Each apartment building has communication risers running through each apartment. There are risers for water supply, heating and sewerage. They are made from durable and reliable material, which guarantees their long service life and reliable operation. But even the most reliable and durable elements of each building require repair over time, and under certain conditions, replacement of risers in an apartment building is required. The legislation of the Russian Federation contains precise information about exactly how this procedure is performed, who is responsible for the replacement, and how repair work is paid for.
Legislative regulation
In the Russian Federation, the procedure for replacing a sewer riser or other parts of communication systems is carried out in the correct sequence of actions and based on certain requirements. For this purpose, the provisions of the following regulations are taken into account:
- GOST R 56534-2015.
- “Rules for the maintenance of property belonging to an apartment building,” which were approved by the provisions of PP No. 491.
- Methodological manuals No. 2-04-2004.
Since the risers belong entirely to the entire building, it is the management company involved in the maintenance of this building that must take care of the timely replacement of risers in an apartment building. The legislation of the Russian Federation provides for the possibility for direct residents of apartments in the building to carry out this process, but only with special permission from the regional administration and neighbors.
What else can be done to improve heating in the apartment?
If you set yourself the task of how to improve heating in an apartment, then perhaps the measures listed will not be enough for this. In many cases, a good result can be achieved by ordinary window insulation, which reduces heat loss. A heat-reflecting film located on the wall behind the radiator may also be useful. Together with the fact that the heating will be replaced (pipes and clogged radiators), such measures will ensure the flow of additional heat into the apartment.
Foil screen behind the radiator
In those cases when you want to have complete independence and not depend on the timing of the start-up of central heating, you should think about how to convert the heating in the apartment to individual heating. This task is far from simple, but if you have a gas water heater installed, then it is quite possible that you will be able to get permission to turn off the central heating and install your own gas boiler.
Of course, this will require significant financial costs and lengthy approvals, which will not necessarily be completed successfully. But replacing the heating system (central with individual) will allow you to adjust both the temperature in the apartment and the ability to turn on the heating at any time you need according to your needs.
In many cases, especially in old houses, the heating has been running for many years, and sometimes the pipes become clogged with salt deposits, and even begin to leak due to corrosion. One of the measures to improve heating in an apartment is replacing pipes, risers and radiators.
In most apartments, heating systems have not been replaced for decades, which have now worn out to a large extent. To increase the efficiency of the system (increase its efficiency), increase heat transfer from radiators and, accordingly, the level of comfort, you will probably need to replace the heating pipes in the apartment.
Replacing your heating system can significantly improve its performance
Is it common property?
Based on the provisions of Art. 36 LCD sewer riser, as well as other risers in the house, are common house property, since they pass not only through the apartments, but also through the entrance. The owners of this property are the owners of apartments in a multi-apartment building. They are the ones who are responsible for the integrity and actual use of these risers.
If any problems or malfunctions arise, the riser must be replaced. The procedure is carried out by specialists from the previously selected management company. Residents of the house must pass on the necessary information to the employees of the management company so that they can then carry out high-quality and prompt repairs.
Whose property is the sewer riser
Legislative documents
If pipes leak outside the apartment, utility workers must repair them, without charging additional fees.
- The term “common property” is contained in Art. No. 36 Housing Code of Russia. In addition, in the “Rules for the maintenance of common household property”, which were introduced by the Government of the Russian Federation by its Resolution No. 491 of 08/13/06.
Paragraph 5 of this document indicates that cold and hot water supply risers are part of the common property of the copyright holders of apartments in a residential building.
- As for the sewerage system, its property ownership is determined by paragraph No. 5 of Russian Government Decree No. 354. Below is a quote from this document.
“The common property of apartment owners in a residential building means the building’s drainage engineering infrastructure. It includes sewer outlets, shaped elements, plugs, risers, waste and exhaust pipes, branches of risers to butt joints in apartments.”
Note! Since sewer pipes are common property, they must be maintained and repaired by the company that services your home. Funds for this are taken from the monthly utility bills of apartment owners
- In other words, the instructions clearly say that you do not have to pay anything extra to your utility companies if a sewer pipe that is located outside your apartment leaks.
What to do in case of an accident
- If your apartment is flooded, write a request to the management company. When there is an emergency, call the emergency service.
