How to replace water risers in an apartment: a step-by-step guide

How does it change on its own?

This is the most undesirable option. All responsibility, in case of flooding of neighbors, will be borne by the owner of the apartment.And perhaps the person who performed the work, if the owner proves that he did not know about the work, or was misled about the qualifications of the contractor.

Attention! If you do not agree on the replacement of the riser, and even more so do not notify the Criminal Code, then administrative liability for interference with the operation of engineering networks is possible. But there is no direct statutory ban on work

You need to start all the same, with a statement to the Criminal Code. In which it is requested to turn off the riser and, for safety reasons, it is obligatory to carry out pressure testing of the riser by the personnel of the management company upon completion of work

But there is no legal direct ban on the work. You need to start all the same, with a statement to the Criminal Code. In which it is requested to turn off the riser and, for safety reasons, it is obligatory to carry out pressure testing of the riser by the personnel of the management company upon completion of work.

In this case, there is a chance to share responsibility with the Criminal Code. In addition, it is worth pointing out the need to remove the seal from the counter and re-sealing. Perhaps it will do without unsealing, but it is better to warn the Criminal Code.

If you can negotiate with neighbors from below and above, then it is better to connect to the old pipe from them.

The service life of heating risers in an apartment building

Features of connecting to the wiring on the topic Replacing the riser: the legal aspect The water riser is a vertical section of the pipeline, equipped with a shut-off valve at the base. It is public property. Threaded and steel connections are necessary for the installation of galvanized steel pipes, as practice shows, it is more practical to produce by welding.It is worth remembering that when welding a galvanized pipe with conventional electrodes or just welding wire, it is necessary to remove the galvanized layer from the place where welding will be performed and the pipes must be overlapped with each other. Since these layers are subject to evaporation and after welding, there are some places for moisture to penetrate. After welding is completed, it is imperative to treat the joints with a primer with anti-corrosion. The same thing should be remembered when working with threaded joints, because they also tend to deteriorate under mechanical stress and the zinc layer is destroyed just as easily. Terms for replacing risers in an apartment building snip Pipes for internal sewerage and an anti-noise riser device The best material for internal sewer pipes is PVC. Due to their smoothness, PVC pipes are the least susceptible to clogging by solid discharges.

WATCH THE VIDEO ON THE TOPIC: At whose expense should the pipes in the apartment be updated?

Choosing a wiring diagram

The preparatory stage consists in drawing up a wiring diagram for the water supply system. There are two mounting options:

1. The tee scheme assumes a serial connection of all consumers. That is, a pipe is started from the incoming line and tees are installed on it to connect specific plumbing or household devices.
2. Collector wiring of water supply pipes involves the use of a collector, to which consumers are connected through ball valves. This method allows you to easily repair a certain section of the water supply system without turning off the water. In addition, with this scheme, it is possible to evenly distribute pressure between consumers.The cost of a water supply system based on collector wiring is high and a fairly large space is required to accommodate the pipes.

The wiring diagram is necessarily drawn on paper and it provides for the slightest nuances, namely:

• Room dimensions;
• Optimum pipe diameter;
• Dimensions of plumbing fixtures and their installation locations;
• Placement of pipes and their exact length;
• Installation locations for meters and filters;
• Places of bends and turns of pipes;
• Number of fittings.

Important! All work should be carried out only after turning off the water supply from the central line. See the next section for an example of such a scheme.

See the next section for an example of such a scheme.

The sequence of operations when wiring a water supply system with your own hands of a collector type is as follows:

• Emergency cranes are installed on the riser;
• Installation of filters and counters;
• Manifold and ball valves at outlets are being installed;
• Plumbing fixtures are connected;
• The performance of the water supply system is checked.

Upon receipt of a new apartment or when it becomes necessary to replace the old plumbing system, it is quite possible to carry out all the work yourself. In this case, you can get not only significant financial savings, but also perform a better assembly of the water supply system.

