Replacing water supply risers in an apartment - what will you have to face?

Is it legal or not?

The DHW riser belongs to the common house property. This means that all actions with it in one way or another may affect the rights of other owners, i.e. all residents of the house.

The work must be agreed with the management company, and the changes must be approved by the BTI and the architecture department, as the plan of the apartment changes.

The main document defining the rules for using the common property of an apartment building is Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of August 13, 2006 N 491.

According to the requirements of this law, the actions of one owner of the apartment should not infringe on the rights of other people living in the house. This means that uncoordinated actions with life support systems, which primarily include DHW and cold water risers, as well as sewage, entail liability.

It is determined by the Housing Code of the Russian Federation (Article 29), which establishes various types of liability, up to the seizure and sale of a problem apartment.

As a rule, the transfer of risers is done over a short distance, within 1 meter (usually even less). Such a transfer is acceptable, and there are no problems when coordinating the work. However, some owners go much further and plan to move pipes to other rooms or corridors.

It must be borne in mind that the installation of plumbing fixtures above residential premises is prohibited. However, there is no such restriction for pipelines. At the same time, a tap is made from the riser to the water intake devices, which poses a certain danger of flooding the premises of the lower floors.

When agreeing on the project, it will be necessary to justify the need and provide guarantees for the safety of residents of other apartments.

The transfer of the riser is prohibited if, as a result, the water supply regime worsens.

For example, when installing pipes of a smaller diameter, or when using unsuitable materials.

In addition, when replacing metal pipes with plastic ones, the requirements of the EMP are violated (the general potential equalization system changes).

This poses a danger to all residents of the upper floors.Another problem may arise in the fact that plastic pipelines are not able to withstand working or pressure pressure, which not all users are aware of.

The approval procedure requires a lot of time (usually at least 2 months), money and nerves. Often, officials, trying to play it safe, require a lot of unnecessary documents and certificates.

We must be prepared for a long walk through the authorities and not plan work ahead of time. Because of this, many owners make inconsistent transfers at their own risk.

Who and how serves the riser

In order to make repairs at the expense of the service organization, it is necessary to determine the condition of the existing risers. Specialists must assess the technical condition of the risers and draw up an inspection report. Based on the results of the examination, the issue of urgent / non-urgent replacement of risers in the apartment is raised. We have repeatedly touched on issues related to the repair of pipes in the house and talked about how to get them replaced, so we recommend that you look for information on the site.

Heating pipe replacement work

In multi-apartment residential buildings, steel heating pipelines are mainly replaced with plastic ones. To do this, you will need the following tools and materials:

1. angle grinder (Bulgarian);
2. Cutting and cleaning disc for angle grinders;
3. Sandpaper of medium size fraction;
4. adjustable wrench;
5. Bako Keys #1, #2;
6. Screwdriver slotted (flat), curly (cross-shaped);
7. A hammer;
8. Electric drill or perforator;
9. Drills, including for concrete (winning);
10. Hacksaw for metal;
11. Construction level, tape measure, pencil, marker;
12. Sealing materials - sanitary flax, synthetic thread (tangit).

The most popular heating repair material is polypropylene.It has monolithic homogeneous connections of fittings and pipes, after installation it does not require maintenance. To replace the heating risers with polypropylene, additional tools will be required:

1. Welding machine for soldering polypropylene;
2. Special scissors for cutting polymer pipes;
3. Teflon coated soldering iron tips.

When connecting to neighbors' radiators, the algorithm of actions is quite simple. A fitting thread is screwed into the return valve of the radiator of the upper neighbor, a heating riser is laid in transit through its own room, brought into the apartment to the lower neighbor and connected to the fitting of the radiator supply valve.

At the same time, the pipeline is fixed to clamps with a dowel and an elastic band, the use of clamp fasteners (clips) is ineffective - when heated, polypropylene expands and the pipe pops out of the clamps. Overlapping should be carried out in casing pipes of a larger diameter - this will facilitate the possibility of repair and replacement of the pipe.

With hidden laying, the polypropylene pipe is placed in a protective plastic sleeve of a larger diameter or a sleeve made of foamed polyethylene.

When connecting a riser in your apartment (that is, if your neighbors refuse to connect with them), you will need to organize your own connection points. Connection points must be threaded - at the top and bottom, near the ceiling and near the floor.

On a steel pipeline, the thread is welded using electric arc welding, cut with a die or lerk. In all these cases, it is necessary to have space for high-quality work. But most often the riser is located at a very close distance from the walls - this makes it difficult to install the thread.