Sample Leak Report.
- Employees of these bodies, in the presence of witnesses and interested parties, will draw up a “Leak Report”.
- The document will record which apartments were flooded, indicate the cause of the problem, describe the damaged property, etc.
- This act is extremely important because it names the culprit of the situation.
For example, if it is proven that homes were flooded due to a rotten riser, then the blame will fall on the utility workers. Then the question: “the sewer riser is leaking - who should repair it” should not arise.
When experts determine that the owner of the apartment changed equipment without obtaining permission, or caused mechanical damage to the system, he will be to blame.
When is replacement required?
The risers can be properly repaired or even replaced. Heating risers in an apartment building deteriorate most quickly. The need to replace this equipment arises under the following conditions:
- the riser fails, so there is no possibility for its further safe operation;
- the owner or tenant of the apartment plans to carry out major repairs, affecting even parts of the water supply or sewerage system;
- replacing the riser in all apartments is part of the general building overhaul;
- There is a blockage in the pipe, so some part of it needs to be dismantled.
It is through prompt and timely replacement of the riser that various negative consequences of operating faulty or poorly functioning equipment can be prevented. If the owners of the apartments in the building have not sent a message to the management company that the pipe is in disrepair, then the employees of this company can decline responsibility for material damage caused to the owners of residential premises.
What does the owner pay?
Some owners of residential premises in an apartment building have a misconception that utility workers must repair all equipment in the apartment free of charge.
According to Article 36 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation and Government Decree No. 491 as amended. dated March 26, 2014 all equipment located directly in the owner’s apartment is the personal property of the resident.
In this regard, this equipment is repaired at the expense of the owner.
This list includes:
- Maintaining gas and electric stoves in working order.
- Replacement and repair of central heating batteries, as well as pipes supplying them.
- Repair of electrical equipment, including indoor electrical cables.
- Troubleshooting any problems with plumbing equipment.
- Intercom repair.
- Emergency elimination procedure.
If there is a breakdown or breakdown of equipment related to general building communications in the owner’s apartment, the management company is obliged to eliminate them without charging additional fees.
At the same time, there are deadlines for eliminating accidents. The responsibilities of managers also include those cases when intra-apartment equipment was damaged due to a malfunction of the common building equipment.
Let's assume that the heating battery in the apartment bursts due to the fact that for some period heat was not supplied to it. In this case, the management company is obliged to replace the battery at its own expense. These conditions are regulated by Government Decree No. 354 of 05/06/11 (Article 149).
A management company that tries to charge residents an additional fee for eliminating such accidents or does not eliminate them on time violates the articles of the Law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights” because it provides low-quality services.
If such situations arise, the owner can file a written complaint with the Criminal Code, and in case of further inaction, contact the Housing Inspectorate, Rospotrebnadzor or the Prosecutor's Office.
If an accident occurs in the owner’s apartment due to a break in a common water supply or heating pipe, the responsibility for eliminating the consequences falls on the shoulders of managers. The owner has the right to demand that the organization carry out cosmetic repairs and compensate for material damage.
It is also necessary to contact regulatory organizations in the event that the management company demands an additional payment from the owner for eliminating breakdowns of common building communications located inside the apartment.
Such actions violate Article 310 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation.
If the actions of the management company are recognized as illegal by the regulatory authorities, the owner can file a lawsuit demanding payment of 50% of the amount of the fine imposed on her.
Who should change risers in an apartment building?
The procedure for replacing this complex equipment is carried out directly by employees of the management company. The costs of this process are included in the maintenance of the house. All apartment owners in such a building must pay for the maintenance of common property.
If a complete replacement of water supply risers in an apartment building is required, then the management company can use the funds accumulated for major repairs of the building to implement this process. But this is only possible with the prompt replacement of risers that are out of order and cannot be repaired.
If building occupants decide to replace a riser that is still in working order, they must complete this process at their own expense. The cost of replacing risers in an apartment building is considered high, so the owners of apartments in the building rarely make such a decision. It is they who must purchase the materials necessary for this process, as well as hire specialists to do the work.
