The Government of the Russian Federation has established country-wide rules for interaction between utility service providers and consumers. These hold citizens responsible for the metering devices they use. If the hot water meter fails, utility companies may impose sanctions on the owner of the premises.
The user must monitor the device. After all, it can break without outside interference in its work. There are many reasons for this: from the quality of the device to environmental influences. Let's look at what to do in a situation where the meter no longer actually displays the volumes of hot and cold water used. Where to go and how to behave so as not to get into trouble.
Normative base
The rules for the work of public utilities with the population are established by the Government of the Russian Federation. These are described in detail in Resolution No. 354 of 05/06/11. The procedure for identifying a faulty meter and eliminating breakdowns in the legal field is described in paragraphs 81 to 85.
Procedure in case of water meter breakdown
Immediate action will help keep finances in the family’s wallet. For the period of repair or replacement of the metering device, the user is transferred to the minimum housing and communal services tariffs. But to do this, you need to notify the company about what happened, write a statement and turn to the services of centralized organizations.
At the request of the user, an inspector comes, removes the seal and draws up a report. After this, you can carry out all actions to repair or completely replace the equipment. As a rule, metering devices are rarely repaired; they are mostly replaced. You should immediately prepare that eliminating the defects (if they do try to fix it) will take a long time: drawing up an examination report stating that the meter was not broken on purpose, the commission’s conclusion about the warranty period, then repairing it - this will take time.
Advice! The examination very rarely turns out to be positive for the user, therefore, it is in your interests to replace the meter. This will reduce the cost of quite expensive repairs, which will most likely be done at your expense. And the cost of a new water meter is almost equal to the price of repairing the old one - the choice is yours.
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
The first reason is depressurization
If the meter is depressurized, this can be seen by possible leaks. To fix this problem, you will need to turn off the taps and record the readings of the device. You need to wait about an hour and check the readings again. If they have changed, it is worth reviewing all the pipes installed in the room and carefully checking the tightness of the taps.
Quite often, the cause of depressurization is a failed shut-off valve, which, due to breakdown, is not able to completely shut off the pressure supply. In this case, you will need to tighten all couplings firmly. If the inspection shows that the installed water pipes are leaking, you will need to call a plumber who will carry out the required repair work.
If the meter needle does not rotate, and the glass is very foggy, the water meter will need to be replaced.
Types of water meter malfunctions and their causes
A water meter is a complex device. It fails for various reasons. If the equipment is installed in an apartment (the most common option), then the consumer will have to bear responsibility for the breakdown. In order not to lead to a conflict situation, it is necessary to check the meter and signal problems in a timely manner. Let's look at the main types of breakdowns and how to identify them.
Depressurization
A malfunction may cause the rotating element to stop. Visually, it is determined by fogging of the inner surface of the glass. It is checked as follows:
- All taps are closed.
- The readings are recorded.
- After two to three hours, a control reading is taken.
Attention: a breakdown is indicated by differences in the control readings. The pipeline allows air to pass through. You need to tighten the couplings and check the device again. If the violation is not eliminated, the water meter must be replaced with a new one.
Incorrect mounting
If you installed the device yourself, there may be an error in the use of the equipment. The cold water meter is not suitable for metering hot water consumption. As a rule, the violation is eliminated during acceptance by utilities. You must carefully examine the label on the back of the equipment:
- "SVG" indicates hot water application;
- "SVKh" - for cold.
Hint: if the counters are swapped, they will have to be changed completely.
Clogged pipes
Most often, malfunction occurs due to small particles entering the watercourse. These get stuck in the mechanical parts of the equipment and hinder the accounting of water consumption.
You won't be able to fix the problem on your own. Since flushing the system requires breaking the seal. And the latter fact is recognized as failure of the device. We need to call the utility workers.
To avoid regular breakdowns, you need to install a water filter in the system. This is done in agreement with the management company based on the equipment installation diagram.
Other faults
The device may fail for the following reasons:
- mechanical damage;
- water too hot;
- exposure to foreign objects (needles, magnets);
- obsolescence of parts.
Important: any violation of the integrity of the equipment shell leads to sanctions from the resource supplier company.
