How to properly seal a water meter in 2021

Is it necessary to seal the water meter?

The procedure for sealing a water meter is considered mandatory and regulated by law. If there is a seal, this guarantees the correct installation and use of the device. A water utility inspector will not put a seal on a faulty meter: water meters that are not marked with a seal are not allowed for use by apartment residents.

Indicators taken from faulty and unsealed water meters are not taken into account. Tariffs for water consumption are set according to a regulatory table, but this tariff is considered unprofitable for users. Therefore, most residents install meters in their apartments.

According to regulatory data, there are 6.9 cubic meters of cold water and 4.7 cubic meters of hot water per person.

Such consumption is considered inappropriate, exceeding real indicators, therefore, from an economic point of view, installing water meters will be more profitable.

What is registration of a water meter?

Before you start transferring readings to the accounting department to calculate water charges, you need to register your water meters.

In order for the resource supplying organization to register your water meters, it needs to make sure that the water meters are installed correctly and comply with legal requirements.

That is, registering a water meter is a procedure after which the resource supplying organization undertakes to take readings from water meters throughout the entire verification period.

When is it necessary to seal the meter?

The law requires sealing to be carried out in the following cases:

1. Initial installation.
2. End of service life of the water meter.
3. The device has become faulty.
4. The ball valve was broken.
5. The integrity of the water meter was accidentally compromised.
6. Replacement of valves and taps responsible for water supply is required.
7. There was an accident.
8. Initially, there was no seal, and there was no passport for the metering device.

During the initial installation, the technician from the management company fills out all the paperwork for the water meter, and if he has the appropriate authority, he seals it. If the plumber does not have the right to seal the meter, then after installing it, they call an inspector from the city water utility. The technician carefully inspects the device for correct installation, then places a seal.

When the meter's service life comes to an end, it is also important to seal it. To do this, the water meter must be replaced or verified. These actions are carried out by a representative of the water utility or the relevant organization. The water meter is checked on site or dismantled and taken to a service center. After installing the device, a seal is made in its place.

In case of unintentional damage to the water meter, in case of an accident in the water supply system, in case of breakdown of ball valves, valves and other components of the water supply system, the meter is sealed. When carrying out repair work, you will most likely need to dismantle the water meter. Therefore, after its installation, you need to call a specialist to carry out legal commissioning and sealing.

For reference: if there is no seal on the meter initially, then you need to hurry. During inspection, the apartment owner may receive a fine for failure to fulfill obligations before the law. All documents and passports must be provided to organizations that keep records of water consumption readings.

If there is no filling

If there is no seal, there will be no penalties for the homeowner. You just have to pay not according to the meter, but according to the standard tariff.

If you pay according to the readings of the meter, then during subsequent verification you may encounter other problems. The actual absence of a seal (subject to its availability according to the documentation) will be regarded as illegal interference with the operation of the device. The operation of the device will be completed, and the owner will have to pay a large amount. The new calculation will take into account the capacity of the water supply system and the round-the-clock use of the meter from the moment of intervention until the day the problem is eliminated. If the date is not set, the recalculation will be made from the last check.

Where to go and what you need to seal water meters

From July 1, 2012, the installation of water meters in an apartment or private house is considered mandatory. If the rules are not followed, homeowners are punished with fines. Installing a water meter, as well as its sealing, is considered an integral process when putting the device into operation. To understand how the procedure occurs, you need to consider where to apply for the service and what documents are needed to implement it:

1. Who performs the filling? The procedure is carried out by authorized employees of the city water utility company or the organization to which the subscriber pays a monthly fee for resource consumption. This includes municipal enterprises, homeowners' associations or management companies. These organizations have entered into an agreement with the water utility for the possibility of self-sealing when installing or replacing a device. Some utilities exempt themselves from the authority to seal the water meter. They refer consumers to private organizations that provide this service.
2. What documents are required for filling? Until 2010, management companies required a special license to seal a meter. It gave organizations the authority to seal; today this document has been abolished. In order for the technician to be able to attach a seal to the water meter, it is necessary to provide him with the passport of the metering device at the time of the procedure. When the seal is installed, a company employee must draw up a report on the work done. This act indicates the meter number, the name of the organization, and the date of its sealing. The seal number and technical data of the water meter are also written down here.

If the procedure was carried out according to the rules, the acceptance certificate is signed by two persons - the owner of the apartment and the foreman.