Types of repairs
When troubleshooting and preventing the system, routine repairs are performed, usually its cost is included in utility bills. If you want to replace pipes due to rusty drips or regularly clogged risers, you must not forget about the restrictions and legal aspects. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you still turn to specialists; we tackle such tasks like crazy.
Photos of bathroom renovations and pipe replacements
What you need to know:
- legal side - part 1 of article 25 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, these changes require approval;
- Great responsibility, since water supply risers are common property;
- water pressure and temperature depend on the type of water supply and even on the type of your home;
A major overhaul involves a complete replacement of the entire hot and cold water supply network.
When approaching this issue, you must be fully competent in this difficult issue, and our team of professionals will be happy to share their experience and promptly correct any shortcomings.
Nuances for municipal housing
If the building contains only municipal apartments, which citizens use on the basis of a social tenancy agreement, then the procedure is carried out at the expense of the municipality, which is the owner of these residential premises.
The equipment replacement procedure must take into account numerous legal requirements. Replacement of risers in an apartment building should be carried out only after a preliminary study of the condition of the property, as well as drawing up an inspection report.
What responsibilities does the management company have?
Management companies are engaged in servicing different houses, for which they take into account different legal requirements. Replacement of risers in an apartment building should be carried out in the presence of significant defects that cannot be repaired. For this purpose, funds are used that are contributed monthly by the owners of apartments in the building for the maintenance of common property.
The responsibilities of each management company include the following:
- maintaining property belonging to the home in perfect working order;
- maintenance of various communications connected to the building;
- carrying out emergency work when the need arises;
- carrying out routine repairs.
The company's responsibilities include replacing risers. Only with working and reliable equipment is the safety and comfort of living in a building ensured for citizens. If a large sum of funds is required to complete the work, and therefore there is not enough money in the management account, then the company may require residents to transfer additional funds. But if citizens refuse to pay this money, the company must carry out repairs using its capital.
Management company specialists must deal with the replacement of sewer and heating risers, as well as heating risers, ventilation or electrical supply elements.
Communications under the law: whose property and responsibilities?
Water supply, sewerage and electricity are communications that serve all residents of an apartment building, which means they are considered common property. Risers, including water supply, which are located in the apartment, are just one of them, and in accordance with Art. 39 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, they are maintained at the expense of residents on utility bills, which the owners pay every month.
Unlike risers, those pipes that extend from them and connect to faucets or to a gas stove are considered the private property of the residents of the house and are maintained at their individual expense.
It is important not to get confused here: the pipes that branch from the riser to the first connecting connection are also common property, and the management company is responsible for it, and after the connection they are already private, which only the owner should repair.
In Art. 161 part 1.1 clause 5 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation states that the management of common property must ensure the constant readiness of utilities, metering devices and other property from the common property of apartment residents, as well as give citizens the opportunity to use communal resources for which they pay money.
The property that ensures that residents receive home services is enshrined in Appendix 1 of Government Decree No. 354 of the Russian Federation “On the provision of utility services to owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings.” Among others, the following are considered common property:
- Sewer riser in the toilet.
- Water supply riser (DHW and cold water supply).
- Gas riser.
- Heating riser pipes.
It will be useful for you to learn about the nuances of operating meters in articles from our experts. Read about what to do and where to go if the meter breaks down, and whether it is necessary to seal it.
What responsibilities does the owner have?
Not only the housing office at the address of the house must carry out certain work related to maintaining the property of the building in optimal condition, since the owners of apartments in this building directly have some responsibilities. These include:
- residents of the house at a general meeting decide on various issues related to repairs or replacement of risers;
- citizens cannot carry out repair work on their own;
- they must only ensure that the property is in optimal condition;
- If any accidents or additional problems are identified, it is important to contact the management company employees in a timely manner.
If the management is carried out by the residents' council, then the repairs are carried out not by the management company, but by another specialized company. Its services must be paid based on the price list. Funds for these purposes are taken from the general account of the house. It is this company that must bear warranty obligations regarding the work performed.
How can I do this for free through the management company or housing office?
The problem of replacing a heating riser can arise for many technical reasons. In this case, routine repairs are necessary.
This issue is regulated by the following documents:
- rules for the maintenance of apartment buildings adopted at the general meeting of residents;
- norms and rules for the technical operation of housing stock (SNiP and VSN);
- Methodological recommendations MDK 2-04.2004.