A good solution in cramped conditions is the use of a GEBO threaded coupling.It consists of crimp conical steel rings, a rubber seal, a union nut and an internal thread.

The steel pipeline is cut off with a grinder, the cut point is cleaned of burrs and paint with sandpaper. A GEBO coupling is mounted on the prepared branch pipe, a fitting with an external thread is screwed into it. A pipeline is soldered to the fitting, which is then connected to the second fitting wrapped in the second installed GEBO coupling.

Action algorithm

Let's briefly go through the scheme of your actions, if you suddenly need to replace the riser and you want to do it yourself. First, you need to get permission for this from the management company. Only this organization can turn off the riser, which is used not only by you, but also by other residents.

Then, if you are going to cut new pipes not only in your premises - from floor to ceiling, but also in ceilings, affecting the neighbors' premises, you must obtain their consent. With a positive decision, purchase pipes of the desired diameter, draw up a water supply scheme and get to work.

There are many companies operating in the market for these services today. If you are not ready for independent work, you can use the services of one whose prices and professionalism suit you. Replacing the water supply riser is, of course, troublesome, but often necessary. Following the algorithm specified in this article, we hope, will help you cope with the task.

Private person services

According to statistics, there is less trust in specialists from the ZhEK. One of the reasons is that in case of emergency, locksmiths can not wait.As for the quality of work, this indicator is sometimes also not at the proper level.

At the same time, the cost of services is sometimes the same as that of private specialists. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that only the housing office employee has the opportunity to block the necessary riser for repair work, he can also record the fact of flooding the apartment. ZhEK is responsible for the work of such locksmiths - this makes it easier to find the perpetrators in case of poor-quality work, you can always turn to the management.

The private trader also has advantages: efficiency and availability at a time when it is convenient for the client, a higher level of work performed in terms of quality and the use of new technological solutions.

The disadvantages include high prices for services, in some cases it is impossible to determine where to complain if the work is performed poorly. It is just as good to have contacts of reputable commercial locksmiths as it is to have contacts of personal physicians.

In what cases is it necessary to replace the risers?

Distinguish between planned and emergency replacement of risers:

• Emergency replacement is carried out in the event of a leak or other malfunction.
• Planned replacement should be carried out after the expiration of the service life of the pipes. The warranty period for metal pipes is 25 years, and after 40 years of operation, the pipes, as a rule, fall into disrepair.

In addition to these cases, it is recommended to replace the risers in the process of overhauling the apartment.The fact is that in modern interiors hidden wiring of pipes is adopted, that is, the pipeline after the repair is completed will be “hidden” in the wall and it will not be easy to get to it.

When replacing a riser in a separate apartment, it is recommended that the work be done so that the new pipes pass through the floors. That is, the docking of the new and old riser pipes must be made in the neighbors' apartment (top and bottom). This requirement is due to the fact that it is in the ceilings that the pipes wear out the most.

general information

In old houses, sewer risers and pipes in bathrooms are made of cast iron - a reliable, but not the most durable material.

Sooner or later, such pipes begin to fail, after which there is a danger of leakage, pipe splitting, damage to property and liability.

In order to prevent sad consequences, the riser and sewer branches should be replaced. In such a situation, the owners often manage on their own and change the riser in the apartment on their own.

Not everyone knows that it is possible to replace sewer and other risers at the expense of the management company.

Sooner or later, such pipes begin to fail, after which there is a danger of leakage, pipe splitting, damage to property and liability.

In order to prevent sad consequences, the riser and sewer branches should be replaced. In such a situation, the owners often manage on their own and change the riser in the apartment on their own.

Replacement and repair of sewer, water pipes and heating pipes are regulated by:

• rules for the maintenance of common property in the MKD;
• rules and regulations for the technical operation of the housing stock;
• methodological guide for the maintenance and repair of the housing stock MDK 2-04.2004.

1. According to the rules, the obligation to maintain and repair communications lies with the owners.
2. Water pipes, which are branches from riser pipes, are maintained, repaired and changed by the owners independently and at their own expense.
3. Riser pipes that are used by several apartments are common property in accordance with the rules for maintaining common property in an MKD.
4. The common property also includes branches from the riser to the first docking connection.

Who should change?

Repair of the common house property is carried out by the management company, to which the tenants have delegated the right to manage the common house property.

The replacement of sewer and water risers is carried out by the Housing and Public Utilities Management Company, HOA or other companies. The decision to repair is made by the management company at the request of the homeowners.

At whose expense?

