Competent sewerage maintenance in apartment buildings

Who should repair the sewer riser?

When purchasing an apartment, its owner, in addition to the rights to it, also receives a number of responsibilities. He pays utility bills monthly. In addition, he is responsible for maintaining all pipes inside the apartment in proper condition. The question arises about inter-building communications passing through the apartments of residents, in particular, the sewer riser.

The article will talk about who is the owner of this pipeline and who is responsible for its condition, as well as who is obliged to replace and repair the sewer riser in the apartment.

removing paint from the pipe to assess damage to the riser

Whose property

All communications sooner or later become unusable. Naturally, a situation may arise when the sewer riser begins to leak. And despite the fact that this can happen in any apartment at any time, many residents do not know who owns this communication and who should repair it if necessary.

You can imagine, for example, a situation where the riser rotted and began to leak in a certain apartment. As a result, the toilet was flooded and the neighbors below began to flood. They decided to file a lawsuit to recover funds from their neighbors to compensate for the damage.

But are the culprits in this case the residents living on the floor above? And should they pay damages in this case? And if not, then who is to blame and who should change the sewer riser in the apartment on time to avoid unpleasant situations?

To understand who owns this property, it is necessary to refer to the legislation, namely the Housing Code and the Rules for the maintenance of public property.

Article 36 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation states that risers are part of public property, and the above Rules, approved by a government decree, specify that it includes the engineering drainage system in the house, which includes, among other things, risers.

repairing a sewer riser by installing a plastic patch on a cast iron pipe

The owners of public property are state authorities and local governments. It is clear that we are talking about a communal organization that is assigned and serves a particular house.

Therefore, it is they who should be responsible for ensuring that this property is of proper quality. However, there may be other special cases.

What to do if flooded and who is to blame

In the event of flooding or a malfunction in the risers, an application is submitted to the management company. If the situation requires immediate intervention, then call the emergency service to take immediate action and fix the problem.

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Specialists from these organizations are required to inspect the flooded premises and draw up a report about it, which must record exactly where the leak occurred, its cause, and describe all the property that was damaged.

visual assessment of damage to the sewer riser

It is necessary to know exactly what is reflected in the document, namely about the party responsible for the incident. If the report states that the flood occurred due to a sewer riser that failed, then the guilty party is the utilities. The fact is that they are the ones who must monitor the wear and tear of this equipment. However, if what happened was due to an unauthorized replacement of the riser or it suffered mechanical damage, then the owner of the apartment will be considered the guilty party.

If the property that was damaged is insured, then residents turn to the insurance company to compensate for the damage. She, in turn, after payment, will present an invoice to the guilty party: the owner of the apartment or the management company.

Any person, in the event of damage to his property, can hope for compensation. Let the injured party not be embarrassed by the fact that the management company may be the culprit, and in most cases this is exactly what happens. In any case, the property owner has the legal right to hold her employees accountable.

You will have to prove the guilt of the management organization.

Application to housing and communal services

If the owner of the apartment has come to the conclusion that his riser is in unusable condition, then he can contact the management organization to have the pipes replaced. A statement about this is written in free form to the relevant organization. It must contain information about the following:

• in the upper right corner the number of the housing and communal organization and the name of its head;
• evidence of regular payments and absence of debt, you can attach copies of paid receipts for recent months;
• a specific request to replace the sewer riser;
• Place a signature and number below.

It is advisable to draw up an application in two copies, one of which will remain in the housing complex, and the other, with the signature of the responsible person, will be given to the applicant.

Workers from the housing and communal services organization will be required to come and inspect the sewer riser. Based on the results of this, a report is drawn up that will reflect information about the condition of the pipeline, on the basis of which a decision will be made whether to replace the riser or not.

Work on the sewer riser

Property owners are required to monitor all communications inside the apartment. The owner also has the right to change all pipes located inside the apartment himself.

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He can install more modern plastic pipes. new faucets, change the number of plumbing fixtures and so on. However, when it comes to boners, opinions vary. Who should repair the sewer riser in an apartment, replace it and generally monitor it?

The owner is obliged to maintain his property in order and pay for its maintenance (hot and cold water, gas, sewerage, etc.).

old cast iron sewer pipe

However, in terms of common property, these responsibilities fall on the shoulders of the management organization. Residents pay a certain amount to the management company every month (it doesn’t matter whether they entered into a separate agreement on this or not) to solve general technical problems.

The management organization uses this money to maintain sewerage, water supply, heating and other technical equipment in good condition.

The basis for the work is:

• appropriate plan;
• inspection report with a conclusion on the need for repair or replacement to prevent an accident;
• leak or other problem.

The housing and communal services organization is required to consider the submitted application and give a reasoned positive or negative response.

If they try to force residents to pay for work or materials, or to contact a private office, this is illegal, because such types of work have already been paid for by the homeowners.

Each payment bill contains the item “maintenance and repair of housing.” It is with these funds that the work should be carried out. There are special standards that include all types of such work, in particular:

• maintenance of common property;
• communications maintenance;
• carrying out emergency work;
• ongoing repair work.

Thus, the housing and communal services organization is obliged not only to carry out work on repairing and replacing the riser, but also to do it free of charge.

However, if repairs are carried out without permission, as a result of which damage is caused to common building communications or structural changes are made to them, due to which neighbors suffer, the damage must be compensated.

If a housing and communal organization tries to deviate from replacing the riser, then its position should be defended, referring to the following documents:

• methodological recommendations MDK 2-04.2004;
• rules for maintaining common property of the house.