Step-by-step instructions - how to transfer the DHW riser

After the project is drawn up and the forthcoming work is agreed upon in the UK, BTI and other responsible organizations, the time comes for the direct execution of the work. Consider the procedure for transferring the DHW riser.

Tools and materials

It is necessary to prepare the following tools and materials:

• Bulgarian for cutting the old riser and cutting the new pipe.
• Gas or adjustable wrench for installing shutoff valves on the outlet.
• Fittings (minimum set - 4 elbows and 1 branch tee).
• Ball valve or valve.
• Plumbing linen, FUM tape or other sealing material.

In addition, tools may be required to make holes in the wall, recesses in the floor. Please note that the manufacture of recesses in the ceiling plate is prohibited. Since this weakens its structural strength.

Preparation and coordination of works

These are the very first steps that are performed before the start of all work. A project is drawn up with a layout of communications before and after the transfer. This is a critical part of the work, which is recommended to be entrusted to knowledgeable and experienced professionals.

With the finished project, you must contact the Criminal Code. After receiving their visa, they go to the BTI, where it will be necessary to make changes to the plan of the apartment. The final stage will be the architecture department, where the project is stamped “for execution”. After that, you can start work.

Dismantling the old

Before starting work, you must contact the Criminal Code to turn off the water supply. This is a paid service.

In addition, it is necessary to indicate how long the work will take so as not to create unnecessary inconvenience to the residents of the entrance.

After the water is turned off, it is necessary to open all the hot water taps and drain the remaining water from the riser.

After that, the cutting points are marked (usually under the ceiling and near the floor), and the riser is cut off along with the outlet. The old pipe is immediately removed so as not to interfere in the room.

Cart preparation

The next step will be the preparation of the supplies.This is cutting sections of a new pipe, 2 short horizontal segments (they determine the distance by which the riser will be displaced) and a vertical section, which is a riser.

In addition, the vertical section may have to be cut and a tee inserted into it to drain to the apartment dead-end DHW supply line.

This step is not necessary, because sometimes the bend is welded directly into the riser without the use of fittings (for example, when installing stainless steel pipes).

Fittings

Fittings are elements that provide a branch, bend or other change in the direction of pipes.

They fully match the dimensions of the pipes, which allows you to create reliable and tight connections.

When transferring the riser, corner bends and a tee are used. The corners are attached to the ceiling and floor sections of the pipe.

Then horizontal pipe sections are welded, to which another pair of corner fittings is attached. After that, a vertical part with a branch (tee) is installed.

Installation of inlet fittings

The inlet fittings determine the boundary of responsibility - common house equipment remains on the side of the riser, and after the valve - the property of the owner of the home.

The stopcock is installed only on the outlet from the riser (horizontal section leading to the plumbing). Installation of valves on the riser itself is prohibited.

Valves or ball valves are used. The second option is preferable because these devices are much more efficient and durable.

When you need to quickly turn off the water, they are much more convenient.In addition, ball valves fail less often, which cannot be said about valve structures.

Wiring connection

The connection of the riser to the wiring is carried out after the installation of all elements, including the shut-off valves of the input, is completed.

Horizontal apartment wiring is connected to a ball valve (or to a DHW flow meter, if it is installed immediately after the valve).

This stage is the final stage, after which the work is considered completed.

After connecting the wiring, water is supplied (the valve is opened in the basement) and the riser is inspected.

The locksmith from the UK, who opened the water, should not be released yet, since leaks may be detected, requiring repeated shutdown and elimination of deficiencies. If there are no problems, the riser is put into operation.

When is a replacement required?

The need to replace the vertical pipeline arises in two cases: after the expiration date of the metal structure and when performing a complete repair of the bathroom.

Depending on the conditions, its replacement is performed in one of two modes:

• planned - when water pipes are worn out;
• emergency - in the event of a malfunction and the appearance of a leak.

