Metering devices, or meters, that allow you to count the amount of hot water consumed are being installed in an increasing number of apartments. Taking into account current regulations, their installation allows for significant savings, since it is much more profitable to pay for water as you consume it.
All such devices must be verified through the Arshin state system, after which the data about it is entered into the database. Any user can check information about verification periods by simply entering the serial number and waiting for the results to load.
However, if the meter stops calculating water consumption before the verification period, you will have to perform a number of actions to avoid penalties from the company supplying hot water. If you try to use the meter further, this may result in recalculation of consumed water at the standard rate, which will significantly increase costs.
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External signs of damage
A malfunction of the meter can be determined by the following signs:
- Too little or, conversely, too much water consumption for the accounting period (1 month).
- When the taps are turned on, the dial indicator behaves incorrectly: it does not rotate, rotates too slowly, or rotates in the opposite direction.
- The seal of is broken : fogged or cracked glass almost always signals a breakdown and leads to incorrect water consumption readings.
If these signs are present, the meter will at a minimum need to be repaired, and at maximum - replaced.
What is considered a breakdown?
The regulations contain complete details of the process of working with hot and cold water meters. This means that the text examines possible problems in the operation of devices and the reasons for them. Thus, paragraph 81 (12) contains the following options for meter failure:
- not displaying data;
- violation of the integrity of fillings (quite common);
- mechanical damage to parts or equipment housing;
- measurement error deviation exceeds the permissible limit;
- expiration of the device's service life without verification.
Attention: the owner of the premises in which it is installed is responsible for the integrity of the equipment.
Download for viewing and printing: Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of May 6, 2011 N 354 On the provision of utility services to owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings
VII. The procedure for accounting for utilities using metering devices
81.12. The metering device is considered to be out of order in cases
Causes of the problem
Depending on the reasons for the failure, the malfunction may manifest itself in different ways.
If the counter has stopped spinning , that is, the dial indicator has stopped, then various malfunctions may cause this:
- failure of the counting mechanism itself;
- failure of the device rotor;
- if the quality of tap water is low, the coarse filter may become clogged, followed by the flow element;
- incorrect connection, for example, installing a meter for cold water supply in a pipe with hot water and vice versa;
- excessively high temperature of hot water (over 90°C), which can lead to failure of the device;
- outside interference in the mechanism in order to save money using magnets, needles or other folk remedies.
If the meter spins in the opposite direction , then the reasons for this may be problems with both the meter itself and the plumbing system as a whole.
Such reasons include:
- incorrect installation of the meter yourself, in which the direction of water flow is mixed up;
- the absence of a check valve, which is a mandatory element when installing a meter, but is often not included in the meter kit;
- large difference in pipeline pressure (between common and individual pipes);
- incorrect installation of the boiler, in which water overflows from a pipe with cold water into a pipe with hot water;
- physical wear and tear of the metering device.
If the meter spins disproportionately to the water flow (too poorly), then the reasons for this may be physical wear of the mechanism or clogging of the flow element.
Also, slow rotation of the counter may indicate the use of a fraudulent scheme using a magnet.
If, for example, such a breakdown was discovered after purchasing an apartment, then it is worth checking whether the previous owner used a magnet to slow down the meter.
Read about the requirements for drinking water here.
Reasons why the hot water meter does not spin
There are several main reasons why the device could fail:
- The coarse filter at the inlet was damaged or missing, which caused a fairly large piece of debris to get into the impeller of the device, which led to it jamming.
- Natural wear and tear that occurs due to active use of the device.
- The operating conditions of the meter were violated. For example, water could be supplied through the pipes, the temperature of which was higher or lower than permissible. The temperature range is indicated in the service documentation or passport of the metering device.
- The meter was deformed due to external forces, for example, a strong impact.
In all these cases, a complete stop is possible, and specialist intervention will be required to eliminate the malfunction by replacing the meter. We recommend leaving a request for this service on our RosAccount service. The visit of a metrologist is carried out only by prior agreement with the customer. The new counter will also be displayed in the Arshin system. By its serial number you will be able to find out when it will be necessary to undergo verification for the first time after installation in the pipeline.
Actions of the apartment owner
Self-repair of the meter is not provided, since it will break the sealing of the meter.
The only thing that can be done is to try tapping the meter, since the cause of the problem could be a blockage of debris or rust in the flow mechanism of the device.
When making such “repairs,” you should be careful not to damage the seal or the structure of the mechanism. Therefore, if tapping does not help, then further independent actions of the apartment owner are over.
According to the law, if a malfunction of the meter is detected, you must contact the management company with a written statement. After the application, an employee of the management company must come and be obliged to witness the breakdown and remove the seals of the device.
According to the law, the apartment owner is given 30 days to eliminate the malfunction or replace the meter. During this period, utility bills will be paid according to the average water consumption for the last 6 months.
If the meter is still under warranty, you can contact the manufacturer to request warranty repairs.