Copies of paid receipts for recent months can be attached to the application. In case of poor technical condition of the sewer pipe, specialists of the management company are obliged to replace the general building communications.

sewer pipe in need of repair

Riser repair: how it happens

In case of minor damage to the sewer riser, it is enough to replace a separate section or patch the pipe. But even then the idea should take root that the hour is not far off when it will need to be replaced.

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Risers can be cast iron or plastic. The former can only be found in old houses where pipes have not been replaced for a very long time. As a rule, it is cast iron sewer risers that are the most dangerous. Often plumbers do not even undertake repairs, citing the fact that cast iron pipes are already too old to last even longer.

However, repairs can be avoided if:

• a crack has appeared on the pipe from which water comes out;
• the leak occurred at the junction with the adapter, cross, coupling or tee;
• In some place the riser has rotted.

Replacement will become the only option only when the riser literally falls apart.

Both plastic and cast iron pipes may require repairs.

In the first case, it is much easier to implement. If the causes are cheap, low-quality pipes, poor rubber gaskets or defective pipes and a leak appears at the joint, the O-ring is replaced. To do this, the connection where the leak appeared is disassembled, the seal is removed, the place is cleaned and a new one is inserted. If the crack occurs in the riser itself, then the surface is cleaned and degreased, and then treated with a sealant.

In the case of a cast iron pipe, temporary repairs are also possible. If the cause of the problem is a small fistula, then the damaged area is cleaned, treated with sandpaper, and then this area is lubricated with cement. Use only dry solution, without diluting it. If the leak is larger, the hole is closed with a clamp that matches the diameter of the riser. A tape is cut out of rubber for it. They wrap the pipe with it, and put a clamp on top of it and tighten it slightly. A gasket is pulled under it and then closed completely. Another option here is cold welding. However, a clamp will be a more durable and reliable option.

We found out what to do when the sewer riser is leaking, who should repair it and replace it if necessary, and who is generally responsible for this communication. This should be done by the management organization, and free of charge. Although the last statement is conditional, since this type of work is carried out at the expense of funds paid by homeowners monthly according to their receipts. It turns out that this work has already been paid for. Therefore, demanding payment for this particular work is illegal. At the same time, it is prohibited to repair, let alone change, the sewer riser without permission. All city apartment owners should know about this.

Vodakanazer.ru » Sewerage » What to do in case of a sewerage accident and flooding?

Replacing a sewer riser in an apartment: who should repair it, statement 2021

Not all residents of the Russian Federation live in new houses, so the problem of deterioration of communications is familiar to many.

Sewer pipes are no exception, damage and rupture of which can lead to flooding and property damage.

about the procedure for replacing a sewer riser in an apartment in this article.

Dear readers! Our articles talk about typical ways to resolve legal issues, but each case is unique.

If you want to find out how to solve your particular problem, please contact the online consultant form on the right or call the free consultation numbers:

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In old houses, sewer risers and pipes in bathrooms are made of cast iron - a reliable, but not the most durable material.

Sooner or later, such pipes begin to fail, after which there is a danger of leakage, pipe splitting, property damage and financial liability.

In order to prevent sad consequences, the riser and sewer branches should be replaced. In such a situation, owners often make do on their own and change the riser in the apartment themselves.

Not everyone knows that sewer and other risers can be replaced at the expense of the management company.

Replacement and repair of sewer, water and heating pipes are regulated by:

• rules for maintaining common property in apartment buildings;
• rules and regulations for the technical operation of housing stock;
• methodological manual for the maintenance and repair of housing stock MDK 2-04.2004.

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According to the rules, the responsibility for maintaining and repairing communications lies with the owners .

Water pipes that are branches from riser pipes are maintained, repaired and replaced by the owners independently and at their own expense.

Riser pipes that are used by several apartments are common property in accordance with the rules for maintaining common property in apartment buildings.

The common property also includes branches from the riser to the first connecting connection.

Repairs to common property are carried out by a management company to which residents have delegated the right to manage common property.

Replacement of sewer and water risers is carried out by the Housing and Communal Services Management Company, Homeowners' Association or other companies. The decision on repairs is made by the management company upon the application of the homeowners.

What are the rules for the use of residential premises and common property in apartment buildings? You will find the answer on our website.

By law, homeowners are responsible for the maintenance of common property.

If the sewer riser is out of order and needs to be repaired or replaced, then the management company must carry out and pay for this work from funds contributed by the owners.

Homeowners pay these expenses in their utility bills under the heading “housing maintenance and repairs.”

If a major replacement of risers is carried out on all floors, then funds can be taken from payments for major repairs.

A completely different situation arises when the homeowner wants to replace a working riser for some personal reasons, for example, when remodeling a bathroom.

In this case, all costs for replacing the riser are borne by the owner , and the work is also carried out independently.

Replacement of risers in municipal housing is carried out at the expense of the landlord, that is, the municipal authorities.

In this case, replacement is made free of charge upon the application of the tenant to the municipal authorities responsible for city-wide housing and communal services.

To replace a riser that has failed or needs replacing, you should contact the management company with an application addressed to its head.

Before writing an application to the Criminal Code, you can call a plumber to your home, who will draw up an inspection report of the sewer riser, document the damage and the need to replace the riser.

Next, you need to draw up an application for replacing the riser in free form addressed to the head of the management company, justifying the reason why the replacement work should be carried out.

At the end of the application, you should write a specific request for replacement or repair of the sewer riser. Next is the date and signature of the owner. The application is drawn up in two copies, one of which remains with the owner, the other is given to the management company.

Sample application for replacement of a sewer riser.

The homeowner submitting the application must be a bona fide utility payer in order for his application to be accepted and considered.