The document is sent to the management company and stored there until the next water meter sealing date.

Who does it

The most common question that arises among apartment owners where water meters need to be sealed is who is involved in this activity. There may be several options:

• Management Company;
• housing maintenance office;
• water utility

To find out exactly how the work is done and where to go for help, you can call the management company’s hotline or visit its website. If it is the management company that is responsible for sealing and checking water meters, then you can leave a request for the service directly on the website. There you need to indicate your address, in particular, the apartment number, as well as your last name. At the appointed hour, the technician will visit the subscriber and take the appropriate actions. At the end of the procedure, the parties must sign the commissioning certificate, since it is prohibited to use an unsealed meter for its intended purpose.

When contacting the DEZ or Housing Office, the actions will be similar. The subscriber calls the specified number, leaves a request and waits for the technician at a certain time. If the city water utility does the sealing, then the procedure is smoother, since the service is provided directly from the resource supplier. Acceptance for use occurs after the subscriber has read all its conditions on the department’s website.

For reference. To agree on the date of acceptance of the metering device, you must call the number provided on the Vodokanal website or appear in person. Each organization has a set work schedule for a technician who will arrive at the appointed time for sealing.

If the sealing was carried out by third-party companies, then the act of putting the water meter into operation must be handed over to the water utility in person. You can write a letter and send it by email, attaching scanned copies or photographs of existing documents.

How much does it cost to seal a water meter?

According to established legislation, the initial sealing of water meters is free of charge. The subscriber does not have to pay anything at the end of the procedure. Several cases where no fee is charged:

• if an emergency replacement of pipes and fittings was carried out, which was the reason for resealing the device;
• if the meter is new, installed after a device that has expired.

The data is specified in Art. 20 Federal Law “On Water Supply and Sewage”, so if a master tries to take payment for his services, such actions will be considered illegal. There are a number of cases when filling is carried out for a fee. When the seal is broken due to the fault of the apartment owner, it can only be restored for money. Depending on the region and city, this cost can vary from 600 to 2000 rubles. In this case, the service life of the device will be different: for example, old water meters have a longer service life. When answering the question whether you need to pay for a filling, you can first find out about it by phone.

Important. From the moment the application is submitted, an employee of the water utility or management company must put a seal within 15 days. The operator accepts the application, and the day before the master’s visit, calls the subscriber back to confirm his presence in the apartment at the designated time. Work often takes place within 3 days or 1 week, so you won’t have to wait long. For the waiting period, tariffs are carried out according to the regulatory table established by the department.

Who does the filling and when?

The sooner you apply for sealing of the meter, the sooner you will start saving without paying for gas according to the standards.

The gas meter is sealed only by employees of the gas supplier. According to Resolution No. 549, they are obliged to carry it out within 5 working days from the date of submission of the application. However, if they do not meet this deadline, then a new date must be agreed with you, which cannot exceed 15 working days from the date of receipt of the application. If sealing was not carried out within these periods, then the meter is considered sealed and put into operation from the date of submission of the application. This is clearly stated in Resolution No. 354.

To apply for sealing you will need the following package of documents:

• passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
• the meter installation certificate and documents provided by the gas service that carried out its installation;
• technical passport of the equipment.

IMPORTANT!
Self-sealing is prohibited.
Such actions may result in administrative and criminal liability.

How to seal a water meter when first installing or replacing

Having decided who will seal the water meter - the management company or the water utility, you can fill out an application and wait for the procedure to be completed. To put a seal on the meter, the subscriber must prepare all the documentation and also be sure that the device is installed in accordance with all existing legal rules. After submitting the application, a technician visits the designated apartment and carries out the sealing procedure.

During initial installation, the application must be filled out as follows:

• owner details – passport information, apartment address;
• owner contact information;
• planned date of commissioning of the water meter, its serial number;
• certificate of installation of a water meter;
• information about the company installing the water meter;
• the latest readings of the device, if it has already been used;
• date of the next verification of the device.

When replacing the device, the same data is indicated, only the water consumption readings are not taken into account. If the device is replaced, the indicators are reset to zero and after commissioning they are counted from zero. The filling itself is simple: the master uses a special device called a seal. It has a small hole through which the wire is threaded. This wire is also threaded through the eyelet in the meter. Then the seal is fixed at the bonding site.