If the warranty has expired, then you can repair it at your own expense, but taking into account the fact that the average cost of repair will cost the same amount as buying a new device, it is more advisable to purchase a new water meter.
After installing the meter yourself or with the help of a plumber, you must call a specialist from the control organization to install seals, take readings from the meter and register it.
Application for sealing a water meter - sample.
Reason four - change in pressure
Quite often, the readings on the meter directly depend on the water pressure. The flow rate is directly affected by the diameter of the installed flow pipes. If this parameter is the same everywhere, then with a sufficiently strong pressure, water will be consumed much faster. As a result, the meter needle will rotate much faster.
Due to this, the situation can be completely opposite. If the pressure decreases, the needle may stop spinning altogether. This must be taken into account when troubleshooting problems with the meter.
What happens if a malfunction is discovered during an inspection?
If a malfunction of the meter is discovered during the inspection, the apartment owner faces serious financial losses.
Paid utilities for water will be recalculated according to consumption standards based on the number of persons registered in the apartment, and the number of actual residents does not matter, so absent citizens will also be taken into account.
In this case, the period that the device was faulty does not matter, since the owner of the apartment will not be able to document it : recalculation will be made for a period of 3 to 6 months before the inspection.
To avoid this situation, it is recommended to independently check the functionality of the metering devices from time to time.
Reason six - intentional interference with the operation of the device
Often, the stability of the meter and its serviceability are influenced by those who want to deliberately slow down or leave the operation of the device in order to save money when paying for utilities.
Some craftsmen try to stop the devices using a variety of methods - a magnet, needles and other objects at hand. Such interference can completely disable the device, thereby causing more serious problems and causing more serious waste of money.
Removed and installed
To repair the meter, you need to remove it. In this case, the seals are broken, about which a report is drawn up. It’s not difficult to install a new hot or cold water meter yourself, but to register and seal it, the services of specialists or representatives of central organizations (Vodokanal) will come in handy.
To prevent any questions, it is best to contact professionals immediately. This way the work will take less time and in case of any shortcomings, you will have someone to ask.
Why is it necessary to monitor the serviceability of metering equipment?
The above government resolution deals with disputes between providers and consumers of services. The use of faulty equipment allows utility companies to legally collect additional funds from a citizen. Moreover, the latter are not a fine.
The logic is this:
- The citizen is obliged to pay for the resource consumed. This is taken into account by a specialized device.
- If the water meter is working properly, then the bill is issued according to the readings.
- If there is no equipment or it is faulty, then consumption is calculated according to the established norm per person registered in the apartment.
Most families use much less hot and cold water than is required. Consequently, recalculation will lead to a significant increase in the amounts in the payment order.
What happens if the controller detects a breakdown?
According to the standards, control inspections of water meters are carried out no more than once every three months. If a problem is discovered during the inspection, the utility company will recalculate consumption according to the norm. They will be based on the date:
- sealing (if done recently);
- last check.
Each of the operations is accompanied by the drawing up of an act. The specialist will look at the consumer’s file and determine the last time the device was in working order. From this date recalculation will be made (for 3 - 6 months). It will be impossible to prove the illegality of such an operation.
Problem No. 5: damage or breakdown of the meter itself
Meter users often notice the following problem: the pressure is on, but the needle does not move. At other times, it moves jerkily or stops moving altogether. Causes and solutions:
- Perhaps the device was initially defective or received some damage.
- During installation, it accidentally fell or was knocked during transportation.
- If the device itself can be repaired, the problem itself should be examined.
- If replacing parts is not possible, it is better to buy a new meter.
The hot water meter does not spin: what to do? In any situation, if you notice this problem, do not try to fix it yourself. Call specialists who will inspect and repair the device.
Recommendations for use
When purchasing equipment, be sure to check the delivery package. It includes a strainer, two connectors and nipples for them, gaskets and nuts, as well as a check valve. The device passport must be printed using a typographic method, and the serial numbers inside must match the data indicated on the case.
When using a water meter, you need to ensure that it is in good working order. Pipes must be in proper condition, all joints must be sealed. Regular inspection will help to avoid sudden breakdowns, according to the regulations once every 4 years (for hot ones) and once every 5 years (for cold ones).
It must be remembered that an individual measuring device is the property of the apartment resident. Also, Article 13 of Part 5 of the Federal Law of 2009 N261-FZ states that premises owners bear full responsibility for the installation and use of indoor water meters. Accordingly, the tenant of the house must pay for repairs and maintenance. If the device is new and the warranty period is still valid, the manufacturer undertakes to provide a working device in the event of a breakdown.
What will be the bill for the repair time?
A citizen’s independent application for permission to remove the water meter for repairs does not lead to financial losses. This situation was taken into account when drawing up the interaction methodology. Resource suppliers are required to make accruals during the repair period (no more than 30 days) based on average indicators.
That is, the accountant calculates average consumption for the last year by adding up the indicators for twelve months and dividing the result by their number. Based on the data received, accruals are made. They are approximately equal to the amount of the hot water bill that a person pays regularly.