After reviewing the application, a convenient time for the work is agreed upon with the owner. The riser is replaced by employees of the management company or contractors hired by the management company.

The owner must provide free passage to the bathroom in order for the pipes to be replaced. How much does it cost to replace a sewer riser in an apartment?

additional funds when replacing the riser or branches from it before the first connecting connection.

The approximate cost of replacing a sewer riser in one apartment is from 4 to 7 thousand rubles.

Quite often, homeowners are faced with the fact that management companies demand payment for the replacement of the riser, citing the fact that the riser pipes are located on the owner’s premises and the homeowner is responsible for them .

In such cases, management company employees should be reminded that sewer, water risers and battery risers serving more than one apartment are common property, and the management company is responsible for their replacement and repair.

Moreover, the replacement of risers will in any case be paid for by homeowners from the funds they pay in utility bills .

You can learn what to do if one of the residents of the house is against replacing the common sewer riser from the video:

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Communications in most houses on the secondary real estate market are worn out by more than half. The decision to replace pipes is made for different reasons, but the actions have to be taken in approximately the same way.

Replacing a sewer riser in an apartment raises a number of significant issues. The first thing you should find out is who should carry out the work and at whose expense. Secondly, what and how to do if you have to change the sewer riser yourself.

Partial replacement of the sewer riser, when changing a section of communications in a separate apartment, may be necessary in the following cases:

• the sewer pipe became unusable and leaked;
• the owner or tenant of the property decided not to wait for leaks, but to start with major repairs and replacement of pipes;
• The sewer riser is being replaced as planned.

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Sewage drains in multi-storey buildings were traditionally installed from cast iron pipes. The material is reliable, but in most homes it is already so old that it leaks and needs scheduled replacement or urgent repairs.

Note! There is a clearly defined procedure for replacing a sewer riser, which is defined in regulatory documents that spell out the responsibilities and rights of home owners or tenants.

The state regulates the rules for maintaining property in apartment buildings, including the replacement of the sewer riser, since the riser itself and the drain from it to the first joint are the common property of the house.

• Government Decree No. 491 of August 8, 2006 on the maintenance of common property.
• Manual on repair and maintenance of common property dated April 2, 2004.
• Resolution of the State Construction Committee No. 170 of September 27 on the standards of technical operation of the housing stock.

All maintenance, repair and replacement work is carried out by the management company. It is enough for the owner of the apartment (or the tenant) to write a corresponding statement justifying the reason for the need to carry out work to replace (or repair) the sewer riser.

Next, the work time is agreed upon. The owner of the apartment must provide free access at the agreed time.

Note! A request to pay for work or materials when repairing or replacing a sewer riser, citing its location inside the apartment, is illegal.

Since the sewer riser is common property, its repair or partial replacement is carried out at the expense of the apartment owners. If tenants live under a social tenancy agreement, then the owner of the property is the state. In this case, the costs are compensated by the municipal budget.

The planned replacement of a sewer riser in an apartment building can be financed from funds allocated by residents for major repairs of the house.

The owner of the apartment, as well as the tenant, independently pays for materials and work to replace part of the riser in his apartment if he decides to change working communications at his own request. Such a replacement can be made, for example, during a major renovation of an apartment or during redevelopment.

Note! Payment for the work and costs of materials is made by the owner of the property. However, in the case of common property, this occurs through monthly payments for housing maintenance.

There are several legal situations when a management company may refuse to replace a sewer riser in an apartment:

• If the applicant has debts on utility bills. Here, the management company has the right not to carry out work (except for the elimination of an emergency) until the debt is paid in full.
• If the owner of the apartment decides to independently replace the sewer riser in his apartment, outside the schedule of house maintenance work.
• If the homeowner previously changed his part of the sewer riser himself.

Note! Work to replace pipes in an apartment, carried out without the approval and control of the management organization, relieves it of responsibility for further maintenance of this area.

When carrying out sewer repairs yourself, it is important to consider the following points:

• The management company should be notified of the work being carried out, even if the entire activity is carried out independently and at its own expense.
• Neighbors should be notified about the time of work. It's better to do it in person.
• During the work, you will need to turn off the water in the riser and ask your neighbors not to use the drain.

You should purchase all the necessary materials and tools in advance. To work you will need:

• grinder for cutting pipes;
• perforator for opening interfloor connections;
• hammer, chisel, hacksaw, sharp knife;
• crowbar, nail puller;
• mortar or sealant;
• clamps for attaching pipes to the wall;
• a piece of pipe with appropriate fittings.

Note! For installation of a sewer riser, polypropylene pipes are the best choice.

Advantages of polypropylene pipes:

• mounted in a socket, equipped with a sealing rubber ring from the manufacturer;
• easy to assemble on your own;
• fit well (and are allowed to do so) with cast iron communications.

It is better to have a bucket or large basin on hand, which will be needed in case of an unexpected amount of drainage during dismantling.

Before installing a new section of sewer pipe, you need to dismantle the old one.

• the work does not affect floor slabs;
• replacement is carried out with the capture of the area between the floors.

The procedure for dismantling the pipe itself is no different in both cases. The difference lies in the need to open the interfloor ceiling before dismantling the pipe in the second case.

Algorithm for dismantling the sewer riser:

1. At a height of 1 m at least from the adjustable fittings, an incision is made on the cast iron pipe with a grinder and the section is removed from the lower socket.
2. If the pipe cannot be loosened using a nail puller or chisel, you can try heating it to soften the old sealant.
3. The riser is analyzed from top to bottom, from connection to connection.