• By law, homeowners are responsible for the upkeep of common property.
• If the sewer riser is out of order and needs to be repaired or replaced, then the management company must perform and pay for these works from the funds contributed by the owners.
• Homeowners pay these costs in their utility bills under the item “maintenance and repair of housing”.
• If a major replacement of risers on all floors is made, then funds can be taken from payments for major repairs.
• A completely different situation arises when the homeowner wants to replace a serviceable riser for some personal reason, for example, when redeveloping a bathroom.
• In this case, all the costs of replacing the riser are borne by the owner, the work is also carried out independently.
• Replacement of risers in municipal housing is carried out at the expense of the landlord, that is, the municipal authorities.
• In this case, the replacement is made free of charge at the request of the employer to the municipal authorities responsible for citywide housing and communal services.

How to change?

1. To replace a failed or in need of replacement riser, you should contact the management company with an application addressed to its head.
2. Before you write an application to the Criminal Code, you can call a plumber to the house, who will draw up an inspection certificate for the sewer riser, fix the damage and the need to replace the riser.
3. Next, you need to draw up an application for the replacement of the riser in a free form addressed to the head of the Criminal Code with a justification of the reason why the replacement work should be performed.

At the end of the application, write a specific request for the replacement or repair of the sewer riser. Next is the date and signature of the owner. The application is drawn up in two copies, one of which remains with the owner, the other is given to the Criminal Code.

Sample request letter for sewer line replacement.

The homeowner submitting the application must be a bona fide utility bill payer in order for their application to be accepted and considered.

After consideration of the application, a convenient time for the work is agreed with the owner. The replacement of the riser is carried out by employees of the management company or contractors involved by the management company.

The owner must provide free access to the bathroom in order for the pipes to be replaced. How much does it cost to replace a sewer line in an apartment?

The approximate cost of replacing a sewer riser in one apartment is from 4 to 7 thousand rubles.

Replacing the risers - whose responsibility?

Owning a home imposes on the owners a number of responsibilities for its maintenance. Thus, tenants must, at their own expense, repair all water pipes located in the apartment.

The difficulty for some is the question of who maintains and replaces the risers in an apartment building. A riser is a common vertical pipe passing through all floors, through which water enters the house and drainage is carried out. And if the pipes inside the apartments are the personal property of homeowners, then the risers are common property. Residents have the right within their apartment:

• install new radiators;
• replace pipes - branches from the riser;
• change plumbing;
• install individual water meters.

Normative base

In order not to be unfounded, let's turn to a number of legislative acts:

• Art. 161 ZhK RF establishes that the maintenance of common property is the responsibility of those structures that manage the apartment building (management company, HOA, housing cooperative);
• PP No. 491 determines what works are included in the determination of the maintenance of common property;
• resolution of Gosstroy No. 170 establishes the procedure for organizing work in relation to common property during major repairs and current maintenance;
• methodical manual MDK 2-04.2004 gives lists of works included in payment documents, on the basis of which funds are collected for current and major repairs. The document establishes that the replacement and maintenance of risers are paid by residents when paying receipts and do not require additional fees.

What is included in the services?

It is assumed that the old structure is removed, and a new one is put in its place.But these are not the only activities that make up the work.

An appeal to the employees of the Management Company is one of the first steps. They write a statement to her address, where they describe in detail the need to replace the pipes. If no problems were identified during the preparation of the document, everything is drawn up correctly, the answer will be positive.

The procedure is performed in the following order.

• Cutting out old pipes with a grinder.
• Next, markup is created, along which new branches are placed.
• Next, new pipeline structures are mounted.
• Run water to check the tightness of joints and other elements.

All elements that need replacement are delivered to the owner's apartment. It often happens that the owners are equally responsible for both work and consumables. According to the law, all expenses must be included in the receipt for the next month.

Materials and tools for self-replacement of the riser

Riser replacement tools

If independent work is to be done to replace communications, prepare the following list of tools and materials:

• pipe cutter or grinder for cutting cast iron;
• chisel and screwdriver to remove the remnants of old pipes;
• a hammer;
• perforator for removing cement residues;
• grinder (for installing cast iron pipes);
• goggles and gloves;
• pipes from the selected material;
• silicone liquid sealant and / or seals;
• tees, crosses, adapters, outlet for the toilet bowl;
• compensation pipe, if the polymer / polypropylene pipe will be connected at the top with the cast iron pipe;
• clamps for fixing pipes to walls;
• vertical level.

Depending on the complexity of the work performed, additional tools may be required in the form of a soldering iron for plastic pipes. It is used when replacing a cast-iron water pipe with a polymer one.

How to request ahead of time?

