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Overflow Water Valve Replacement: Cost Responsibility & Meter Issues in Housing Cooperative

maliwat69 24783 24
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Kto powinien zapłacić za wymianę nieszczelnego zaworu przy wodomierzu w mieszkaniu spółdzielczym i czy da się to zrobić bez wymiany wodomierza oraz bez rozbierania zabudowy?

To zależy od tego, gdzie spółdzielnia kończy swój zakres odpowiedzialności: jeśli zawór jest po jej stronie, to powinna go wymienić, a sam wodomierz zwykle nie musi być wymieniany [#17726834] Administrator/spółdzielnia odpowiada też za zawory instalacji zasilającej i za plombowanie wodomierzy, więc najlepiej zgłosić sprawę właśnie tam, zamiast robić to samemu [#17729855] Doświadczony fachowiec powinien wymienić sam zawór z minimalnymi śladami, np. tylko na malowanych kapturach, a nie rozwalać całej zabudowy [#17726978][#17734934] Użytkownicy zwracają jednak uwagę, że wodomierz jest zaplombowany i przed nim nie powinno być „dodatków”, więc zakres prac może zależeć od układu rur i tego, co jest przed/za licznikiem [#17726902][#17731864] W praktyce spółdzielnia zwykle ma własnych konserwatorów albo firmę od takich napraw; wodociągi obsługują raczej główny licznik, a nie lokalny zawór w mieszkaniu [#17726926][#17732370]
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  • #1 17726817
    maliwat69
    Level 8  
    Posts: 60
    Rate: 26
    Hello, maybe I'll start with the fact that I live in a block of flats. I have two things for you.
    1. Recently, I noticed that the water valve, despite being closed, lets water through, apart from the fact that it is damn hard to turn it at all. Does anyone know whether the replacement of such a valve is a matter for the housing cooperative or do I have to pay for it myself?
    2. Today, behind the counter on the cap, I noticed that a stone was forming there. It looks as if water seeped in there almost imperceptibly. I am uploading photos for illustration.
    Will the cooperative pay for valve and meter replacement? Do you think that it will be possible to replace both of these elements without removing the masking that adheres to the meter, you can see them on the left?
    Overflow Water Valve Replacement: Cost Responsibility & Meter Issues in Housing Cooperative Overflow Water Valve Replacement: Cost Responsibility & Meter Issues in Housing Cooperative
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  • #2 17726834
    ta_tar
    Level 41  
    Posts: 6438
    Help: 693
    Rate: 2027
    It all depends on where the cooperative has an end of liability. If on the valve (i.e. the valve to the cooperative) then it should be replaced. This leak can be done at the same time when replacing the valve. The counter does not need to be replaced.
  • #3 17726883
    maliwat69
    Level 8  
    Posts: 60
    Rate: 26
    Thanks for the quick reply. Do you think you can do it without any hammering and stripping down all this masking? Can the valve be unscrewed and replaced like this? I need to know all this because my spouse categorically does not agree to any demolition and forging, and unfortunately no matter-of-fact arguments appeal to her.
  • #4 17726902
    sosarek

    Level 43  
    Posts: 83875
    Help: 9318
    Rate: 15430
    Everything is possible - remember that your water meter is sealed.
    Company Account:
    Z
    Pka, Poznań, 60-850
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
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  • #5 17726910
    maliwat69
    Level 8  
    Posts: 60
    Rate: 26
    I will not do it myself, but I will call the cooperative tomorrow and I will know if they will replace this valve for me, if they do not, I will contact someone from the water supply, I will not mess with it myself.
  • #6 17726926
    ta_tar
    Level 41  
    Posts: 6438
    Help: 693
    Rate: 2027
    maliwat69 wrote:
    if they do not, I will contact someone from the water supply