The opening of floor slabs between floors will need to be agreed upon with the neighbors. Dismantling of ceilings is carried out either with a hammer drill or using a crowbar, chisel and hammer.

Note! Work should be carried out without strong impacts, using rocking, heating, and gentle tapping. Excessive physical impact on a cast iron riser can split it.

Installation of a new section of the sewer riser is carried out from the bottom up. Under each socket, fasteners are installed on a special clamp and the pipe is attached to the wall.

When using polypropylene pipes, you will need a special compensator (special pipe), which allows you to install a new pipe of the required length. It is put on the top cut of the old pipe.

The final step is to connect the straight section of the pipe with the compensating pipe.

For high-quality installation, consider the following nuances:

• All sections of the plastic pipe should be cleaned inside from burrs and irregularities, since in the future they can act as garbage traps and cause blockages.
• The outer side of the cut pipe should be chamfered - it will make it easier to connect the components.
• If the pipe does not fit into the socket, then its edge can be lubricated with liquid soap. This will make the work easier.

At the end of installation, all joints are coated with silicone sealant.

Home » Housing and communal services » Who should repair the sewer riser in an apartment?

Attention! Initially, we find out who is the owner of the pipeline responsible for the sewerage system. To do this, you need to study the legislation of the Russian Federation currently in force. The Housing Code of the Russian Federation establishes that the pipeline for hot and cold water supply is part of the common property.

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Now it’s worth understanding what common property is. Rules for the maintenance of common property of owners and housing complexes of the Russian Federation determine the composition of common property. And it consists of premises owned by local governments and state authorities, but nothing is said about the pipeline responsible for the sewerage system.

Paragraph 5 of the Government of the Russian Federation of May 6 No. 354 will help resolve the dispute on this issue, which explains that the common property includes an engineering system responsible for drainage, which is located inside an apartment building and consists of shaped parts and sewage outlets (crossings, tees, branch pipes, bends and transitions), as well as plugs, drain funnels, risers, exhaust pipes, parts of pipes located between the risers and butt joints, and second equipment located in the system.

Drawing a conclusion from the above, we can say that sewer risers are the common property of an apartment building.

The pipeline responsible for the sewerage system is considered community property, which means that its repair and maintenance is carried out by the organization that services the apartment building.

If your apartment is flooded due to a faulty pipeline, you must first contact the service company with a request. If the case is complex and urgent, then you need to contact the emergency service so that the malfunction can be eliminated as soon as possible.

Employees of such organizations must inspect the malfunction and damage caused in front of witnesses and interested parties. All this must be included in the appropriate document (act). This document reflects which apartments were affected by this malfunction, the reason for this, the damaged property, etc.

Remember! When drawing up the report, witnesses and interested parties must be present, so employees carrying out repairs cannot be released. The document indicates the culprit through whose fault the leak occurred.

If the document indicates that the leak occurred because the riser failed, then the management company is considered the culprit. Because the responsibility for maintaining it in proper condition lies with the management company.

Although, if the document indicates the tenant’s fault, that is, he independently replaced pipes or equipment, and thereby caused mechanical damage to the riser, then the responsibility for restoration will lie with the owner of the apartment.

If the owner of the apartment discovers that the sewer riser is in poor condition, he must contact the utility service to replace the plumbing equipment.

There is no strictly defined form for such an application, so it is drawn up in a free form.

Notice! Although the required information for this application is:

• name of the management company and last name, first name, patronymic of the manager;
• proof of timely payment and absence of debt for utilities (payment receipts);
• please replace the sewer riser;
• the applicant's signature and date of application.

The application is drawn up in two copies, one is sent to the management company, and the second with a receipt mark remains with the applicant. After such a statement, CC employees are required to inspect the sewer riser.

As a result of the inspection, a report is drawn up that reflects information about the condition of the riser, and on the basis of this document a decision will be made on its replacement (whether it is necessary or not).

Watch the video. What the management company should repair for free:

In case of flooding of the apartment, an application is submitted to the utility service, and in an emergency, to the emergency service. Employees of these organizations, in front of witnesses and interested parties, draw up a report in which they indicate in which apartments the breakthrough occurred, its cause, a list of damaged property, etc.

The leak report is the main document that establishes its cause and culprit. If the cause of the leak is rotten pipes, then the fault lies with the management company. After all, her direct responsibility is to monitor the proper condition of the plumbing.

If the fault of the apartment residents is established, for example, independent replacement of the pipeline or damage to the riser, then the responsibility for elimination lies with the apartment owner.

Please note that this situation only applies to the case of an insured apartment. Then, in the event of flooding, the owners of the insured apartment contact the insurance company. And the insurers, in turn, issue an invoice for compensation for the damage caused to the person responsible for the leak.

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The owners of the damaged apartment can file a lawsuit demanding compensation for property damage. If the culprit is the management company, then it is a co-defendant. And at the court hearing, it will be necessary to prove the guilt of the management company, that the leak occurred through their fault, and the consequence of this was damage to the plaintiff’s property.

It is illegal for owners to write applications to a private organization or want to pay additionally for pipeline repair work. Because all work is carried out at the expense of the owners of residential premises.

The monthly payment for utilities includes a fee for the “maintenance and repair of common property.” The cost of this service is calculated depending on the square footage of the apartment and the number of registered persons.

Important! In accordance with the norms of MDK 2-04.2004, there is a list of works that are included in the cost of rent:

• maintenance of common property;
• maintenance of communication networks;
• work in case of an accident;
• ongoing repair work.

Thus, the cost of all work related to the maintenance and repair of equipment is included in the rent. Therefore, the management company is obliged to replace the sewer riser, even in a privatized apartment, free of charge. This has already been paid for previously.

