How to install water meters yourself: installation and connection diagram for a typical meter
Are you thinking about installing a water meter against the backdrop of regular tariff increases? Agree that it would be a good idea to use it to determine the consumption of water resources and significantly reduce the cost of paying for the use of hot and cold water. You don’t want to call a technician from the utility service for installation, but plan to do all the work yourself, but have never done this before?
We will tell you how to install water meters yourself, where to start and what rules to follow when putting them into operation. The article offers a diagram of the correct connection of water meters, discusses the step-by-step installation process with visual photographs and video tips from experienced craftsmen.
We also paid attention to the legal aspect of self-installation - we explained in detail which statements and other documents should be submitted to which organizations.
The content of the article:
The feasibility of installing the device
Installing a water meter is the first step towards rational consumption of utility resources and competent management of the family budget. After all, the volume of saved cubic meters will directly depend amount to be paidindicated on the receipt.
The widespread installation of metering devices also disciplines water utility workers, preventing them from uncontrollably attributing losses resulting from the operation of worn-out networks to residents.
As the experience of people who have already installed water meters with their own hands shows, connecting a water meter makes it possible to save payment costs by up to 30%, provided that the number of residents corresponds to the number of residents registered in the house.
Accepted standards for water consumption do not correspond to the volume of liquid consumed in real life.
You might be interested in information about how save water using the meter, discussed in our other article.
Installing a meter will help to significantly reduce water costs even in the case when the number of residents in the apartment does not correspond to the number registered in this living space.
For example, if two household members live in it, and five people are registered, then the fee will be calculated from the “average” monthly consumption for each registered family member.
Some owners in apartment buildings with centralized water supply do not want to install metering devices specifically for hot water.
And the reason for this is that many people are close to the situation when, early in the morning or late evening, having opened a tap with hot water, they have to drain the cooled liquid for several minutes while waiting for the hot flow.
In this case, if you install a flow meter for hot water, in addition to the time spent agonizingly waiting for hot water, you will also have to overpay for the cold water flowing from the tap at hot rates.
Therefore, if you systematically face the need to drain water for a long time, think about whether it is worth installing a water meter on it. Maybe it’s enough to limit yourself to just a meter for a pipe with cold water.
Legal aspects of self-installation
The legislation does not provide for categorical prohibitions on the manifestation of such independence. The main thing is to use common sense and comply with regulatory requirements and installation rules during installation.
But in most cases, their connection is carried out by specialized organizations that have appropriate permission to perform this type of work.
If you are forced to use the services of specialized companies, be aware that this is illegal. You can do the procedure of inserting into an equipped water supply system on your own.
When installing equipment, it is worth considering a number of points:
- Purchase devices only from licensed companies. The device must be accompanied by a technical passport.
- Installation of equipment involves shutting off the water supply through the riser, which is quite problematic to do on your own.
- When installing and connecting the device, it is important to follow the water meter connection diagram and strictly follow the technology. Otherwise, if the pipeline breaks, all losses will have to be reimbursed from your wallet.
In order for the readings of a self-installed water meter to be accepted when calculating utility bills, it is necessary that they be sealed and placed on the balance sheet of the local Vodokanal branch.
Registration and registration
Before installing water meters in your bathroom, you need to contact your local water utility in order to obtain the technical requirements for the water meter. This is done by the department for coordinating water metering projects.
Having received permission, you can safely buy a metering device. The rating of the best counters popular among users is given in our other article.
You may also find useful information about existing types of meters discussed in our article: Types of water meters: overview of different types + recommendations for buyers
When purchasing a product, make sure of two parameters:
- The serial number on the water meter must match what is indicated in the passport.
- The device must have a Gosstandart imprint on the seal.
- The date of factory inspection must be recorded in the passport for the device.
At the time of purchasing the goods, the seller must put a store stamp and indicate the date of sale.
The purchased device must be checked by contacting one of the following organizations:
- housing department department;
- water utility management;
- private licensed company.
To carry out the inspection, the device is handed in along with the technical passport. Upon completion of the procedure, a stamp from the inspection organization will be added to the passport and all relevant fields will be filled in.At the same time, a date for sealing will be set.
Keep in mind that it is prohibited to damage the instrumentation seal, otherwise it will simply not be accepted at the water utility. If you accidentally damaged the factory seal, the department can still accept the device.
