Checking the meters is a prerequisite for their operation

More and more apartments and private houses are equipped with water meters. Recently, their installation has become mandatory. Owners of apartments in new buildings are sometimes lucky, and they enter the apartment with already installed appliances. But all those who have long lived on their living space, you have to do it yourself. In both cases, the filling of water meters is an obligatory action that must be taken before starting their operation. Otherwise, their testimony will not be considered valid.

Finally, meters of water consumption are installed, the happy owner of the apartment pays for water is much less, but do not forget that, like any technical device, the meter requires attention. First of all, this concerns checking its serviceability.

Checking counters is a procedure that is carried out to determine the correctness of the work of this measuring instrument, conducted at limited intervals. The latter, in the definition of metrologists, are defined as the inter-verification intervals. For devices measuring the consumption of cold water, they are 6 years old, hot - depend on its model and can vary in the interval 4-6 years (with a total service life of 10-12 years).

Checking the counters - how does this happen?

This activity can be carried out in two ways:

• The device is dismantled and transported to the testing laboratory, another temporary one is put in its place, if the "native" device is recognized as fit, it is installed in its original place;
• Verification of water meters at home is carried out on site, without removing it.

Just a couple of years ago, most of the companies working in the field of metering services offered only the first option. In this case, the procedure takes a lot of time, and its economy is a controversial issue, since the dismantling of the meter is not free. Most likely, this was due to the fact that in order to carry out verification, the company must undergo a certification procedure, which confirms that its staff has specialists accredited for carrying out these works, and there are the necessary technical means. And the taken device can be taken to a test in any certified laboratory.

To date, the situation has changed, the mass distribution of metering devices has led to the fact that an increasing number of organizations receive the necessary licenses and verification of meters is conducted on the spot. It will not take more than an hour, even if the apartment is not one, but two water distribution nodes.

Checking the counters or replacing them?

Sometimes, when reading the testimony, the owner of the housing himself observes something is amiss: while maintaining the previous level of consumption, the device fixes its significant increase. Such cases are rare, but they happen. Only in this case it is worth thinking about the early replacement of the device.

Some companies involved in the installation of meters often suggest that a new meter be installed, instead of believing what is available. Motivation is extremely simple - the condition of the water pipes leaves much to be desired, despite the long service life declared by the manufacturer, few devices work it out completely. In fact, meter manufacturers determine the period of serviceability in terms of their operating conditions, and there is no need for such a replacement.

According to statistics, no more than 2% of the devices do not pass the verification, so do not think about the new device, if the old worked only 4-6 years.