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Now most apartments and houses are equipped with water meters. This is the only fair mechanism for charging fees for this utility service. True, only the owner of the home can make it honest – that is, the installation costs are on him. There are many nuances in the installation procedure: from the price for the work to sealing and drawing up an act. Together with an expert, we tell everything about the replacement of water meters in 2022.
The procedure for replacing water meters
Period
Modern water meters are designed for 10-12 years of service. More expensive models may last longer. This is called the service life.
At the same time, each counter also has an inter-verification interval. This is the period after which the device needs to be checked – what if it broke? Until the meter passes verification, readings on it will not be accepted.
The term for checking hot water meters (DHW) is once every four years. Cold water meters (HVS) are checked every six years. Verification is carried out by private organizations that have the appropriate license. The price of the service is about 500 rubles for one device. After that, a verification certificate is issued, which must be submitted to the MFC or the management company – each region has its own rules.
Timetable
The water meter is replaced when it is faulty or its service life has expired. If the device does not display the measurement results, has mechanical damage, or the verification showed that the meter is operating in excess of the permissible error, it’s time to change it. Therefore, the schedule in each case is individual.
When a malfunction is discovered, the resident is obliged to immediately report it to the management company. You have 30 days to replace the meter. After that, utility bills for water begin to be charged at an increased standard.
You can replace the counter in any other cases. For example, do not call for verification, but simply buy a new device. Although it is more expensive, but suddenly you change all the plumbing after the previous owners of the apartment, and at the same time decided to update the metering devices.
Act
In the box, along with the counter, there is a product passport. The employee of the management company who performed the sealing will take one copy for himself, and in the second he will make notes for you. If you call for verification, you will be issued a new act on the work performed.
Where to go to replace water meters
– An ordinary apartment water meter can be replaced by any fitter of plumbing equipment. This work belongs to the 3-4 qualification category in terms of complexity (that is, not the highest class – editor’s note), it is performed by one worker. No license is required for these works. It is not forbidden if a resident replaces the meter on his own, the guarantee for the device does not disappear, the expert says.
How is the replacement of water meters
Make sure the old appliance is no longer working
For example, it has expired. Or the device has stopped changing indications. Look at the meter passport. There are marks indicating when the device was manufactured and installed. The verification periods for pipes with hot and cold water are also indicated. If you do not have a document, a copy must be kept by the management company or the water supplier (local water utility) in your locality. Call the help desk and they’ll tell you.
Buy a new appliance
You can order on the Internet, find in the construction market, building market or plumbing department. Four types of counters are on sale: tachometric, vortex, ultrasonic and electromagnetic. It makes sense to install tachometers in an apartment – low price, simple installation. There are also counters for hot and cold water. But in 2022, most devices are universal.
Preparing for installation
– According to the rules, the dismantling and installation of the meter takes place in the presence of a representative of the management company. In fact, this almost never happens. As a rule, it is enough if you save the old meter or at least a photo of its display with readings and number until the moment of sealing, – explains Gleb Gilinsky, Head of the Association “Managerial personnel of the municipal economy”.
Water meter installation
A new device is being installed. After that, check if the water is running, if there are any leaks. Look at the scoreboard: a special wheel rotates at a serviceable counter, which shows that accounting is in progress. The numbers will start to change.
Sealing
After installation, it is imperative to call a representative of the resource supplier company to seal the meters and put them into operation. In most cities, meters are sealed by a management company or a local water utility. By law, the meter is sealed in the same month as the installation. The service is free.
Check that the new meter is registered
– After sealing, the new meter number will appear in the information systems for the calculation of utility resources and in receipts for the communal apartment. You will start taking readings from this device. If the new information is not displayed, you need to contact the MFC with an act on putting the meter into operation, obtained during sealing, – says Gleb Gilinsky.
How much does it cost to replace water meters
Replacing a water meter in 2022 costs 2000-3000 rubles, including the cost of the device. Management companies themselves are happy to take on this work. Then you do not have to wait for a representative for sealing. Although you have the right to call your specialist, but in the future you will have to order a seal separately.