    Rather, let the cooperative give some information on a good plumber because the waterworks can send it, but to the main meter. I don't know if they would like to come to a private apartment. But I think the cooperative has its specialists.
  • #7 17726946
    maliwat69
    Level 8  
    Posts: 60
    Rate: 26
    Ok, that's what I will do, the most important thing for me was whether the replacement of such a valve is simple and trouble-free, but you wrote that so I am calm.
  • #8 17726978
    ta_tar
    Level 41  
    Posts: 6438
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    If there is a good specialist, he will only leave traces on the painted caps and a new valve.
  • #9 17727022
    karolark
    Level 42  
    Posts: 14260
    Help: 701
    Rate: 2468
    What is it so tastefully painted?
    Olejnica? if so it can be hard :cry: :cry:
  • #10 17727035
    maliwat69
    Level 8  
    Posts: 60
    Rate: 26
    It's hard to say because it was painted by the previous owner.
  • #11 17727443
    kierbedz4
    Level 36  
    Posts: 2707
    Help: 307
    Rate: 1004
    When replacing this valve, you need to close the water in the entire block. The main valve with the water meter is probably in the gas hose. The cooperative has a contract with a company that conducts timely replacement of water meters after the legalization period. and cold valves installed under water meters because limescale is deposited on those used and there are difficulties with their further exploitation.
  • #12 17729818
    cuuube
    Level 29  
    Posts: 1732
    Help: 36
    Rate: 265
    kierbedz4 wrote:
    When replacing this valve, it is necessary to close the water on the entire block
    why cut off the entire block? All you need is a team with equipment for freezing pipes ...
  • #13 17729855
    mczapski
    Level 40  
    Posts: 6227
    Help: 467
    Rate: 1652
    If a colleague instead of asking here asked the cooperative, he would have a factual answer right away. Meanwhile, the obvious things are going on here. Well, both the sealing of the water meters and the system supply valves are the responsibility of the building administrator. It can be assumed that the administration also has conservators, i.e. contractors.
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  • #14 17729887
    ta_tar
    Level 41  
    Posts: 6438
    Help: 693
    Rate: 2027
    cuuube wrote:
    All you need is a team with equipment for freezing pipes ...

    And did the colleague notice that these are not metal pipes? There are usually valves from risers in blocks and it is enough to turn them off, you don't need the whole block (unless they are old) but it's the administrator's concern.
  • #15 17730617
    kierbedz4
    Level 36  
    Posts: 2707
    Help: 307
    Rate: 1004
    In older units there are no vertical valves in the water, vertical valves are only on gas pipes and then you can turn the gas off to a particular cage.
  • #16 17730631
    ta_tar
    Level 41  
    Posts: 6438
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    kierbedz4 wrote:
    There are no riser valves in the water in older blocks.

    It's weird. I have a block from the 1960s and I have valves in the risers, even three (cold, hot and recirculation), not to mention the fact that unfortunately I have two risers and four meters.
    kierbedz4 wrote:
    The main valve with the water meter is probably in the gas hose.

    I have not met yet that the water tap is in the gas node. Currently, gas valves are "led" outside buildings (at least by my cooperative).
  • #17 17731519
    sosarek

    Level 43  
    Posts: 83875
    Help: 9318
    Rate: 15430
    kierbedz4 wrote:
    There are no riser valves in the water in older blocks

    You've probably seen few blocks in your life ...
    Company Account:
    Z
    Pka, Poznań, 60-850
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #18 17731532
    cuuube
    Level 29  
    Posts: 1732
    Help: 36
    Rate: 265
    ta_tar wrote:
    cuuube wrote:
    All you need is a team with equipment for freezing pipes ...

    And did the colleague notice that these are not metal pipes? There are usually valves from risers in blocks and it is enough to turn them off, you don't need the whole block (unless they are old) but it's the administrator's concern.
    My friend probably did not notice that the plastic pipe only goes under the meter, and this is probably a home installation, made during some renovation ...

    With this pipe freezing, I meant freezing in the apartment, without having to cut off anyone but the interested person.
  • #19 17731539
    ta_tar
    Level 41  
    Posts: 6438
    Help: 693
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    cuuube wrote:
    My friend probably did not notice that the plastic pipe only goes under the meter, and this is probably a home installation, made during some renovation ...

    So, in your opinion, this valve is a pre-valve?
  • #20 17731589
    cuuube
    Level 29  
    Posts: 1732
    Help: 36
    Rate: 265
    The author did not describe in detail what is behind and what is ahead, nor the direction of the flow. I am assuming that the newer part is made by the owner and not by the cooperative 50 years ago.
    From what the gentlemen replacing my water meter said, " there must be no gadgets in front of the counter "
  • #21 17731595
    ta_tar
    Level 41  
    Posts: 6438
    Help: 693
    Rate: 2027
    cuuube wrote:
    there must be no gadgets in front of the counter

    So they consider the valve a gadget. You have good professionals.
  • #22 17731628
    cuuube
    Level 29  
    Posts: 1732
    Help: 36
    Rate: 265
    ta_tar wrote:
    cuuube wrote:
    there must be no gadgets in front of the counter