We recommend. You cannot open, tear or cut the seal yourself in order to manipulate the meter. Such actions are punishable by law and entail a fine; you will have to reinstall the seal, this time at a cost.

Who should worry about having a filling?

Sealing a technical device is a householder's concern if he does not want to overpay according to the regional standard, which, as a rule, exceeds the volume of actual consumption.
The presence of a seal does not change the quality of the meter's operation. But settlements with the resource company before signing the meter acceptance certificate are not made based on its indicators.

Only official sealing becomes the data reference point for the generation of monthly receipts for payment for expended water resources.
Legislative acts prohibit taking into account information for payments for water from meters without seals. Organizations that have received permission to seal measuring instruments provide:

• proper safety of meter operation;
• control of water consumption within the framework of uniformity of measurements.

After applying the seal, the blame for incorrect operation of the measuring equipment falls on the responsible persons who carried out the installation.

What happens if the seal is broken?

After replacing the meter, as well as installing the seal, the user undertakes to comply with the law. Violation of the integrity of the seal leads to liability. Even if the subscriber has not reported violations to the appropriate organization, inspectors will discover them when checking the meter - if the wire is torn off or cut, then this is considered non-compliance with the rules.

Unscrupulous consumers may resort to various tricks to reduce their utility bills.

A broken filling has the following external signs:

1. The plastic seal is completely susceptible to breakage.
2. If a sticker seal is used, an inscription appears on it.
3. If the “Expert” protective device is used, the body is susceptible to cracking.
4. When using anti-magnetic tape, it will change color.
5. In a conventional seal, the wire or twine winding is broken.

In total, there are three types of violations: standard breaking of the seal, without interfering with the operation of the device, connection without using the meter, illegal use of magnets. The minimum fine will be 200 rubles, but this figure varies depending on the city. If the seal was broken and the subscriber connected the water supply bypassing the water meter, the penalty increases. It is at least 1000 rubles. With the additional use of magnets, the fine will be 200-300 thousand rubles, the subscriber may be punished with imprisonment.

Why is the procedure needed?

Anyone who intends to use it in the future will have to seal the electricity meter. The fact is that the seal is evidence of a number of facts, including:

1. No one other than the masters had access to the device. This means that strangers did not interfere with the operation of the meter, and accordingly the information provided was correct.
2. The data shown on the device is correct and not artificially collected.

In order to check the integrity and general presence of seals, organizations providing services regularly check the metering device. Most often, such inspections are scheduled, which allows residents to check the integrity of parts in advance and prepare for the meeting of the experts.

What does it look like

The owner of the device is responsible for the safety of the seal. After the electricity meter has been sealed, check the installed elements yourself for the first time. Today, antimagnetic elements are often installed, which look like a rectangular strip with the inscription “antimagnet”. It is easy to detect such a tiny element.

The classic details look different and resemble a small coin that is attached to the main PU with a string.

The need for filling

This procedure will be required in one of the following situations:

• new recently installed meter;
• a meter whose seal has deteriorated naturally;
• the seal became unusable due to an accident at the station;
• device that needs to be replaced.

In other cases, there is no need to change this element or install it again. This element can serve for a long time, but the task of the meter owner is to monitor its safety and treat it with care when taking readings.

Who can avoid installing water meters?

If the subscriber lives in a room in which installation of a water meter is impossible for technical reasons, then he has the right to refuse installation of the device. This includes the following cases:

• house in disrepair;
• old pipeline requiring major repairs and complete replacement of the water supply system;
• there are no conditions for correct installation of the meter.

All these cases allow the consumer not to install a water meter. Then the calculation of the consumption of cubic meters will be carried out using standard data regulated by the water utility.

Features and Recommendations

Please note the following features on electricity meters:

1. Check the integrity of the seals at least once a month.
2. If you find any defects in a part or if it is torn off, immediately notify your electricity service provider.
3. If the apartment is not privatized, then the replacement of meters must be carried out by the municipality on whose account the given living space is listed.
4. Do not attempt to make or remove a seal yourself: this is not only an illegal activity that may result in legal action and further litigation. It may be dangerous.

Keep all documentation on devices and seals in one place, even if you have replaced meters and are using others. This information may be needed in the future.

How and where to complain if you demand unreasonable payments?