Reason two - illiterate installation of the meter
The reason for device failure is often incorrect installation of the equipment. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the standard designations on the body - SVH and SVG, that is, devices for cold and hot water.
If a meter designed for cold water is installed for hot water, it will fail in a relatively short time. In this case, water leakage and incorrect readings may occur when removed.
What to do if a malfunction is detected
Regulatory requirements prohibit independent troubleshooting of the hot water meter. The main element for the management company to prove the accuracy of the accounting is the seal.
Without its violation, impact on the equipment is impossible. In any case, the seal will have to be broken. And if the inspector discovers this, then the owner of the apartment has problems. Hint: if the rotating element has stopped, you can gently knock on the housing. There may be small particles stuck in the parts. Shaking will help push them down the drain. In other situations, you will have to interact with the management company. The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Write a report about the breakdown.
- Wait for a company employee to remove the seal.
- Dismantle the device.
- Correct the violation using one of the following methods.
- Return the working water meter to its place.
- Contact the management company with an application to accept the equipment.
A citizen is given no more than a month to eliminate the violation.
How to write a statement
The essence of the appeal is to inform about the current situation. The application is written in free form. The document contains the following information:
- name of the addressee (available on the utility bill);
- personal data of the applicant in the format: full name (of the family member for whom the registration is registered);
- residential address;
Utilities are required to respond within three days.
The management company employee must contact the client and agree on a date for the inspector to visit the apartment. If for some reason it is impossible to receive an employee on the appointed day, you should call the dispatch service and reschedule the visit to another date.
How to troubleshoot
Water meter repair can be done in any of the following ways:
- By the supplier company, if it is under warranty.
- On your own (not recommended).
- By engaging a specialist.
Please note that repair fees are often equal to the cost of new equipment. It may be more rational and cheaper to purchase and install a working device with a warranty.
How to return a filling
After installing the hot water meter in place, you need to write a new application to the Criminal Code. The document form is also free. It contains the following information:
- the header is similar to the one above;
- the main text should contain: a description of the work performed;
- please seal;
Important: the new water meter will have to be taken to the Criminal Code for verification.
Reason five - failure of the counter mechanism
Users often encounter a situation where water passes through the device quite freely, but the arrow does not move. In this case, you can suspect a simple mechanical failure of the device. Both the built-in counting mechanism and the rotor can fail. The problem can only be solved by carrying out special repair work.
Regardless of which element has failed, the meter must be repaired by a specialized company. This requires professional qualifications.
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.
External signs of damage
All devices and mechanisms may stop working for some reason. Even unpretentious and reliable ones, such as a water meter, sometimes stop giving correct readings. Even if its needle rotates, there may be clear external signs of a device malfunction. The sooner the owner or tenant of the residential premises pays attention to them, the sooner it will be possible to find a way out of the situation. So, the hot water meter is broken. What to do?
Make sure your conclusions are correct. It is necessary to repair or replace the device when it is discovered that:
- during the accounting period, water consumption indicators unreasonably increased or decreased sharply;
- the behavior of the dial indicator when the taps are opened looks clearly abnormal - it either rotates with noticeable delay, or in the wrong direction, or does not move at all;
- The indicator glass is cracked or fogged up. This means that something caused the depressurization, as a result of which the obtained indicators cannot be trusted. You will have to find and fix the breakdown.
Metering devices should be inspected externally more often. Sometimes a simple external inspection can help identify a malfunction at an early stage, when the device has not completely failed.
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.
Which specialists should I contact?
After the legislative act is drawn up, the owner of the water meter faces a natural question: where exactly to go to make repairs. Of course, you can try to do it yourself, but the likelihood that the problem will be completely eliminated and the meter will last a long time is very small.
To repair the meter, you should contact the Housing Office
There are only two options left:
- Contact a private person (the so-called home worker);
- Pay for the service of a repair shop.
The first option has one significant advantage - a relatively low price. The “specialist” will fix the problems, but due to the fact that he works without a license, he will probably not give any guarantee. In addition, it is unlikely to work with such complex devices as the Betar meter.
Unauthorized intervention in the circuit often provokes a stop of the mechanism as a whole.