In old-built houses, “native” apartment risers are made of galvanized or cast-iron pipes. Metal structures are subject to corrosion, and therefore require replacement.

It is noticed that pipes wear out most of all in interfloor ceilings. And therefore, the docking of the new pipe with the old one should be done outside the ceiling: in the bathroom of the neighbors living on the floor below or above.

For metal pipes, the service life is about a quarter of a century. In reality, they last much longer. But after forty years of service they come to an emergency state.

Even if the pipes look intact after the end of the operating period, it is recommended to replace them anyway. This is explained by the fact that a pipe worn out over time can burst at any time, which will lead to great material damage for both the owners of the apartment and the neighbors affected by the flood.

In a planned mode, it is recommended to replace pipes at the stage of overhaul. When arranging modern interiors, it is customary to “hide” the pipeline into the wall, and therefore it will not be easy to get to it in the event of an emergency.

Cast iron pipes, as a rule, are changed to polypropylene. And such a choice is fully justified by a number of undeniable advantages that the polymer has. These should include:

• resistance to corrosion and aggressive influences;
• smoothness of the inner walls, preventing the accumulation of limescale on the inner surface of the pipeline;
• high strength;
• environmental Safety.

Ordinary metal-plastic and polypropylene pipes of the appropriate diameter are suitable for arranging a pipeline with cold water, and pipes designed for heating systems are suitable for supplying hot water. They are characterized by higher strength and increased resistance to deformation.

Manufacturers of polypropylene pipes claim that the service life of products is about 50 years, and those used to supply cold water are around 100 years.

Compared to metal structures, the installation of polypropylene pipes takes much less time. The use of welding technology makes it possible to obtain a strong and reliable connection with minimal effort.

Repair of the riser of the sewer system

Repair of the sewer riser should be done with the passage of the floor between floors, because these places are the most vulnerable in this system. If this is not possible, then a tie-in is made from the ceiling to the floor.

Stages of repair of a sewer riser:

1. Dismantling: on each floor, a hole is made around the pipe, through which, starting from the top, the old pipes are pulled out.
2. Next, a new sewer system is installed, starting from the bottom.
3. Sewer pipes are inserted into each other and fixed with a rubber ring, which compresses them tightly and prevents them from separating.
4. The highest point of the sewer riser should be located in the attic.

As for municipal houses, they are the property of the city administration, therefore, the repair of risers in municipal apartments is carried out at its expense. If repair work is necessary, you need to write an application and send it to the administration of the city or district, and they, in turn, send a request for repairs to the management company.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with Is it possible to rent out a share of an apartment for rent: division and disposal of your part of the housing

If engineering systems requiring repair are privatized, then this repair will have to be paid for by all residents of the house.

Well, and, of course, if the house is private, then no one except its owner should bear the cost of repairing any engineering systems. Therefore, the owner himself must look for workers who will carry out repairs and pay for their work.

If the persons responsible for the condition of the risers of a particular engineering system strive to evade their duties, then there are two ways to solve the repair problem:

1. First, you can write a statement and send it to the management company, if there is no reaction to it, then you can send a complaint to the housing department. Most often, these measures are enough, but if the problem is still not resolved, then you can go to court. This process is quite long and requires a lot of patience and strong nerves.
2. Purchase the necessary materials and pay for the work of a plumber from “your own pocket”. This method is more expensive, but at the same time faster and easier.

Is it possible to refuse to replace risers in an apartment building?

“Is it possible to refuse to replace the riser?” - an urgent issue for those residents who have made a major overhaul of the apartment, because the proposed general house procedure implies some damage to the owner's property in the bathroom. Is it possible to write a waiver?

Based on the information contained in paragraph 5 of PP No. 491, the risers in the MKD are common property. By law, not one of the residents has the right to prevent the representatives of the contractor (CC), as well as emergency services, State control and supervision authorities, from inspecting the current state of communication equipment and carrying out repair work. A control inspection should be carried out no more than once every 90 days, and in case of an emergency - at any time.