It is a common phenomenon when public utilities responsible for water supply, when putting the meter into operation, try to impose payment for sealing. This is an illegal requirement that contradicts paragraph 5 of Article 20 of Federal Law No. 416. According to this paragraph, water metering devices are sealed by organizations that provide hot and cold water supply without charging the subscriber. The consumer sends a letter to his management company demanding free sealing of the IPU.

In case of refusal, you must contact Rospotrebnadzor, the Housing Inspectorate, other regulatory authorities, including the prosecutor's office. Do not follow the lead of unscrupulous utility services. The law obliges this work to be carried out free of charge. Know your rights.

Installation of metering devices

Those apartment owners who have the technical capabilities for this can install water meters . There are no penalties for those who do not intend to do this. The owner himself must decide whether it is advisable for him to install these meters.

But since water standards are increasing every year, the thought of the usefulness of this water consumption meter arises with the same frequency. The main advantage of installing it is that from now on you will pay knowing what you are paying for, regardless of the regulations. This is truly beneficial if the entire family consumes water rationally.

If you decide to take such a step as installing a meter, then you will have to do the following:

1. Before installing a water meter, you need to buy it. When purchasing, we are guided by the conditions in which it will be installed, as well as the model and price.
2. After purchasing a meter, you need to decide who will install the water meter. There are two options: self-installation or calling a specialist from a private company.
3. Sealing and drawing up a report by a specialist.

Installation and connection, unlike sealing, is carried out at the expense of the owner. When buying a meter, you need to understand the wide selection that our and other industries offer. Both vane and complex ultrasonic ones are available for sale.

The simplest, winged, is the most common and reliable mechanism. The principle of its operation is simple: the impeller mechanism rotates under the influence of the flow of water that passes through the water pipe and the device. It serves for about 12 years. Depending on the purpose, the device is made in a red or blue housing for hot and cold water, respectively.

There is a mark on the body of the device indicating the maximum temperatures. The maximum for a meter installed on a hot pipeline is 150 degrees, and on a cold pipeline - no more than 40 degrees. But there are also universal meters, the temperature range of which is 0-90 degrees.

A technical passport is issued for the new meter, where the serial numbers will match the numbers on the case. After purchasing, you can install the device yourself or contact a professional. You can use the third option and invite a mechanic from the management company.

Unsealing the device

Unsealing the meter is the reverse process, that is, a service for removing a seal that was once installed. This procedure must be carried out in cases where it is necessary to change the old device. This happens if you make major renovations to your house (change wiring, layout, etc.) or if the old meter has become unusable. Accordingly, changing the device must be carried out properly and begin with removing this small part. For this:

1. An application is written to the relevant organization with a request to remove seals from electricity meters.
2. After this, withdrawal dates are determined and a document is drawn up confirming the request.
3. Then the client makes a payment using the provided details, which will need to be confirmed using a receipt or check.
4. The master removes the PU's attorneys. He can carry out the procedure of replacing old appliances with new ones or moving appliances to a new place where they should be, if necessary.
5. Finally, a report on the work done is drawn up.

If the service of unsealing meters was carried out using the services of a private or illegal company, then the resident may be charged a serious fine, and the work done will not be considered legal.

Who should seal the meter?

To find out who installs the seals, just call your company’s hotline or go to its website. The sealing is carried out by the Criminal Code, DEZ or Vodokanal, which must have a license, as well as qualified workers.

Features of installing a seal

The seal does not allow the water meter to be dismantled without violating its integrity. It is a lock that does not interfere with turning off the meter and prevents unauthorized withdrawal of water. The connecting elements are equipped with holes into which wire or Mylar fishing line is threaded. Passing through the entire input unit, the ends of the wire are crimped with a seal.

• Lead or aluminum. They are attached by threading a wire through the holes on the fastening parts of the meter and then compressing the body of the seal with a sealer.
• Rotary. The wire is fixed in the rotary lock by rotating the break-off handle. These devices prevent tampering and illegal consumption of water.
• Plastic number seals. This is an analogue of lead, with a high degree of protection against opening.
• Antimagnetic. Sticker with magnetically sensitive indicator. Under the influence of an external magnetic field, the antimagnet indicator can change color, size, and change its shape. A sticker is applied to the body of the water meter, failure of which is equivalent to theft.

An anti-magnetic seal is placed on the meter in addition to the main one; it prevents people from placing magnets to stop its rotation.