An exception to this rule is repairs that are required to be made as a result of unauthorized repairs or reconstruction of plumbing equipment by the apartment owner.

If, as a result of these actions, other owners of residential premises of an apartment building suffered, then compensation for the damage caused will also be carried out from the wallet of the culprit.

In accordance with current legislation, the decision to carry out major repairs is made by all owners of residential premises in an apartment building. But you cannot do this yourself.

Apartment owners only service equipment located directly on the property, in the apartment.

And to carry out major repairs of common property, a management company is hired, which hires contractors to carry out the work if it cannot do it on its own.

The company that carries out the maintenance, maintenance, replacement and repair of the common property of an apartment building carries out this work in accordance with the plan.

Remember, the owner cannot contact an authorized organization on his own to replace the riser. This issue is subject to consideration. Therefore, the management company provides a response to the request in writing.

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Most often, authorized organizations do not always fulfill their duties on time and properly. Sometimes they even refuse to carry out major repairs, citing as the reason that the owners of the apartment building have rent arrears. Such justification is illegal for refusing to perform one's duties.

Watch the video. Sewer riser in the apartment. A simple replacement example:

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Replacing old or damaged risers with new ones in apartment buildings is a very common issue that faces residents.

When they encounter such situations, the question arises: where to turn, who should change the risers, at whose expense the work is being carried out, and also to whom and how to correctly write an application for repair work to replace sewer pipes with new ones?

Dear readers! Our articles talk about typical ways to resolve legal issues, but each case is unique.

If you want to find out how to solve your particular problem, just call, it’s fast and free!

In accordance with the general rules for maintaining property in an apartment building, full responsibility for the technical condition of communal risers rests with the management company, and in its absence, with the housing office. Residents must know that responsibility ends only at the section of pipe where the first drain valve from the riser is located.

The basis for carrying out work to restore the functionality of the risers will be:

1. planned implementation;
2. an act confirming that part of the riser requires repair to prevent an accident;
3. leak or other problem.

Repair and replacement of sewerage in an apartment lies entirely on the shoulders of the property owner and is not the responsibility of utility services. The owner can independently change the heating risers in the apartment by hiring a third-party company that can take on this responsibility, or use the services of housing and communal services specialists.

If it is not the pipes that need to be repaired or replaced, but the vertical risers, the housing office takes responsibility.

The maintenance of communication risers at the entrance must be fully undertaken by the housing office. But in practice, utility workers are not always willing to do this work. They often find reasons to shift responsibility onto the residents of the house.

To avoid such a situation, it is necessary to contact the management company not verbally, but in writing.

The only exceptions are cases when the housing is not privatized and the work relates to major repairs. When replacing risers inside an apartment, you need to enlist the support of neighbors below and above.

Payment for the replacement of risers, which are in the department of the management company or housing office, is carried out under the article “maintenance and repair of residential premises.” Payments for utilities and living space are charged monthly according to Art. 153 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation. Therefore, all attempts to force residents to fix problems themselves are illegal.

If it is necessary to repair or replace risers located in common property, and utility workers agree to change the risers, then the owners of apartments in the entire entrance will have to pay for this.

The current rules for maintaining the common property of an apartment building dated August 13, 2006 state that owners can independently carry out maintenance and repair work or involve third parties to normalize the performance of public utilities. However, there are situations in which the housing office or management company are obliged to replace risers. How to make an application correctly? Is it necessary to hold a meeting of building residents to sign the application?

We will consider the most correct and effective sequence of actions when requesting replacement of risers in an apartment building:

1. If major repairs of risers are necessary, a general meeting of residents must be convened (the decision made is duly documented).
2. If a quorum could not be assembled or a meeting can be avoided, a collective appeal from interested residents should be drawn up.
3. Next, you need to contact the management company or housing office with an application, because the risers are public property and their maintenance is paid monthly as utility bills.

An application for replacement of the riser must be submitted in free form. It must describe in detail the situation that has developed and requires urgent outside intervention. The application is submitted to the head of the management company or housing office.

As an example of a statement, you can take the following sample:

• the header indicates the details of the recipient, the full name of the head of the organization;
• in the middle of the sheet the word “statement” is written;
• the content includes the sender's data (full name, residential address). Also, when submitting an application for replacement of risers, it would be useful to clarify that the owner of the property pays for utilities on time and in full and that the housing office, in turn, is obliged to immediately provide high-quality service;
• give examples of violations of the provision of services, the quality of which contradicts the norms of current legislation;
• at the end of the application you should write a specific request that the apartment owner wants to receive;
• also in the final part you should write a request to inform the applicant about the measures taken;
• The application is signed and the date of application is set.

If you have problems writing an application, you can use the sample that is available in every management company and housing office.

Both in the apartment and in the entrance, replacement of pipes and risers is carried out only in case of a positive resolution from the utility workers. If the answer is negative, you need to require an inspection of communications with the drawing up of a report on their technical condition.

In fact, risers are considered communal property, and the housing office is responsible for their safety and operation. But this is only in theory. In practice, it is the residents who have to deal with the problem of replacing risers. However, even after writing an application to the housing office or management company, the repair of risers may be transferred to the homeowners.

At the moment, the Fund for Assistance to the Reform of Housing and Communal Services, under Article 185 of the Federal Legislation, proposes to carry out repair work at the expense of the budget. But homeowners will still need to pay at least 5 percent of the assessed value for repair work.

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Water in the basement of an apartment building: what to do and where to go 2021

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What to do in case of an accident and sewer flooding?