Repair shops often work officially and carry out repairs of water meters on a regular basis. In such services, almost any breakdown is eliminated, and the work is guaranteed for about a year. The only negative is the price, which is rarely low.
Where to go if the meter does not work is the personal choice of each owner. However, it is important to manage your funds wisely so that you do not have to incur additional expenses later.
Installing a new water meter
You can purchase a new water meter at the appropriate store. When purchasing, check the device to see if it has any mechanical damage. The seller must write the date of purchase of the meter in the passport, the stamp of the institution that carried out the sale and put a signature. To install a new device, you should invite an appropriate specialist. After installing the meter, contact the management organization to check and seal the device.
To independently check the operation of a new water meter, take a container whose volume you know exactly. Record the meter readings. Open the tap and fill the container with water. Close the tap and note the new readings. If the counter is working properly, they should increase by exactly one unit.
How to determine if the meter is faulty?
How to find out if water meters need repair? It should be noted that all cold water flow meters are registered with the relevant organization, and it is its representatives who seal them. Therefore, if you suddenly notice that something is wrong with the device, then solve the problem immediately, do not put it off for later.
Please note the following factors:
- The arrow or numbers of the counting mechanism stopped moving or began to spin in the opposite direction.
- You use water as usual, but the meter readings do not correspond to this.
- The device body has leaked or simply cracked.
Important! All of the listed signs of breakdown are easy to identify on your own, and they are the ones that indicate that the device needs repair. You can try to fix it yourself, but if nothing works, you will have to seek help from a specialist.
Useful tips
Despite the fact that it is not difficult to repair water meters yourself, the following nuances should be taken into account:
- If you have never performed plumbing work before, then you are unlikely to have the necessary spare parts in your arsenal, which are rarely even found on sale.
- Think carefully before repairing a meter with a seal installed on it, because you most likely will not be able to keep it intact, and this will mean additional expenses in the form of penalties.
- New water meters are not that expensive, so it’s easier to immediately replace a broken device with a new one.
If the breakdown is noticed by the owner of the apartment
If a breakdown is detected that cannot be repaired independently (clogged pipeline, low water pressure), it is recommended to submit an application to the resource supply organization or management company. The document is completed in two copies. The application must reflect the requirement to take current meter readings.
The law provides a 30-day period for eliminating the malfunction. Payment for water consumption for this period is calculated according to the average monthly tariff (the volume of water consumed in the month before the fault was detected is taken into account).
Utility services are responsible for replacing water meters. Consumers are not required to know and eliminate the causes of device failure. If the apartment owner requests that the water meter be repaired, the replacement will be made over a longer period of time. This is due to the fact that an examination is carried out to assess the nature of the damage and identify the causes of the breakdown.
If, based on the results of the inspection, it becomes clear that the malfunction was caused by the actions of the owner, the latter will be required to purchase a new water meter at his own expense.
Ways to prevent malfunctions
Most counters work until victory and rarely fail. The mechanism is assembled according to the simplest scheme and is constantly at rest. On average, only one in 50 devices fails. In most cases, the reasons for this are an attempt to pause the counting mechanism.
To prevent it from jamming unexpectedly, you can take a number of preventive measures:
- Conduct inspections in a timely manner;
- Avoid mechanical damage;
- Do not allow large amounts of dust to accumulate on the device.
If the hot water meter has stopped giving correct readings, you should not leave things to chance. It is important to call an inspector who will confirm that the device is indeed faulty. Sometimes he can even tell you exactly why it happened. Then all that remains is to hand it over to a specialist or try to fix the problem yourself. People who have no idea about mechanics should not try to make a counter on their own, because the situation can only get worse.
Water meter device
A conventional vane water meter is simple: it consists of two chambers - dry and wet. There is an impeller in the wet chamber, and a gearbox with a counting mechanism in the dry chamber. Both chambers of the water meter are connected to each other by a magnetic coupling, which transmits rotation from the impeller to the counting mechanism.
Wet meters have only one chamber, which contains an impeller along with a counting mechanism. If a regular meter has anti-magnetic protection, then wet walkers do not need it, since they do not have a magnetic coupling.