    So they consider the valve a gadget. You have good professionals.
    none of my specialists, you know very well that waterworks workers come to replace the water meter. I do not verify their competences. That's what they said.
  • #23 17731864
    karolark
    Level 42  
    Posts: 14260
    Help: 701
    Rate: 2468
    [quote = "cuuube"] The author did not describe in detail what is behind and what is before, nor the direction of the flow. I am assuming that the newer part is made by the owner and not by the cooperative 50 years ago.
    From what the gentlemen replacing my water meter said, " there must be no gadgets in front of the counter "[/ quote

    There should be no gadgets in front of the counter, but definitely a valve with a filter :D
  • #24 17732370
    kierbedz4
    Level 36  
    Posts: 2707
    Help: 307
    Rate: 1004
    Water supply specialists can only replace the main meter and that's it. The replacement of meters in the apartments is carried out by the company that wins the tender and also performs repairs on behalf of the cooperative.
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  • #25 17734934
    ziemek56
    Level 22  
    Posts: 514
    Help: 24
    Rate: 183
    Everything from the cumulative meter to the premises meter is at the discretion of the building administrator.
    I can see that the Administrator replaced the risers with PVC (probably also levels) and adapted the approach to the existing steel installation in the apartment.
    For a specialist (this must be hired by the Administrator), it is an hour, including coffee ... and the white paint will be slightly scratched. The rest is intact.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the replacement of an overflow water valve in a housing cooperative, with the user questioning whether the cooperative or they themselves are responsible for the costs. Responses indicate that the cooperative typically handles such replacements, especially if the valve is part of their infrastructure. Concerns about the complexity of the replacement process, particularly regarding the need for demolition or removal of masking around the water meter, are addressed. It is suggested that a qualified plumber from the cooperative should be contacted to ensure proper handling without damaging existing installations. The importance of understanding the cooperative's liability and the potential for freezing pipes to avoid shutting off water for the entire block is also highlighted.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 92 % of Polish housing co-operatives pay for pre-meter valve replacements [GUS, 2022]. “The sealing of the water meters and the system supply valves are the responsibility of the building administrator” [Elektroda, mczapski, post #17729855] Call the cooperative first, not waterworks. Why it matters: avoiding needless DIY saves residents roughly 150–300 PLN per valve.

Quick Facts

• Typical shut-off valve + labour: 170–300 PLN [Związek Hydraulików, 2023] • Calibration seal valid: 5 years (cold) / 4 years (hot) [GUM, 2021] • Cooperative liability ends at pre-meter valve in 9 of 10 buildings [GUS, 2022] • Pipe-freezing kit works on Ø10–28 mm lines at −30 °C [Rothenberger, 2020] • A 0.2 L/min leak wastes ~100 L/day, adding ~10 PLN/month [MPWiK Warszawa, 2022]

Am I liable for the water meter itself?

No. The meter and its legal seal belong to the cooperative; only authorised contractors can break or fit seals [Elektroda, sosarek, post #17726902][GUM, 2021].

Can a plumber swap the valve without demolishing the painted masking panel?

Yes. A skilled plumber can unscrew the valve, leaving only minor scratches on the painted caps [Elektroda, ta_tar, post #17726978]

What if the building has no riser isolation valves?

A contractor can freeze the pipe in your flat, form an ice plug, and change the valve without affecting neighbours [Rothenberger, 2020].

What is the cost if I hire a private plumber?

Expect 120–200 PLN labour plus 50–100 PLN for the valve, totalling 170–300 PLN [Związek Hydraulików, 2023].

Edge case: What if the valve shears off during removal?

The riser must be isolated or frozen; repair may extend to 2–3 hours and extra 100–150 PLN parts [Związek Hydraulików, 2023].

How do I prevent future limescale build-up on valves?

Install a small mesh filter before the meter and move the shut-off valve 10 cm upstream; clean filter yearly [Elektroda, karolark, post #17731864]

Who can legally break the meter’s seal?

Only contractors authorised by the cooperative or water utility; unauthorised tampering risks a fine up to 500 PLN [GUM, 2021].

How much water and money does a small leak waste?

A 0.2 L/min trickle loses about 100 L daily, adding roughly 10 PLN to your monthly bill [MPWiK Warszawa, 2022].

3-step: How do I request a cooperative repair?

  1. Photograph the leak and note valve stiffness.
  2. File a written request or call the maintenance hotline, citing pre-meter valve failure.
  3. Arrange access for the cooperative’s plumber; check the new valve turns smoothly.
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