If a sewer pipe bursts in an apartment or the basement of an apartment building, then you will have to spend a certain amount of time and money to eliminate the consequences. This can happen both in a private house and in an apartment building. However, if a sewer breaks in a private house, the situation is not so difficult, since you will not flood your neighbors below, and all responsibility for the condition of the sewer system lies with you. Therefore, the monetary costs of eliminating the consequences will not be as significant as in the case of a multi-story building in the city. In any situation, it is necessary to find the culprits and determine the cause of the breakthrough.

Sewer maintenance cost

Based on the work done, the cost of servicing sewerage systems and septic tanks may be determined. This cost depends on the location of the work, as well as on the complex of work performed, and the service price starts from 6,000 rubles

for a set of events.

Additional operations: if the sewer system is used only in the warm season, then it must be preserved for wintering to avoid damage. And before the start of the season, it needs to be put into working order. You also need to perform storm sewer maintenance once every six months. The procedure protects against damage to the walls of the house and landscape elements.

Maintenance of an autonomous sewer takes 30 minutes if it is performed by professionals using additional technical means. More and more people are ordering maintenance services from an installer company. This is due to the fact that the pace of life does not leave room for monitoring the state of all communications in the house or country house. The sewage system will last longer, and the cost of maintenance is affordable to any owner of the installation.

Search for the culprits

As for the reasons that could cause an emergency, there may be several of them

If a sewer pipe bursts in a private house, then there is no point in looking for who is to blame, because only you are responsible for the installation and operation of your sewer system. The same can be said about the pipes running through your site.

A completely different matter is a sewerage break in an apartment in an apartment building. If an accident occurs with a pipeline running in an apartment, then only the owner of the home is to blame. If the sewerage system breaks in the basement or in a common riser, then the housing office is responsible for these networks.

As for the reasons that could cause the emergency, there may be several of them:

• In order for a sewer pipe to burst in a basement or apartment, cracks and holes must form in the pipe, which will be small at first, but gradually this process will affect neighboring areas, causing weakening of the walls of the pipeline. Thus, it becomes clear that this is not a momentary process. Typically, cracks and holes are caused by pipe deformation or rust. As a result, the contents of the pipes begin to flow out through the holes and cause flooding of the apartment or basement. Moreover, this process will be accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
• Often a breakthrough can be caused by the use of low-quality pipes or disruptions during their installation. Therefore, the sewage system in the apartment should be done by professionals so that you do not have big problems in the future.
• If cast iron pipes were used to drain the sewer system in a basement or apartment, the sealing gaskets may wear out over time. In principle, this happens with old sewer systems that have not been changed or repaired for a long time.

Your actions in the event of a breakout in an apartment

If you are flooded due to a water supply or sewerage break in your apartment, then call an emergency response

If you are flooded due to a water supply or sewerage break in your apartment, and you don’t know where to turn, then your actions depend on the time of day and day of the week:

1. If the accident happened during the day on a working day, then you need to call the housing office or management company. They should send out a professional plumber to fix the break. You will clean up the consequences of an accident in the apartment yourself.
2. If the accident happened at night, on holidays or weekends, then there is no point in calling the management company or housing office, since no one will be there. The answer to the question of where to call in this case is clear - you need an emergency gang. You must call the water utility's emergency service. They are obliged to send a team of emergency workers to you on any day and at any time of the day, who will quickly eliminate the sewer leak.

While you wait for the brigade to arrive, you should not sit idly by. There are also things you can do to minimize damage from a flood. So, you can do the following:

1. First of all, do not pour any liquid down the drain, do not flush the toilet, or use the sewer system at all.
2. If the breakthrough occurred in an open section of the pipeline, then you can put a clamp on the damaged area. This product is in the form of a tin ring with a rubber sealing gasket. After putting the clamp on, use screws to tighten its two ends tightly. This will prevent waste from leaking out.
3. If the damaged area is small, then before the repairmen arrive, you can plug the hole with plasticine or use cold welding. This will allow you to create a temporary barrier and reduce the leak until the emergency crew arrives.

Important: if a breakthrough occurs in an apartment, then you do not have to pay anything to call a brigade. But if an emergency situation occurs in a private house, where only you are responsible for the autonomous sewage system, then you should contact the city emergency services. However, their services for private sector residents will be paid.

Technology for cleaning pipelines in an apartment building

We use different methods to remove blockages depending on the situation. It is possible to combine technologies for the best result.

• Hydrodynamic flushing . The contaminants are exposed to several powerful jets of water created by a high-pressure apparatus.
• Thermochemical washing . Instead of water, a solution of active substances is poured into high-pressure apparatuses and heated. The method is effective against fatty plugs. Solutions allow you to eliminate complex organic deposits that cannot be washed off with water.
• Mechanical cleaning . A standard method for removing solid objects using a plumbing hose. The rigid cord is pushed into the pipe and then pulled back out along with the debris.

Your actions in case of a breakthrough in the basement

If you discover a sewer pipe break in the basement of an apartment building, then the first thing you need to do is shut off the risers

If you discover a broken sewer pipe in the basement of an apartment building, then the first thing you need to do is shut off the risers and warn all residents not to use the sewer. Since the housing office or management company is responsible for the condition and serviceability of all internal public water supply and sewer systems, the housing office or management company should be called there first. They are obliged to send a team of emergency workers as soon as possible and eliminate the break in the sewer pipeline.

To minimize the consequences of a flood before the crew arrives, you can do the same as in the event of an accident inside the apartment. That is, you need to try to eliminate the leak in the basement using a clamp, cold welding, or a plug.

