Replacing the valves before and after the water meter - PLN 180 fee

Hello

The photo shows a water meter with two valves upstream and downstream. The first one has a handle, but it lets water through, and a lot of it. There is no handle in the other and closing it by force does not help. the water is pouring anyway.



I reported to the waterworks the fact of replacing the valves with new ones. I argued that both are permeable to water and are in as seen. I added that the installation is about 8 years old. It has the right to corrode and so on.

In response, I received information, the replacement of valves is payable PLN 180. In this the sealing is included in the price. You must purchase the valves at your own expense. We will send an employee for replacement.


Now the question. From what it seems to me, the pre-meter protection in the same way as in the electrical installation, and in this case before the water meter and the water meter itself, belong to the utility supplier. While the cost of valves for two pieces of PLN 20 is PLN 180 for labor ... It's a bit strange. In my opinion, it is probably in their interest to replace both valves and at their own expense .. I can not do it myself because I will damage the seals. In addition, they pay the water bill and I also have the cost of a subscription. So it should be in their best interest to replace both valves.

In the event of a failure, I will not turn off the water because there is no way. They themselves, wanting to replace the counter, have to turn it off on the valve and boom. Because the water will continue to flow. Unless they go to the street and turn off the main valve.

Is it a house or an apartment? Because if the house is home, you can replace it yourself, or find a professional who will do it cheaper, and the only thing left to do is to report the sealing, perhaps for a small fee.

I was looking for a contract but unfortunately it is lost. It is possible that during the burglary, they burned some of our documents, hoping to start a fire. Fortunately, no tragedy for the home. It is a single-family owned house. I can mention it myself, but the question is, what even quiver with the main gate valve? So I have no way to turn off the water either on the valves or on the sowing in the street.

Krek15 wrote:

I can mention it myself, but the question is, what even quiver with the main gate valve? So I have no way to turn off the water either on the valves or on the sowing in the street.

And here is the problem, and the "chiefs" have to deal with themselves, only that they want dearly ...

I am able to understand some costs. But when it comes to flooding the apartment and, for example, closing the valves, it's another way. Let the water meter begin to flow water. And what next, before I report it, it will flood half of the basement because there is no way to turn off the water. They have already replaced the legalization water meter once. At that time, the next two years were working lightly, I look anxiously. In my opinion, after some time, at least once a year or for 2 years, they should check the efficiency of the valves on the street. This one has not been touched in 8 years. So she has a right too. and I do not want to by force because I will twist something else and there will be a wife. The fire brigade has already done that. She made a mistake, as a result of which she unscrewed the rod from the latch. So the team was digging and exchanging.

And it would be enough from time to time to enter the basement and move the valve knob, and when it is difficult to "huff", for example with WD, or with silicone in a spray, everything would be in a better condition. Perhaps this valve, shown on the right in the photo, without the knob, is still to be launched. You need to use a steel brush, maybe WD too.

Report that you want to shut off your home's water supply because you have a leak but the gate valve is not working. He has to come and repair the valve for free, then you can replace the valves.

neo_dc wrote:

Report that you want to shut off your home's water supply because you have a leak but the gate valve is not working.

Well, I do not know if such a "number" will be successful, because they can answer that they have two valves at their disposal: in front of and behind the water meter, which they can use. Unless he finds this leak at the entrance to the building, upstream of these valves. But sometimes such an unjustified summons may also be for a fee.

Search for a company that deals with valve replacement by means of freezing. Later only the sealing fee.

jerry1960 wrote:

Search for a company that deals with valve replacement by means of freezing

And you think it will be much cheaper?

The cost of such a service is about PLN 50-60, of course + valves.

Both valves are working, we managed to move them, but after closing the valves, the water still flows. WD will not help here, I bet that the balls in the competition are damaged or Teflon. We'll see what happens next.

Among other things, WD serves to actuate the valve shaft, but not to seal the valve ball inside.

The basis for "creating" your own water and heating installation is the installation of valves with stuffing boxes.
The ones, although a bit more expensive, last much longer and, when used periodically, do not "scale" and if they start to leak, the head can be easily sealed.

I do not think that a water supplier would go unpunished breaking seals on their own, who will guarantee that the meter, during the valve replacement operation, is not twisted or out of adjustment.

Zygaqra wrote:

I do not think that a water supplier would go unpunished breaking seals on their own, who will guarantee that the meter, during the valve replacement operation, is not twisted or out of adjustment.

Why arbitrary? It is agreed that I replace the valves, I get permission to break the seals. Report that the valves can be sealed after replacing the valves. This often happens when replacing the pre-meter fuses in the power supply.

Report that you have a leak on the valve in front of the water meter. This valve is one of them. At least that's how it is in my city. You give the plumber for a bottle and he will replace the other one - this one is yours.

After another visit, I will add a stormy one, they said that they would replace the valves at their own expense. As long as they dumped the state of the valves on me, claiming that I do not drain them and therefore they are in such a state for which I laughed at them, they will do the rest. Apparently they want to smooth out the money with ignorance. While I said that this is my section behind the water meter, it is theirs before it. And I do not undertake any work related to it. I told them that it was their business to provide water and connection to make it operational. I am not supposed to take care of the latch, but it is their equipment and it belongs to them. Of course, everyone had their own arguments. As a last resort, the exchange will be completely free. I only added that in the event of flooding the house, I will blame them for the lack of appropriate security measures, which should be as efficient as possible to cut off the water supply. Now it is left to wait until next week.

And the whole thing is about 220 zeta. I would pay. She'll tear the bolt off, not my problem. They'll screw the thread, not mine either. As for the equivalent of one grill, someone gets my hands dirty for me ...

Replace with good quality valves with stuffing boxes and good handles - preferably made of Zamak or 2-3mm thick sheet metal, not those pressed from thin.
Spray the new valves with the tectyl type specific (wax for closed profiles - it repels water), it will not corrode so quickly due to condensation on the cold valves.
Best of all, use mushroom valves.