If, according to the specified documents, the heating riser does not meet the requirements and creates a lot of problems, then homeowners have the right to demand a free replacement (on account of monthly payments). There is a certain procedure for this. First of all, a general meeting of residents is held, at which a decision is made on the need for the event. If it is not possible to convene a meeting, then a collective appeal is written.
Where to contact?
If the apartment building is owned by the residents, then the issue of major or current repairs is the responsibility of the management company, where the corresponding application is submitted. In case of preservation of municipal property, responsibility for carrying out repairs lies with the local executive power. You should contact the housing office that is in charge of the house.
Required documents
The following documents must be attached to the repair application:
- Riser inspection report. To draw it up, a specialist plumber is called in to determine the type and extent of damage.
- A certificate confirming the absence of arrears in payments for the maintenance of the house and payment for other utilities.
- Technical passport of the house.
Work to replace the riser will affect the interests of residents through whose apartments it passes. That is why the consent of all interested residents is necessary (in a collective application). If there is a decision of the general meeting, then separate consent is not required.
Drawing up an application
After identifying defects and inspecting damaged elements, an application is submitted to the head of the management company (ZhEK). It is written in free form, but should contain the following main points:
- information about the owner of the property;
- reasons for contacting, description of damage and confirmation of irreparability;
- essence of the request (repair or replacement, scope of work).
The application is drawn up in 2 copies.
One of them is sent to the management company. The applicant's copy is marked with a date and signature confirming receipt. We do not recommend completing the documents yourself. Save time - contact our lawyers by phone:
8 (800) 350-14-90
Duration of the procedure
The period for consideration of the application is regulated by clause 40 of the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of August 13, 2006 No. 491 , the management company is given 5 days for this. It has the right to send its representatives to conduct its own inspection.
For this, experienced specialists are usually involved, giving an expert opinion on the extent of damage, the causes and culprit of its occurrence. After this, a deadline for the work is agreed upon that satisfies both parties.
To carry out the work, the management company enters into an agreement with a specialized organization. An estimate of repair costs, incl. for the purchase of materials, dismantling, installation and testing. For his part, the owner must ensure free access to the work area and normal working conditions. Control of execution remains with the management company.
Who pays for it?
Repair work is paid for by the direct owners of apartments in an apartment building. They must contribute the required amount of funds monthly for the maintenance of common property. All capital work, which includes the replacement of the riser, is carried out without additional payment. An exception is the situation when the structure can still be used for its intended purpose, but the immediate residents decide to make a replacement in order to improve the condition of the building. This also includes a situation where residents have a lot of debt for housing and communal services.
If the housing office employees at the address of the house insist on collecting additional funds for the work, then this is an illegal action on the part of the company. Therefore, residents can file a complaint with the prosecutor’s office or file a statement of claim in court.
The cost of work associated with replacing the riser ranges from 4 to 15 thousand rubles. The exact price depends on the region in which the apartment building is located, as well as on the company that the management company or direct residents of the building contact. Before concluding an agreement, you should make sure that the company is included in the SRO.
Who should pay for pipe replacement?
At whose expense will the repair work be carried out is the main question of interest to residents of an apartment building. Obviously, the cost of such installation will be significant, because the riser will have to be completely replaced.
There will be expenses not only when installing a new heating system, but also when dismantling the old one and the consequences of its breakthrough.
Residents do not have to pay anything extra in the event of an accident . They pay monthly contributions for major repairs per 1 square meter of living space.
The area is multiplied by the established tariff and the amount of the regular payment is obtained. Residents have already paid for all sorts of potential breakdowns of heating or other engineering systems.
Collecting additional money from residents is illegal; the actions of the management company must be appealed to the Housing Inspectorate or court.
If the owner of one of the apartments decides to independently replace his heating riser, he will be held accountable. He will then have to eliminate at his own expense all the changes he introduced.
When can I get a waiver from the Criminal Code?
Even if apartment owners believe that it is time to replace the risers, this work is not always performed by the management company’s employees. This is due to the fact that work is carried out only in the presence of serious damage or failure of the riser.