Maintenance goals. Diagnostic measures

The main purpose of emergency or scheduled sewerage maintenance is to clean pipes, which can significantly increase the throughput of the pipeline, significantly improve the operation of all elements of the sewer network, and also extend its operational life, while ensuring optimal functioning.

It is important to note that a necessary part of the maintenance of sewerage networks is diagnostics, called “television inspection of the pipeline.” Thanks to this event, a competent specialist receives reliable information about the need to carry out preventive cleaning of pipes or eliminate massive blockages, which in the near future may lead to emergency situations.

In addition to the above activities, the competence of specialists involved in sewerage maintenance includes the following types of preventive and repair work:

• Inspection of the sewer system, detailed study of the condition of the pipeline, detection of various types of deposits on the internal walls of pipes, accumulated sludge and blockages of any complexity;
• Repair work, the purpose of which is to eliminate problems in the operation of sewer networks in apartment buildings, as well as on private real estate;
• Elimination of existing leaks in pipeline systems, as well as replacement of the pipeline;
• Cleaning sewer systems and, if necessary, removing blockages;
• Hydraulic measures, the purpose of which is to test sewer communications;
• Repair work, as well as replacement of individual components of domestic and storm sewers.

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If you decide to complain

Of course, if the sewer pipeline burst in the basement, then the whole house needs to write a complaint

Of course, if a sewer pipeline breaks in the basement, then the whole house needs to file a complaint. But in the case of an emergency in an apartment, the situation is completely different, because it is your fault that the neighbors below suffered. Before you complain, you need to understand the following:

• The housing office or management company is responsible for the pipeline from the riser to the shut-off valves on the pipe going into the apartment. The same applies to sewerage; the management company and housing office are responsible only for those parts of the pipes that are not included in your apartment.
• All plumbing and sewerage installations inside the apartment are entirely your responsibility. Therefore, its condition must be monitored and repairs and replacement carried out in a timely manner.
• With the heating system the situation is different. If you did not change the elements of this system inside the apartment, then the management company or housing office is responsible for everything.

Important: if damage is caused to you and other residents in the event of a break in sewer, heating or water supply networks that are maintained by the housing office or management company, you can demand compensation and complain. If the accident happened in your apartment, then you can only complain if the heating system breaks down. You are responsible for all other pipes in your home.

If you decide to write a complaint, then you need to do the following:

1. Once the cause of the flood has been eliminated, photographs or video must be taken to document the aftermath of the accident.
2. Based on these photos or videos, you can demand compensation for damages from the management company. If they refuse to do this, then you can safely go to court. However, to do this you need to collect all the necessary documents.

To collect all the necessary papers, you can do this:

First, you can try calling the management company or housing office and ask them to send an employee who will draw up a flood report

• To begin with, you can try to call the management company or housing office and ask them to send an employee who will draw up a flood report.
• If there is no response to your request, then you need to come to one of these organizations and write a statement addressed to the head of the office. In this application, it is necessary to outline the essence of the problem and ask to draw up an act that will confirm the fact of flooding.

Advice: you should not agree to a routine inspection of the apartment by an employee of the management company. Require the drawing up of an act that will be the basis for going to court.

After writing an application or verbal request, employees of the service organization must send a commission to your home. It should include the chief engineer of the housing office, a site foreman, a representative of the management company and a plumber. They will inspect the apartment and draw up a flood report. This document should contain the following information:

1. The essence of the problem is described and its causes are indicated.
2. The document must be dated and the address of the apartment must be indicated.
3. The act is signed by all members of the commission. The document must list their positions and surnames.
4. A defect sheet is filled out, which lists all damaged items.
5. Possible hidden damage should also be listed, since water leaking into the structure of the house may not make itself felt immediately.

After drawing up the report, it is necessary to assess the damage caused. To do this, you need to contact a specialized company. This service is paid. The company's employees will assess the cost of damage and draw up a report on the amount of damage. Price lists and receipts must be attached to these documents.

Advice: if the upstairs neighbors are to blame for everything, then before going to court you can try to come to an agreement again.

When going to court, you must have the following documents on hand:

• A photocopy of the certificate stating that the ownership of this property belongs to you. Instead, you can attach a copy of the rental agreement.
• Statement of claim.
• The flood report, which was drawn up by the Housing Office commission.
• The appraiser's conclusion on the amount of damage.
• Accurate estimate for restoration work.
• Receipt for payment of court fee.

Why is it better to order sewer service from us?

Among the advantages of the Kanalservice company:

• Availability of equipment to perform the full range of work on regular and unscheduled sewerage maintenance: from pipe inspection to eliminating blockages of any complexity. This will allow you to save on services, eliminating the need to involve several contractors.
• Using effective methods to prevent blockages in different types of systems. Kanalservice specialists know the nuances of water supply and sewerage maintenance that are inherent in different systems, and give you practical recommendations for preventing undesirable phenomena.
• Providing a guarantee for work carried out as part of maintenance.

Pipe replacement

All those communications that are located inside the apartment and which only its owner and residents can use do not raise questions about their ownership. This is private property. And the owner can do whatever he sees fit with them. Of course, if this does not lead to damage to the property of his neighbors or their other rights and interests.

The owner of the apartment has the right:

• replace old metal pipes with more modern ones;
• install new mixers, counters;
• increase or decrease the number of plumbing fixtures;
• change batteries, etc.

He does all this of his own free will and at his own expense. This does not raise any surprise or doubt about the legality of such actions. Ownership includes the ability to make such changes and improvements.

But when it comes to replacing risers, that is, those thick pipes that connect all floors and apartments into a single whole, opinions differ.