But, if the instrumentation seal is missing, then the meter data is considered invalid.
The equipment connection plan will clearly describe the sequence of installation of parts.
There is nothing complicated about it. Traditionally, the “garland” looks like this: the stop valve comes first, followed by a collapsible filter, followed by the water meter itself, and the check valve completes the “chain”.
Installing a water meter yourself
In advance, on the day when the water meter is supposed to be installed, you must write a statement to the organization servicing your home in order to call a plumber to temporarily shut off the water supply in the riser.
Stage #1 - choosing a location for accommodation
When choosing a location for installation, it is necessary to assess the current condition of the pipelines and determine whether there is wiring from the risers.
Metering devices can be placed in both horizontal and vertical positions.
The technician’s task is to provide free access to inspect the device.
The meter is placed as close as possible to the point where the main line enters the bathroom. For private houses, this parameter is 20 cm from the exit point of the pipeline.
Most often, the device is placed near the toilet or under the washbasin.The distance of the straight section that must be allotted before inserting the device is specified in the meter’s data sheet.
According to the requirements for installing metering devices, if the shut-off valves are old, they must be replaced with more reliable ones Ball Valves.
For cold water and hot water pipelines, ball valves of various markings are used: for hot water - DN25, and for cold water - DN15.
For installation, it is better to use high-quality taps from trusted manufacturers that can withstand operating temperatures reaching 100°C and above, and high operating pressure.
Stage #2 - purchasing the necessary components
The number of water meters is calculated based on the number of risers located in the apartment.
To simplify the task of inserting a meter according to the diagram, you should clearly understand the purpose of each system node:
- Stopcock – “front line” of the intra-apartment pipeline. To shut off polypropylene pipes, plastic taps are installed; for metal and metal-plastic pipes, brass models are used.
- Cleaning filter – protects equipment from large suspended matter and therefore requires periodic washing. Available in two versions: straight and oblique.
- Check valve – prevents the device from rewinding back when the water supply suddenly stops.
The ball valve can only be in two positions: open/closed.
The presence of a check valve immediately behind the meter is a prerequisite when connecting a water meter.
Placing this device immediately after the meter prevents the possibility of starting an air flow against the movement of water, which is often used by some unscrupulous “craftsmen” when unwinding the device.
Water utility inspectors always check the presence of this valve and never allow the device to be put into operation without it.
The tools you will need to carry out the work are:
- grinder (angle grinder);
- soldering iron;
- scissors or hacksaw;
- gas and adjustable wrench;
- FUM tape or tow;
- corners and bends;
- couplings (to change to another size).
Elbows and angles will be needed to connect the device to the water pipe. If desired, they can be replaced with flexible hoses made of rubber or rubber, the outer walls of which are covered with aluminum or nylon braid.
The flow meter must be supplied with “American” parts and sealing rings.
When planning to install a meter for hot water, you will additionally need to purchase paranitic gaskets, and if the water meter is for cold water, rubber seals. Tow and FUM tape will help ensure the tightness of the American connections with the check valve.
Stage #3 - installation and connection of the water meter
The easiest way to install a water meter is crashing into a plastic water pipe, - made of metal-plastic or polypropylene pipes. The polymer is easily cut with special scissors, the upper part of which is equipped with a sharp knife, and the lower part is equipped with a pipe holder.
Connection or soldering of pipeline elements, made of polymer material, is performed using a soldering iron, the technology of use of which is quite simple.
When dealing with a water supply system made of metal pipes, installing water meters yourself without using special tools is quite problematic.
Therefore, independent connection of metering devices on metal pipes in most cases is combined with a complete or partial replacement of the intra-apartment pipeline.
To simplify the assembly process, first lay out the elements of the “garland” on a flat surface in the order in which you will connect them.
To correctly calculate the number of turns, make a “dry” connection. To do this, screw the filter onto the tap, counting the turns at the same time. Traditionally there are no more than five.
When making a “dry” connection, pay attention to which of the turns the sump occupies the lower position. After this, unscrew the connection, and wind the sealant onto the thread grooves of the stopcock filter.
When tightening the stopcock, the main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise the connection may simply burst.
When assembled, the structure will look like this: the shut-off valve switch, filter sump and meter dial “look” up, and the impeller looks down.
Having measured the length of the resulting “garland”, measure the same distance to the worker at the pipeline insertion site.