Thus, apartment owners do not have the opportunity to refuse to replace the general communication systems in an apartment building. In response to the refusal of the Criminal Code or the HOA, they have the right to sue.

Step-by-step instructions for wiring a water supply system

Do-it-yourself water supply wiring in an apartment always begins with drawing up a detailed water supply scheme on paper.It should provide for the smallest nuances, since it will be the basis not only for the work, but also for the acquisition of the required amount of materials.

Attention! The scheme should be drawn up with a minimum number of joints, connections and bends - this will significantly increase its operational reliability. If the space of the room allows, then the best option is the collector wiring of water supply pipes, an example of which is shown in the figure below.

If the space of the room allows, then the best option is the collector wiring of water supply pipes, an example of which is shown in the figure below.

The referenced positions refer to the following elements:

• 1,2,3 - ball valves at the inlet of the washing machine, sink and bath mixer;
• 4.5 - collectors for cold and hot water;
• 6 - check valves;
• 7.8 - hot and cold water meters;
• 9 - reducers for pressure normalization;
• 10 - filters providing rough cleaning.
• 11 - emergency cranes.
• 12 - cold and hot water risers.

The most acceptable option for organizing a do-it-yourself plumbing system is to use plastic pipes. They are easy to install and can be used for a long time. The optimal pipe diameter is selected according to the total length of the pipeline in order to provide the required pressure. To do this, you can use special tables that can be found on the Internet or consult with experts.

Attention! If the distribution of water pipes is carried out in an old house, then you should pay attention to the condition of the main riser.It may first need to be replaced, and this event should only be carried out by specialists.

Installation of ball valves

Installation of emergency ball valves at the inlet from the main risers and installation of filters. The taps at the inlet to the water supply system have been reassigned to quickly turn off the water supply when a leak is detected.

Be sure to turn off the water before starting installation. It is recommended to use ball valves that operate at pressures up to 60 atmospheres and temperatures up to +150˚С. Coarse filters are connected to the installed ball valves.

Installation of meters for hot and cold water

As a rule, union nuts are included with the meter, which allow, if necessary, to disconnect the meter without violating the integrity of the system.

Important! When installing the meter yourself, you need to pay attention to the directional arrows that are placed by the manufacturer on the device. They indicate the direction of water movement.

Remember! After starting the system, the installed devices must be registered with the water supply organization.

Mounting of gearboxes

Installation in the water supply system of reducers that will prevent damage to pipelines in the event of pressure drops. It is imperative to install these devices if the water pressure in the riser significantly exceeds the throughput of plumbing devices. It is good if, under excess pressure, excess water will be drained into the sewer, so if possible, a special drain should be provided.

Basic rules for installing the gearbox:

• The pressure regulator gauge must be mounted vertically;
• During installation, shut-off valves must be provided;
• Be sure to take into account the direction of the water in accordance with the indicated arrow on the device.

Manifold installation

As a rule, these devices are equipped with a maximum of four outputs. Therefore, to connect a larger number of consumers, it is necessary to install several collectors.

Important! Ball valves should be installed at the inlets of all consumers to be able to turn off specific devices in case of an accident.

Installation of water pipes

Direct installation of water pipes. To do this, purchased plastic pipes must be cut to size in accordance with the wiring diagram. The joints are welded using a special apparatus, which is quite easy to handle. This technology is described in detail in the article Polypropylene pipes - do-it-yourself installation.

You can start operating a self-installed water supply system only after checking, which is best done with an assistant. This will quickly shut off the water supply if a leak is detected due to poor assembly.

Replacement of water supply risers in the apartment

For example, he has the right:

1. Replace existing pipes in the apartment with newer and more durable ones.
2. Perhaps he also considers it necessary to change new mixers or water flow sensors.
3. Change existing plumbing fixtures to newer and more advanced ones or install additional ones.
4. Perhaps the landlord will think that the old batteries do not heat well enough and will put in new ones. Might prefer to use their new model.