According to the regulations, a major overhaul of the engineering systems of a building, for example, a major overhaul of a pipeline, can be carried out ahead of schedule only if a real threat to the life and health of the residents of a particular house is proved.

To make this possible, it is necessary to make changes to the regional overhaul program, i.e. local governments, managing organizations or HOAs must apply to the relevant executive authority that deals with these issues.

Naturally, a decision on an earlier overhaul will be made only after a series of inspections and examinations of the condition of the building.

It is worth noting that in order to request the repair of engineering systems, you need to write an application. It is designed in a free style according to the generally accepted pattern.

Important! The free style of writing an application to the relevant structure that considers this issue is not a reason for refusing to accept it!

When starting to write an application, it is worth starting with the design of the header, where it is prescribed to whom the application is sent (position, company name), after surname name and patronymic manager, initials of the applicant, address and contact phone number).

The essence of the problem is written in the body of the application (for example, a major overhaul of heating networks is necessary), it is indicated when the last inspection is carried out, descriptions of the state of engineering systems are added. After the date and signature of the applicant is put.

As a rule, it takes 10 business days to wait for a response from the management company, which is the REU, ZhEK or REMP.

Do I need to pay for work and building materials housing and communal services

In case of leakage or expiration of the service life, you do not need to take on extra costs. The pipe belongs to shared property. There is a separate column in the receipts of housing and communal services, which indicates the amount of the monthly payment for the overhaul. It is these funds that are used to maintain the objects of common house property in proper condition. If the housing is owned by the state, the costs are paid from the municipal budget. These rules are spelled out in the current legislation.

The reinstallation is carried out by the management company or the organization with which it has concluded an agreement on the provision of such services. It is their responsibility and they do not have the right to refuse the applicant. The purchase of non-standard parts, such as tees for double entry, is carried out by the owner of the property. Standard prefabricated plastic elements are available from utilities.

During the planned replacement of the sewer riser in an apartment building, it is also forbidden to take money from residents.

Under certain conditions, the owner of the dwelling cannot count on free services and must carry out repairs at his own expense.

When you can not count on free services

• There is no need to install a new pipe. Such decisions are made during redevelopment or reorganization, when the position of communications changes, and additional inputs are required. This is usually associated with the purchase of new plumbing, washing machine and dishwasher. Often the owners go to reinstall because of the inappropriate appearance of communications or the smell that only they can hear.
• The applicant has debts for housing and communal services. In this situation, you can count on help only in case of an accident. To solve the problem, you need to pay off the accumulated debts, thus making the missing payment for the overhaul.
• The owner changed the pipe himself. This principle is followed by all manufacturers when they deny the buyer warranty service after his attempt to repair the product on his own.

Independent procedure

• Intervention in the drainage system (this also applies to water supply, heating) is a responsible and not safe step.
• It is possible to carry out the replacement of risers only with the permission of the Criminal Code, upon notification of other residents about the work being carried out.
• You can not change the location of this pipe, its configuration.
• Even if it is customary to do the replacement yourself, you still need to invite a qualified plumber to work.
• If the riser is sewn up with drywall, an inspection hatch should be left to monitor its condition.
• The apartment should always have at hand the telephone of the control room of the Management Company and the emergency service.

When can homeowners be sued?

Replacing the riser of any communication system is considered a complex and lengthy process, during the implementation of which numerous rules and conditions must be observed.

Some apartment owners replace old and rusty pipes with new polypropylene pipes. They can do the work themselves or with the help of invited experts. But after the repair is completed, they can get a subpoena.

The management company or neighbors can act as a plaintiff. Such actions on the part of other owners of apartments or management companies are due to the following points:

• risers of communication systems are the common property of the building, therefore it is the management company that should be involved in the maintenance or replacement of these elements;
• homeowners do not have the right to independently engage in repair work, as they do not have the necessary powers and skills for this;
• apartment owners should only competently maintain common property.

Many people constantly write statements to the Criminal Code, where they indicate the need for urgent repairs, but do not achieve any result by their actions. Repair by the employees of the Criminal Code is carried out only after permission for the procedure is received from all the owners of apartments in the house.

In this video, a good example shows how to change sewer risers in apartments:

Due to the duration of decision-making and process implementation, people often have to deal with leaks and floods. Therefore, owners often replace part of the riser at their own expense.

Due to such actions of citizens, the water pressure in the pipes often worsens. Neighbors begin to send complaints to the Criminal Code, as a result of which an investigation is carried out. Based on the results of this process, it is revealed that a certain owner of the apartment replaced part of the riser without prior approval.

The company's specialists draw up an act, after which they file a claim with the court against the violator.