Shutting off the water riser in an apartment building should be previously agreed with the water utility workers.
Installation sequence:
- The pipe, previously disconnected from the water supply, is cut. When cutting off a section, it is better to place a basin, since there is a high probability that the remaining water in the pipe will drain a little.
- A valve or ball shut-off valve with a strainer installed on it is connected to the pipeline.
- A pre-assembled water meter block is connected to the shut-off valve with a filter, not forgetting to lay a rubber or paranitic gasket of the appropriate diameter.
- The arrow on the device is oriented in the direction from the shut-off valve embedded in the pipeline. From the side of the sharp end of the arrow print, an “American” is screwed to the filter, and from the tail side - a check valve.
- Having connected the meter to the tap, measure the exact location of the counter thread.
- Cut off excess pipe. A thread is made at the end of the pipe and a fitting is mounted.
- The check valve is unscrewed from the assembled water meter and fixed to the prepared counter thread.
- After installation is completed, the connection between the “American” and the flow meter body is restored.
When assembling the water flow metering unit, carefully follow the direction of the arrows installed on each of the components. The markings in the form of arrows act as a guide, indicating the direction in which water should flow through the meter.
If, when assembling the system, you confuse the direction of the arrows on the device body, check valve and filter, then when checking, a water utility worker will seal the meter won't allow it.
After all, only a system in which each element of the unit is correctly installed can be put into operation.
Stage #4 - checking system functionality
To check the correct installation, the assembled structure is connected to the water supply. To do this, slowly open the ball valve, which cuts off the intra-apartment water supply system from the common riser.
After starting the system, check all threaded connections for leaks and determine if there are any leaks.
If everything is in order, all you have to do is write an application and wait for the visit of the water utility inspector. The controller will check the correct connection, conduct a test run and see if the device works.
After which he will seal the meter with a seal and draw up a commissioning certificate.
Payment according to the water meter readings will be charged from the month following the date of commissioning of the connected meter. To do this, the apartment owner only needs to submit the document to the DEZ in a timely manner.
Information on how to take readings and how to transmit them correctly is discussed in detail in our other article.
You may also be interested in information about timing of meter verification and the rules for its implementation, set out in our article.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Video tips from a technician on installing the device:
Video option for installing a water meter in an apartment building:
Installing the meter yourself is a simple procedure. Its main problem is only in the bureaucratic vicissitudes: filing applications, obtaining and approving permits.
But in the future, you only need to submit your meter for inspection every four years and enjoy the benefits of civilization without overpaying significant amounts.
Have you installed water meters? Tell us what difficulties you had to overcome during this process.
Perhaps you have encountered problems registering your device with a water supply organization? Your experience will be of interest to many users who are just thinking about buying meters. Leave comments in the block below this article.
I have this question: a few years ago I had a water meter installed. Since, in principle, I don’t understand anything about this, I didn’t bother delving into it: the mechanics installed it, the water utility came and sealed it. I pay regularly, no complaints. But recently, papers have begun to arrive from the water utility that they need to check the meter through some company and at the same time they will pay money, and not small ones. Is this legal? Who should check the meters and how?
Hello. The timing for verification of meters is in the device passport, and it is calculated from its date of manufacture, but also in Rules No. 354 at the legislative level, the following points:
«The performer has the right:
require admission, at a time previously agreed upon with the consumer, but not more than once every 3 months, into the residential or non-residential premises occupied by the consumer for representatives of the contractor (including emergency services workers) to inspect the technical and sanitary condition of the indoor equipment, to carry out the necessary repair work and checking to eliminate deficiencies in the provision of public services - as necessary, and to eliminate emergencies - at any time;
carry out, no more than once every 6 months, verification of the accuracy of information transmitted by the consumer to the contractor about the readings of individual, common (apartment), room metering devices (distributors) installed in residential (non-residential) premises, by visiting the premises in which these metering devices are installed, and also checking the condition of the specified metering devices
«.In this case, verification is carried out by an organization with appropriate accreditation, and the consumer pays for it.
Not long ago I was faced with the need to install a water meter. As always, I decided to save money and go through the whole process myself with the help of tips from friends and forum members on the Internet. But the desire to spend less, both money and time, led to me being fined by the employees of the water utility inspection body for installing the meter myself... I didn’t know that I couldn’t do it without the help of an inspector... Where were you guys before?! I would have read the article earlier and there would have been no problems...