However, when it comes to replacing risers, the situation changes.It is one thing when repairs are carried out that do not affect other residents, and quite another when you change equipment that is common with other apartments.

That is, two points of view on the situation have the right to exist here:

• this is a private matter of the owner of the apartment, and he can do it at his own discretion, whenever he wishes;
• we are talking about common house property and such repairs affect the interests of other people - it is impossible to replace pipes without agreement with them.

The answer to this question is contained in the legislation of the Russian Federation. In 2006, rules relating to the maintenance of common house property were approved.

This regulation clearly states what exactly applies to common house property. In particular, this list includes communications that are located outside a particular apartment.

The responsibility for repairs rests with the management company. In order to organize it, the following may be the basis:

1. Plan of measures for carrying out repair work.
2. The presence of leaks in the pipes or other malfunctions.
3. An act in which it is recorded that a certain part of the common house equipment needs to be repaired.

Who is responsible for replacing the risers - the owner or the management company?

The answer to the question depends on the reason for the replacement. So, if the owner of the apartment plans to carry out repairs with hidden pipe wiring or plans to move the riser to another place due to redevelopment, then all work will be carried out at his expense.

But if a planned replacement is necessary or if an accident occurs, the management company should take over the installation of new risers.In this case, the owner of the apartment must write an application for the replacement of water supply risers. The document is drawn up in any form and is written in the name of the manager of the HOA. The application should indicate the specific problem that needs to be solved.

From the water intake to the apartment

We will return to the question of who should carry out the replacement of pipes. To begin with, let's decide how the water supply scheme of an apartment building is arranged, according to what principles it operates. Simply put, this is an engineering system that includes pipes laid out in a certain way, devices that allow you to regulate water pressure, meters, filters, etc.

Before getting into the house, the water goes through several stages. From the water intake unit, it enters the water treatment station, the water tank, the water pumping station, the water supply network, and only then is it supplied to the consumer. In an apartment building, there is also a special system for water to reach the consumer. She does this along the risers - vertically located pipes.

Outsourcing

It is better when such work is performed by a specialized organization.

In this case:

• an agreement is made
• deadlines are set
• cost of work,
• procedure for payment for work and access to premises,
• warranty obligations.

If the house is serviced by an MA, then she can conclude such an agreement for the performance of work, leaving control to herself.

The owners can also make the calculation through the MA, but this will require a decision of the General Meeting or an advance payment to the current account of the MA, before the start of work.

You can choose a contractor through the Internet or advertisements in print media. Before concluding an agreement, it is necessary to check the details and registration of the company with the tax authorities.

Important! It is better to pay in advance by bank transfer. Perform the final calculation after completion of all work and testing of the water supply system.

What documents are required to work with a contractor?

Apartment owners must confirm their right to the premises. To do this, it is enough to show the original certificate of registration of ownership and your passport. There is no need to submit any copies or even original documents. Only the number of the certificate and the date of its issue are entered into the contract.

If the house is serviced by an MA, then coordination of work and access to the basement will be required. This can be done by a simple written request, both on behalf of the owner and the contractor, with reference to the concluded contract.

Features of the tee scheme

The essence of this method of distributing water supply is the serial connection of the elements of plumbing communications in the apartment, that is, one pipeline leads from the riser, to which other devices that consume water are connected through tees.

Advantages of the tee method:

• cost savings - the number of connecting fittings is reduced to a minimum;
• simple installation work.

The method has its drawbacks:

• difficult search for leaks due to the large number of connections;
• high probability of a change in the pressure level of the system, and consequently a decrease in the current pressure of water in pipelines remote from the riser;
• when repairing, it is required to turn off the entire water supply;
• inconvenient installation of water supply in the apartment, when the room has a small area.

Several nearby points of consumption reduce the risk of pressure surges. During installation, as a rule, a hidden installation of tees is chosen, which makes it difficult to inspect and repair communications.