Therefore, a refusal to replace the riser may be received in the following situations:
- there are no compelling reasons for carrying out repairs;
- apartment owners have large debts for housing and communal services, so the available funds are not enough to complete the process;
- the accident occurred as a result of mechanical impact on the structure by a citizen;
- The owner of one apartment independently decides to replace the riser.
In other situations, management company employees are required to accept applications from residents of the house.
Rules for installation work
Work can only begin when all water has been drained from the risers and heating system. To do this, you will need to close the valves in the basement of your house. If you did everything correctly, then when you open the water drain valve in your apartment, you will hear a characteristic noise from the air inside the system and all the remaining coolant will leave the heating system. Now you can start replacing the pipes in the apartment. The installation sequence will be described taking into account the fact that you have chosen a galvanized pipe.
Thread cutting. At the very beginning, we cut the riser using a hacksaw or a small grinder with a metal disc installed. If you are going to replace all the risers along with the heating system, then you cannot do without a preliminary agreement on joint work. The order of cutting threads using a die must be done in the following sequence. First of all, you will need to remove a small chamfer on the pipe so that you can install the die without any problems. If the pipe has been painted, be sure to remove the paint before cutting the thread. Having installed the die in the holder, we begin to slowly scroll it with little effort. It is recommended to make two or three turns forward and then half a turn back. The pipe should be held with a wrench to prevent it from rotating with the die. The thread length must be at least five turns so that the fitting or coupling can be connected to the pipe without problems.
Installation of liners and risers
When working with galvanized pipe, special attention must be paid to sizing. When installing fittings made of brass or cast iron, you should not be too zealous, as this is a very fragile material
You will definitely need to use a winder. This can be a special sanitary linen or polymer material. To prevent it from fading during operation, it is recommended to apply a small layer of silicone sealant, drying oil or paint to the threads. If you plan to install shut-off valves for each heating device, which will allow, if necessary, to replace it without shutting down the entire heating system, then this must be done using a jumper. It is best to use modern ball valves.
Pressure testing of the heating system and its startup. After completing the work, you will need to remove air from the system and check the pressure. How can this be done at home? To do this, you will need to close the valves on the heating devices. Then, closing the water outlet, slowly fill the system to avoid possible water hammer. As soon as the noise of incoming water stops, open the second valve and you can begin inspecting the heating system for possible leaks. Excess air can be vented using a Mayevsky tap on the upper floors.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=B1XuHj04M5o
Thus, if everything is done correctly and consistently, you can replace the heating pipes in the apartment yourself, without the help of a specialist. However, if you still decide to turn to the masters of their craft, we recommend this company!
How are risers replaced in an apartment building?
The process depends on which riser is being replaced. It can be a heating, sewer or water supply riser. Typically, the following actions are performed for this:
- the entire riser in the house is blocked;
- the remaining liquid is removed from the system;
- if the sewerage is blocked, then all residents are warned that draining the water is not allowed;
- old pipes or only one section of the riser are dismantled;
- if the entire structure is being replaced, then sections of the pipe must be removed even from the interfloor ceilings;
- new pipes are installed;
- After all work is completed, the new system is launched and tested.
The timing of replacing risers in an apartment building may vary, as it depends on the number of floors in the building, as well as on what new pipes are installed. Typically, the process is completed by experienced professionals within one day. All residents of the house are warned in advance about the planned procedure.
Planned home renovation
How to change the water supply system during a major renovation of an apartment? The event is long-awaited for everyone, but a lot of resources are spent, and most importantly, there is a lack of a flexible approach to all residents of this house. It would seem like a job that takes a couple of hours in an established system: remove old pipes and weld new ones, but in reality it’s not so simple. Residents of the house must give consent (usually this is only 30-40% of the residents) and are required to be at home during the work and wait their turn.
Practice shows that this happens in one case out of ten. As a rule, replacement of the water supply of a house is carried out at intervals, taking three apartments located vertically. And as you might guess, it is not always possible to come to an agreement with neighbors about carrying out work - some have fresh renovations, tiles have been laid, others are at work, and so on.
Ultimately, the time for the allotted event comes to an end, without reaching an agreement with the neighbors, your pipe is welded on top of the worn-out riser, reports are signed and the work is supposedly done! And you are left with a time bomb, with daily use.
