directly by the manufacturer, as the period when it is desirable, but not necessary, to perform a scheduled check of the mechanism. So, for a cold water meter the period is 6 years. And for the meter, hot replacement is recommended every four years.

The law that required such inspections was changed in 2004. The changes affected the deadlines - now there are no deadlines, inspections are illegal. The meters can operate for 12-18 years without any problems. The period indicated in the technical data sheet for the meter is in no way a guide to replacing the equipment. These data are often entered into the technical passport manually, which means they do not need to be considered regulations. The real reason for replacing meters is unreliable readings. Inspectors from the organization, as well as the owner himself, can report this.

Why do we need to change?

There are only two reasons why you will have to change your equipment to a new one. Either someone tampered with the meter, or it broke down due to low quality water.

Moreover, prohibited behavior can be called the use by the owner of a neodymium magnet or any other device, the main purpose of which is to slow down the functioning of the equipment. If an employee of the utility service or management company notices this, he will issue a fine and force you to replace the device.

All experiments aimed at saving more often than not end in fines and unnecessary stress. The technician almost always quickly determines why the counting machine has stopped spinning.

The only reason for which owners are not punished with sanctions is the poor quality of the liquid that the meter has to pass through itself. If there are a lot of foreign particles in it, a poor-quality mesh, or no filter, then along with the flow, debris will enter the equipment, which will quickly break delicate parts.

To prevent this, you should install a filter device. It will retain suspensions that could spoil the product. Its installation is not difficult, and there is no doubt about its effectiveness. In the catalog on our website there are many options that may suit you. If you find it difficult to choose a model, then write to the chat.

Rules for replacing water meters: why it should be done, how and who has the right to do it

The device is installed and sealed by organizations specializing in this procedure. This may be a management company if it has a license for this type of work.

It is also not difficult to do this yourself if you have the appropriate knowledge of plumbing. The main thing is to coordinate this process with the management company, since in an apartment building it will be necessary to shut off the riser during the work. Therefore, before you start on your own, it is worth consulting.

But pay attention, if the housing department resists and declares that to perform this relatively simple operation it is necessary to call a specialist, then it is better not to argue. Sometimes it's easier to obey the standard order.

Rules for replacing a water meter in an apartment: timing

The time during which the product can be used without rechecking is determined by the manufacturer. It is indicated in his registration certificate. The average period among Russian manufacturers is 8-12 years. It depends on the brand and model of the equipment.

SF-mix Clack up to 0.8 m3/h

SF-mix Runxin up to 0.8 m3/h

SF-mix manual up to 0.8 m3/h

Like all accounting tools, they must be regularly monitored. For hot water supply it is 4 years, for cold water supply it is 6 years. This must be done to ensure the quality of the measurements and the reliability of the technical device itself.

Ways to replace a water meter

There are only a couple of options - do it yourself or seek help from specialists. In any case, you need to obtain a certificate that will confirm that the device is in good working order and can be used for its intended purpose. It is recommended not to lose the registration certificate - it will be checked at each visit.

If a third party company is involved, it is advisable to review their licenses and permits. For personal execution, it’s worth considering whether you have all the tools and whether the riser is blocked.

After the device is installed, it is advisable to check whether the seals are in place.

Sealing water meters

The very fact of applying a seal to the water meter is confirmation of the correctness of the work performed and the use of its permitted type.
Therefore, the right to perform such an action is entrusted to special organizations - the local Gorvodokanal or HOA (may differ by region). To initiate such an action, the user of the device submits an application to this organization, where the date and time of arrival of the specialist is agreed upon.

After installing the seal on the water meter and bypass (if any), a corresponding act is drawn up, which is the basis for the management company to switch to calculating payments for water based on its actual consumption. Meter readings and transmission of data to the management company are carried out by the consumer himself.

We looked in detail at how to install water meters in an apartment. It's a hassle, but worth your attention, which will be reflected in your water bills. And every home craftsman can install the device with his own hands.

Rules for replacing water meters in an apartment yourself: is it possible to do it yourself?

Yes, it's real. For example, if it fails. But in any case, you will have to coordinate the process with the management company. First, you need to shut off the riser, but residents cannot do this at their own request; approval from the management company is required. She will set a day when a specialist will arrive to shut off the water supply, or will inform you when the owner can perform this work himself.

In addition, we once again advise you to first check with the housing department what position they adhere to. If this is a rigid position that such processes should be carried out by people with appropriate education, then you should not argue with them.

Recommendations

The consumer, especially when installing the device independently, is recommended to adhere to the following tips:

it is necessary to prepare for replacing the water meter in advance so as not to exceed the service life;
Before purchasing a device, you should consult with specialists from the management company regarding the choice of device model and study the technical characteristics of the meter for compliance with operating conditions;
before starting installation, it is necessary to study in detail the provisions of the passport or operating manual in order to take into account the manufacturer’s requirements for installation;
installation is carried out with the water supply taps closed;
the device is installed taking into account the arrow on the body indicating the direction of water supply, and is positioned so that the front panel is as accessible as possible for viewing;
The union nuts are tightened evenly, with the gaskets tightly compressed, ensuring the tightness of the connections.

Timely replacement will allow the consumer to use the water meter readings when paying for consumed resources. But if you are late in installing a new device, the readings of the old one will be considered invalid, with corresponding consequences for the owner.

We recommend: How to correctly calculate gas payments

Replacing a device that is not yet registered

Let's figure out how to change the water meter in an apartment if it has not yet been registered.

The procedure in this case is the simplest. You need to remove one product and put another in its place. After this, you need to invite a housing department employee to seal the equipment.

After this is completed, the owner of the apartment will receive the documents. Among them are a completed technical passport with all the necessary stamps, and an act authorizing use. All this is transferred to the DEZ, and then to the EIRC. Shipping is often handled by the same organizations that service the home.