Residents believe that the management company is responsible for the common property, but that company says that since this is the common property of the apartment owners, everything related to the replacement or repair of pipes is their responsibility. Let's try to figure out who is right.

Who should change risers in a privatized apartment

It is worth remembering that in addition to the right of ownership, there is also the so-called owner’s burden, which consists of the need to maintain one’s property in good condition and pay for its maintenance.

And here the question arises: who is the owner of those pipes and their branches that are no longer located inside each private apartment, but connect it with utilities that supply water, heat and light to the building itself?

They, as it turns out, relate to common property belonging to all owners. That is, those pipes in the apartment are personal, and the risers are shared.

Legislation

The legislation confirms this. In 2006, the government approved the Rules regarding the maintenance of common property.

They list what exactly applies to property recognized as common:

1. Equipment serving more than one apartment.
2. Drainage system (i.e. sewerage), etc.

But confirmation of the fact that all pipes, including water, heating, gas and sewer pipes are the property of the residents of the house, does not answer the question of who should change the risers in a privatized apartment? The same document talks about such a concept as repairs (current and major).

The definition of routine repairs given in the Rules for the Technical Operation of Housing Funds includes the following items regarding all pipelines inside a residential building, such as:

The law allows an appeal against a refusal to privatize an apartment.

How is the privatization of emergency housing taking place in 2015? Read here.

Owner's responsibilities

According to the Rules, making decisions about the need for routine and especially major repairs lies with all owners.

Owners of apartments and common property are obliged to:

• ensure the normal technical condition of common building communications;
• make decisions about their repair if the need arises.

But the owners themselves can only repair the equipment that directly serves their apartment. Because it is their private property. And to repair common property, they transfer part of their responsibilities to a management company, which solves all technical problems for them.

This agreement is gratuitous, that is, it implies payment of a certain amount monthly. Its payment is also the responsibility of the apartment owner. In return, he receives technical services for the entire household.

Responsibilities of the Housing Office

Carrying out all repair work required to maintain water supply, sewerage, heating and other risers in good technical condition is the responsibility of the Housing Office. Or another company with which a corresponding agreement was concluded.

The basis for the work will be:

• plan for their implementation;
• an act indicating that any part of the riser needs repair to prevent an emergency;
• a leak or other problem occurs.

You can contact the housing office with an application, which they are obliged to consider and give a reasoned response.

At whose expense

All attempts to force residents to contact private offices or pay additional funds for repairing risers are illegal. Since this work is already carried out at the expense of the homeowners.

Every month you can see the line “maintenance and repair of housing” in notices for payment of utility services. The amount depends on the square footage of the apartment and the number of residents.

According to the norms of MDK 2-04.2004, there are two lists of works that are included in the rent. This includes:

• maintenance of various common property;
• technical and other maintenance of communications;
• emergency work;
• Maintenance.

That is, all replacement, maintenance and repair work is already included in the already hefty rent.

Therefore, the housing office must change the sewer riser in a privatized apartment absolutely free of charge. It's already been paid for.

An exception is the case when repairs are required as a result of unauthorized repairs made by one of the apartment owners or any structural changes to the building's common communications. And if neighbors were injured as a result of such interference, then they will have to be compensated for the damage.

Are you filing an application to the court for forced resettlement and privatization of an apartment? You will find this article useful.

How does inheritance of a privatized apartment take place according to law? See here.

How to properly dismantle the riser?

Before installing a new section of sewer pipe, you need to dismantle the old one.

There are two options:

• the work does not affect floor slabs;
• replacement is carried out with the capture of the area between the floors.

The procedure for dismantling the pipe itself is no different in both cases. The difference lies in the need to open the interfloor ceiling before dismantling the pipe in the second case.

Algorithm for dismantling the sewer riser:

1. At a height of 1 m at least from the adjustable fittings, an incision is made on the cast iron pipe with a grinder and the section is removed from the lower socket.
2. If the pipe cannot be loosened using a nail puller or chisel, you can try heating it to soften the old sealant.
3. The riser is analyzed from top to bottom, from connection to connection.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with: Insulation for protecting pipes, made of foamed polyethylene (thermal insulation)

The opening of floor slabs between floors will need to be agreed upon with the neighbors. Dismantling of ceilings is carried out either with a hammer drill or using a crowbar, chisel and hammer.

Note! Work should be carried out without strong impacts, using rocking, heating, and gentle tapping. Excessive physical impact on a cast iron riser can split it.

FAQ

Let's consider the questions that owners of privatized apartments often ask.

Replacing a sewer riser

Since the risers located outside the apartments and connecting several of them are common property, the management company (HOA, housing office, housing department, etc.) is responsible for the replacement. At the expense of the funds that come as part of the rent for the “maintenance and repair of the common property of the house.”

Any attempts to force people to pay additionally for this work will be illegal.

When trying to reject a requirement to replace the riser, to defend your position, you should refer to regulatory documents:

• rules for maintaining the common property of an apartment building;
• Methodological recommendations MDK 2-04.2004.

As proof of fulfillment of your responsibilities for timely payment of utilities, copies of the payment receipt can be attached to the application for repair work.

Replacing pipes in privatized housing

It all depends on where these pipes are located and how many apartments they serve. All pipes located inside the apartment are replaced at the expense of the owner. Work can be carried out by both management company specialists and other persons on the basis of a civil law contract.

• water supply, sewerage, heating pipes;
• counters, faucets and plumbing fixtures for individual use.

All common building communications are maintained by the management company at the expense of the apartment owners. Current repairs include replacement of pipes if they are in poor technical condition.