So, can you install meters in your apartment yourself or do you need a representative from the water utility?
According to Part 5 of Article 20 of Federal Law No. 416 “On Water Supply and Sanitation”:
«2.4. Features of acceptance of metering devices into operation in the case of independent installation of metering devices by the applicant or with the involvement of a specialized organization 2.4.1. In the case of independent installation of metering devices by the applicant or with the involvement of a specialized organization in the application for making calculations for metering devices, submitted in accordance with clause 2.3.1. Section 2 of this Procedure, attached:
— passport(s) of the metering device(s), with a note indicating the due date for the next verification;
— act(s) of work performed, signed by the consumer and a specialized organization (if any).
When receiving documents, the district IP office copies them free of charge, returns the originals to the applicant, and attaches copies to the application. The district IP administration office does not have the right to require the applicant to submit other documents.
2.4.2. No payment is made by the applicant.
2.4.3. When accepting an application, the District Information Security Administration checks:
— compliance of the device brand with the recommended list;
— the service life of metering devices before the next verification, which must exceed 2 (two) months.
When accepting the specified documents, the District Information Security Administration makes free copies of the documents attached to the application, attaches copies to the application, and returns the originals to the applicant.
2.4.4. If the IPU brand does not correspond to the IPU brands contained in the State Register of Measuring Instruments of the Gosstandart of the Russian Federation, and (or) the period for the next verification is less than two months from the date of the last verification, the GU IS of the district does not accept the application, but at the oral or written request of the applicant to within 3 (three) working days from the date of application, provides the applicant or sends by mail a properly executed written refusal to accept metering devices into operation and carry out calculations on them with a precise indication of the reasons.
2.4.5. If the brand of IPU is not in the List of recommended metering devices, the employee of the district IS GU explains about the quality, accuracy and reliability of the IPU included in the List of recommended metering devices, and also warns about the impossibility of subsequently automatically delivering readings to the district IS GU.
2.4.6. A copy of the accepted application (or information about the return of the application) is sent to the managing organization in accordance with clause 2.3.10. of this Order. The management organization, within a period not exceeding 15 (fifteen) days from the date of the applicant’s application, informs the applicant about the date and time of the inspection to determine whether the installation complies with the current technical requirements. The examination is free of charge. A representative of the management organization conducts an inspection of the installation site of metering devices for compliance with the requirements established by paragraph
2.3.14. of this Procedure for technical requirements during installation, and also checks the serial numbers of metering devices with those indicated in the copies of passports attached to the application.If violations are detected, a representative of the management organization, on the day of the inspection, issues to the applicant a properly executed written refusal to put the metering devices into operation with a precise indication of the reasons. Refusal for other reasons is not allowed
«.Self-installation is legal only if the meter and the quality of its installation are checked and approved by specialists.
Is it legal to install meters yourself? Nobody connects us themselves. You need to call a service, you pay them for the meter itself, and they install and seal it themselves, and for free. Even if the law allows you to install the meter yourself, why bother if you can call a specialist from the utility service who will do everything for free?)
Hello. Those who do not have benefits have to pay for each service.
And where is this fluff - “everything is free”??? We have to unseal the meter (remove the seals) 40 grams, take 77.50 grams for verification, and then call a technician to put a 60 gram seal. You do everything yourself...
Hello. Free installation of IPU is provided for certain categories of citizens in some regions, subject to the availability of an appropriate supporting document. Apparently, Lina has just such a benefit and is lucky with her place of residence.
You can install the meter yourself. Then you submit a request for sealing. A specialist from the water utility/heat and power company comes and checks, if everything is normal, then he seals it and issues an act. Then, with this act, to register a new meter, you will need a sealing act and a meter passport.
This article is informative, but to be honest, it is better to entrust the installation of water meters to professionals, since there is a possibility of incorrect connection of devices and other jambs, which in turn can lead to serious problems. If you are from St. Petersburg, then I recommend the company St. Petersburg Repair Service, a year ago I ordered installation of a cold water meter from them, they did everything quickly and efficiently.
Hello. A year ago we installed a meter ourselves following the state standard, an inspector came and sealed it without checking it. It turned out they put it incorrectly and now they are demanding a fine for the rearrangement.