Does the reason for the change affect the course of action?

The following factors may be possible reasons for replacement:

The service life has come to an end . In this case, when replacing the device, the owner will additionally have to dispose of the old meter;
The device was previously installed in violation of regulations .
Under these circumstances, dismantling and installation occurs without changes. But in such cases, the apartment owner will have to pay the amounts not received by the resource supply company due to improper installation;
Due to mechanical impact, the device was damaged and the seal was broken . During the replacement process, the homeowner will need to pay a fine. Then the procedure requires the involvement of a housing department employee, who will draw up a report on the identified violation.

How to change a water meter if it is registered

Regardless of the reason for which the old equipment had to be removed, the procedure for this action remains the same.

First, you must obtain permission to close the riser. After this, you need to replace one device with another, and later draw up a report on the serviceability of the new water meter. This is mandatory - you are not allowed to start using the device without documents.

On the paper you need to make a note about the readings of the old product and information about the purchased one. After completing the installation activities, it is advisable to go to the DEZ to register it and register it.

What was removed is not subject to any use, it can only be thrown away. Technical passports with existing marks from the services are submitted to the customer’s directorate.

AMETHYST - 02 M up to 2 cubic meters/day.

Aeration unit AS-1054 VO-90

Main table dispenser AquaPro 919H/RO (hot and cold water)

In addition, it is recommended to apply for permission to use. Usually it is issued simultaneously with the water commissioning act, and in some regions it replaces separate papers.

If there are no complaints in the DEZ, then the package is transferred to the EIRC. After this, the device is considered registered.

How to change water meters yourself

If you plan to perform all actions personally, then the algorithm will be as follows:

write to the Criminal Code a statement that the master needs to visit the house - he will issue a document confirming that all the seals are in place;
when you have the paper, you can close the taps and begin dismantling;
the nuts give in easily and move, but if you can’t budge them, then it’s easier to cut them off and then screw on others;
after removing the counting equipment, you need to look at the cleanliness of the pipes, both inside and outside and on both sides;
It is advisable to install at least a coarse filter before installing a new device, this will extend the service life of the equipment;
It is recommended to remember the need to clean the fitting and replace the gaskets with silicone or rubber ones;
do not use paronite parts - they will become tightly stuck in just a couple of years;
then the working apparatus is installed, the fasteners are screwed on;
an important nuance - do not over-tighten the fasteners, it is better to open the tap and check, if there is a leak, then tighten it a little more.

When should a technician change a device?

If you don’t have time to figure out how to change the cold and hot water meter yourself, or there’s no one to entrust this to, then it’s easier to invite a specialist.

With a professional, all home owner activities involve a few simple steps:

write a corresponding application;
find out the day on which you need to wait for the housing office employee;
meet the employee, provide him with access to the place;
do not interfere;
sign the act;
receive documents in hand and, if necessary, personally take them to the DEZ.

When the specialist says that he has finished everything, it would not be superfluous to open the tap with high pressure and check if there are any leaks and if the dial is spinning.

The main advantage of this method is that you don’t have to figure out what keys are needed to replace the water meter yourself. It’s enough just to let in the person who will do it. This is very convenient when there is not enough knowledge to perform the procedure or there is no time to carry it out. The disadvantage is that you will have to agree on a specific day and be in the apartment at the appointed time. But it is fair to note that even during personal installation without assistants, you will have to call people from this organization, since they must check the integrity of the seals and certify the correctness of all actions.

Is it legal to change meters yourself?

The service for replacing a water meter costs from 600 to 2000 rubles. You can replace the old meter with a new one yourself, having previously agreed with the relevant authorities. Call the management company or Vodokanal and find out if they will give you such permission. First of all, this applies to apartment buildings, where replacing a water meter independently involves shutting off the riser.

If you are given the go-ahead, you need to call a representative of the management company or water utility so that he can take readings from the old registered water meter and open the seal. You cannot do this on your own.

Installing a water meter is not a very difficult procedure. By law, this must be done by professional structures. In fact, compliance with such requirements is not strictly controlled. Therefore, you can carry out independent installation, then apply to the management company and call an inspector to check the functionality and seal the device.

If this is not done, the meter is considered illegal and its readings are invalid.

Installing the meter yourself saves money; you only have to spend money on the device itself and components.

Responsibility for late installation

In addition to information on how to replace the water meter yourself, it is worth understanding what will happen if you miss all the deadlines.

You should call a specialist who will check the functionality of the device and compare the indicators. The owner of the property is responsible for organizing the inspection, but in some cases the initiators are members of the inspection organization.

In addition, if a lack of seals or control marks is detected, the Housing Office may force the owner to pay 3 months of average water consumption for six months.

There will be no penalties, even if the verification is overdue for several years. But experts can draw up an order that will require you to pay inflated amounts.

Required Tools

Water consumption is measured using special instruments. Meters must be replaced every few years. A device for metering water consumption is installed for several reasons, in particular, to reduce water consumption.

When replacing a meter, a necessary tool is an adjustable wrench.

To carry out the replacement, you need to prepare the following equipment and tools:

Calibrator;
Adjustable wrench;
Plumbing linen;
Gaskets;
Soldering iron;
Adapter couplings.

When replacing meters, it is imperative to inspect the pipes for leaks and damage. If there are any malfunctions, they should be corrected immediately. There are arrows on the body of the measuring device that help in the installation of devices. They should be directed towards the flow of water. The nuts are initially tightened by hand and then a wrench is used.

Water meters are devices that help save water. After a few years, they need to be checked. If the device is faulty, then you need to replace the devices with new ones. It is quite possible to perform a similar procedure yourself, the main thing is to put in a little effort.