Why do you need to relocate water supply risers

In any apartment with centralized water supply, there are at least two water supply risers. One cold water (HVS), the second hot (DHW). Read Water risers in an apartment building.

As a rule, they are located nearby, more often they are in the bathroom (bathroom or toilet), and are compactly grouped with the sewer riser.

In some apartments, the location of the riser pipes may change, but the principle remains the same, the water supply risers are grouped together and located in the toilet or combined bathroom.

When building a house, risers are laid “where it is convenient”, taking care only of installing the minimum number of control devices (inlet valves) and metering (water meters).

Riser routes are laid along the shortest distances - straight lines. Because of this, they often interfere with the new layout of the plumbing cabinet.

In older homes, relocating risers is often combined with replacing worn riser pipes. This is reasonable even within the same apartment.

So, to the question of why hot and cold water risers are being transferred, we glorify two answers:

• Timely replacement of pipes;
• For the convenience of redevelopment and organization of a new water distribution.

For example, you have a panel house with a sanitary cabin. The risers are located in the toilet in a special sanitary cabinet.

You have decided to renovate the bathroom and install, for example, a plumbing installation in it.In 9 cases out of 10, the risers are pushed forward from the sewer riser and will interfere with the installation installation. Therefore, they are transferred, moving closer to the walls and freeing up free space for installation.

In the photo you see work example for the transfer of risers.

Who should pay for the replacement of water pipes

Since the amount of monthly contributions that all owners of premises in an apartment building are required to pay has been determined, no additional funds need to be paid for major repairs and replacement of risers. Once again, we recall that the owners include:

• owners of apartments on the rights of ownership, privatization;
• municipal authorities regarding public housing.

All of them are obliged to pay according to the standard established for 1 square meter of living space occupied by a particular apartment. The tariff is multiplied by the area and the amount of the monthly payment is displayed. In fact, all the owners of the premises have already paid and continue to pay for all the work that is planned on the house, including the replacement of risers.

If the situation occurs, you should contact the housing inspectorate, the consumer protection authority and the judiciary for investigation and proceedings. Such a management company will be found guilty, for which they will be subject to administrative punishment.

Each owner of apartments in an apartment building must understand that risers are common property and it is impossible to replace it within their apartment on their own initiative. If someone dares to make structural changes, the result of which may entail the repair of risers at their own expense.

In addition to the planned work to replace the riser, a situation may occur that will require them to be carried out outside the plan. These are accidents due to significant damage due to corrosion or decay.

Replacement features

Replacing risers in an apartment building is a procedure that is carried out jointly with the management company and the service provider.

As a rule, the dismantling and installation of each system has its own differences and features. In particular, the replacement of the heating system is distinctive.

Before starting the replacement, you need to remember the following:

1. Blocking the riser and starting dismantling is possible only with the permission of the head of the management company.
2. It is recommended to install separate taps for each battery. Thus, in the event of a leak or breakdown, it is not necessary to turn off the heating of the entire apartment, it is enough to turn off the water only to the radiator itself.
3. It is impossible to reduce or increase the diameter of the pipes. The heating system has a certain pressure, calculated on the installed pipes. If the diameter is reduced, the pressure may cause bursting and flooding.

You also need to take into account the features of the replacement of risers:

1. If a simple polypropylene pipe is sufficient for cold water, then reinforced pipes should be installed for hot water, because they are more resistant to thermal stress.
2. The fewer fitin connections between pipes, the less emergencies will occur, and therefore experts recommend dismantling immediately in the entire entrance.

According to the law, the management company is fully responsible for the water supply and sewerage system, however, quite often, the apartment owners dismantle old pipes on their own, without waiting for the work of the organization. After unauthorized dismantling, the owner of the apartment is already responsible for the sewerage. In this case, any breakdown and flood will be paid from the owner's funds.

To avoid such situations, it is worth coordinating each step with the management company, as well as documenting the agreements.