Any mechanical device fails sooner or later. This also applies to water meters. There is nothing critical in this, since replacing it is quite simple. However, in order not to be penalized by the relevant inspections, the dismantling and reinstallation of the device must be carried out in accordance with a number of rules. In the article we will find out where to go if the hot water meter does not work and what to do in such a situation.
Consequences depending on who discovered the breakdown
When checking by special authorized persons and detecting a malfunction of the meter, the authorities providing utility services to an individual, in accordance with the current legislation, have the right to collect a fine from the owner if the norms of the rules of the relevant decree were violated. Depending on quantityregistered tenants will be recalculated according to the average expense for each resident since the last check, but not more than 6 months ago. The more people are registered in the apartment, the greater the total amount will be. It doesn't matter if they live there or not. The exceptions are those receiving inpatient treatment, who are on a long-term business trip, etc. In this case, it is mandatory to provide relevant documents to prove these events.
If a breakdown is detected on its own and it is not possible to repair the device, it is necessary to write a statement identifying this fact and asking to record the data from the meter. After taking readings and providing a copy of the act, the owner has 30 days to repair or replace the device.
If the hot water meter does not work, where should I go about this? From the foregoing, it is clear that in the event of self-detection of a breakdown of the device, you should immediately report this to the appropriate utility service, that is, the EIRTs of the district or the management company. Otherwise, there is a chance of earning a large fine. Next, consider what kind of breakdowns this device has.
Depressurization
If the meter is depressurized, pipe leaks will occur. To fix this problem, turn off the water supply and record or photograph the current readings. An hour later, the data on the water meter is checked again. If they have changed, then the answer to the question why the hot water meter does not work has not been found, the leak has not been fixed. That is, it is necessaryconduct an inspection of all pipes in the room and the tightness of shut-off taps.
Often the cause of depressurization is a breakdown of the constipation valve, which does not completely shut off the water supply. In this case, the couplings must be properly tightened. If the inspection reveals leaking water pipes, you need to call a plumber to carry out repairs.
Incorrect installation or broken mechanism
Failure of the device is often due to improper installation of equipment. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the presence of symbols on the device body - SVG (hot water meter) or SVKh (cold water meter). If a hot water meter is installed to calculate the consumption of cold water, it will fail after a short time, which will inevitably lead to breakdown or incorrect display of readings.
In some cases, users are faced with a problem when the jet flows freely through the appliance, but the hot water meter is standing, the arrow remains stationary. The reason for this may be the usual mechanical failure of the unit. In this case, both the counting mechanism itself, built-in inside the device, and the rotor can fail. To solve the problem, contact a specialized repair company or replace the device.
Dirty pipes or hot water
If there are various impurities and foreign particles in the water, the parts of the device will become clogged over time, and the device will have to be replaced. Clogging is one of the most common reasons why a hot water meter does not work. What to do in this case? It's pretty easy to spot the problem. It is manifested by the accelerated rotation of the impeller of the device. In order to maximize the life of the meter, if possible, a cleaning filter is cut into the pipe and, if necessary, it is replaced.
It is a flask with a built-in metal mesh inside. To clean the latter, the filter is unscrewed with a spanner wrench. Then the mesh is removed and washed in running water. After that, the flask is set in place. If the filter is equipped with a removable cartridge instead of a strainer, it must be replaced with a new one.
Sometimes the cause of the hot water meter malfunction is the jet temperature being too high. The counter is not able to withstand it. You can avoid breakage if you systematically control the temperature of the water. For standard meters, the maximum allowable jet flow limit is 90 °C. If this mode is exceeded, most likely, the water meter will fail.
Change in pressure and intentional interference
Often the meter readings directly depend on the pressure of the supplied jet. The consumption is partly determined by the diameter of the installed pipes. If this indicator is the same everywhere, then with a powerful pressure, the water consumption will be much higher. Accordingly, the water meter needle rotates at an accelerated pace. If the pressure is minimal, then the arrow may stop spinning. It won't break.
In some cases, the stable operation of the meter is directly affected by the actions of users who deliberately want to suspend or slow down the operation of the water meter in order to save material resources when paying for utilities. Sometimes the so-called craftsmen, in an attempt to slow down the device, cheat, use needles, magnets and other available items. Such interference will inevitably lead to a breakdown sooner or later, causing more trouble to change and reinstall the meter.
Hot water meter not working: what to do?
If a malfunction is found, corrective action must be taken as soon as possible. If there is no recording of the readings of the consumed water, the user will be transferred to the general tariff plan. That is, the calculation will be carried out in accordance with the average norms of water consumption per person. The amount can be several times higher than the monthly fee.
The following actions will help to avoid this:
- It is necessary to contact the Criminal Code or the relevant district service in order to certify the presence of a breakdown and remove the seals.
- Then a decision is made regarding the advisability of repair work or replacement of the device. If the meter is under warranty service and, according to the examination, it will be proved that it was handled properly, repair or replacement will be carried out at the expense of the Criminal Code. Otherwise, the breakdown is eliminated from their ownfunds.
Installing a new device
To carry out repair work, the counter must be removed. In this case, the integrity of the seal will be violated, an act is drawn up about this. Installing a new meter on your own is quite simple, but to register it and install new seals, you will need the help of a specialist enrolled in the staff of the water utility representative office. He will carry out all the necessary work and provide a sealing certificate with new initial readings and the meter number.
If you decide to purchase a new appliance, the following information on prices for hot water meters will help. Water meters cost between 430 and 2,500 depending on the features and manufacturer.
If the temperature of hot water in the house leaves much to be desired, you can install a hot water meter with a temperature sensor. For an apartment, the device will cost from 3,500 to 5,200, and for a house - from 3,800 to 10,000 rubles. Such a device will help save money by distributing readings at different rates. They will depend on the temperature of the water at the inlet. True, problems may arise with the installation of such a useful device, public utilities may refuse. You can resolve the issue in court.
Do-it-yourself repair
Before you start repairing the hot water meter, you need to understand its design and understand what could cause a breakdown. Most devices have a standard device: an impeller, an inlet and outlet pipe, a housing. Mechanismworks due to the action of gears connected to the counting element. Repair is carried out according to the following algorithm of actions:
- The counter is taken apart and the condition of the internal mechanism is evaluated.
- Components are cleaned of limescale and dirt.
- Perform counter check and spinning gears.
- The device is being repaired.
- The water meter is put in place and checked for correct operation.
Since the mechanism of the counter is not technically ingenious, repairing it at home is not difficult. If we talk about electronic water meters, it is extremely difficult to set them up on your own, since they are equipped with digital microcircuits, which only a specialist can repair.
If it is planned to install a simple device, then the price of a hot water meter without a temperature sensor and an electronic display is quite democratic for buying a new device.
How to prevent malfunction?
As a rule, malfunctions and malfunctions in the operation of water meters do not happen often. The mechanism consists of the simplest circuit and is at rest for most of the day. According to statistics, only one device out of 50 is prone to failure, and even then this happens in most cases due to deliberate human intervention in order to slow down the counting mechanism.
For prevention purposes and to extend the life of the water meter, it is recommended:
- carry out inspections in a timely manner;
- prevent mechanical stress;
- clean it in time and prevent excessive accumulation of dust on the appliance.
If the meter has become unusable, it should be replaced as soon as possible, having issued documents confirming this fact.
The article provides information on where to go if the hot water meter does not work and what to do in such a situation.