Often, by a court decision, citizens have to eliminate violations, for which pipes are dismantled, in place of which old pipes that are in poor condition are installed.

How to protect yourself

So that the owner of the apartment, who replaced the pipes on his own, does not face the negative consequences of his actions, it is necessary to secure repairs performed by oneself.

What fine can the owner of a gas stove pay - here you can find out everything on this topic.

Safe replacement steps

For this, the following steps are implemented:

• before replacing the riser, it is necessary to send a written notice of the ongoing repair to the Criminal Code;
• the application shall indicate the requirement to conduct an inspection and draw up a conclusion;
• in the conclusion drawn up by the employees of the Criminal Code, the need for urgent repair work should be prescribed;
• specialists must issue an inspection certificate to the owner of the housing, which indicates that the pipes are in poor condition, and the Criminal Code also allows the owner of the apartment to carry out repairs;
• the company's specialists should provide assistance in the repair process, and it should be free of charge, since such actions are part of their duties.

Only with the above actions can you safely and legally replace the riser in the apartment.

Responsibility for violations

If the Criminal Code or neighbors file a lawsuit, then a citizen who illegally replaced the riser will be forced to face negative consequences. They are required to pay penalty from 2 to 3 thousand rubles, and they also consist in restoring the previous state of the riser.

Therefore, if a person decides to replace the riser, then the process must be carried out under full control by the management company

To do this, it is important to notify the company's specialists about the planned work, as well as to perform all actions under their control.

Examples of replacing a sewer riser in an apartment - in this video:

general information

Sooner or later, such pipes begin to fail, after which there is a danger of leakage, pipe splitting, damage to property and liability.

In order to prevent sad consequences, the riser and sewer branches should be replaced. In such a situation, the owners often manage on their own and change the riser in the apartment on their own.

Not everyone knows that it is possible to replace sewer and other risers at the expense of the management company.

Description of the regulatory framework

There are three types of documents that regulate and control this area:

1. MKD 2-04.2004. This is a manual related to the operation and maintenance of residential buildings.
2. Standards for the technical use of housing stock.
3. Rules for the maintenance of property that is in common ownership.

Replacing risers: who is responsible for it?

RF PP No. 491 provides a description according to which all branches from risers are owned by homeowners. This applies to all types of pipes. This means that the owners are responsible for paying for any costs and services that arise in this area. In communication systems, other parts represent the common property of the house. In this case, the management company becomes responsible for eliminating any defects and malfunctions.

Who should change the risers of an apartment building?

You should not think that if apartment owners use common house risers, that they are responsible for any types of repairs. Because of this, there are often additional expenses that could be protected from.

Therefore, the housing office is obliged to respond immediately, without additional fees and requirements.

Replacement regulations

Typically, replacement is carried out under two kinds of circumstances.Either when a complete renovation of the bathroom is carried out, or if the service life for the metal structure has ended.

Pipe replacement also takes place in two modes, scheduled and emergency. The latter suggests that the integrity of the product has been violated, which is why estrus appeared.

In apartment buildings, the standard warranty period for pipes is less than 25 years. Replacement is necessary, even if the design has retained its integrity after so much time.

Cast-iron pipes are often replaced with polypropylene ones. This is due to the advantages of new designs:

• Long service life.
• Sliding inner walls, on which there is almost no plaque.
• Resistant to corrosion and other formations.
• Protection against deformation due to thermal effects.
• Environmental Safety.
• Strength.
• Ease.
• Thrift.

What is included in the services?

It is assumed that the old structure is removed, and a new one is put in its place. But these are not the only activities that make up the work.

When the designated date comes, the water in the risers is blocked, the remaining liquid is drained. After that, the masters come, with whose employer an agreement was previously concluded. It is these workers who are responsible for further replacement actions.

The procedure is performed in the following order.

• Cutting out old pipes with a grinder.
• Next, markup is created, along which new branches are placed.
• Next, new pipeline structures are mounted.
• Run water to check the tightness of joints and other elements.

All elements that need replacement are delivered to the owner's apartment. It often happens that the owners are equally responsible for both work and consumables.According to the law, all expenses must be included in the receipt for the next month.

Replacing the heating riser, whose concern is this

According to the law, a planned change of elements of the heating system in apartment buildings should be carried out every 25-30 years at the expense of the managing organization, since they are part of the general house communications. When they break down before the specified time, the replacement of the heating riser in the apartment is the responsibility of the housing and communal services, since all tenants pay a monthly rent, part of which is just aimed at maintaining all the engineering communications of the building.

When the tenants decide to update the outdated risers and heating radiators in their apartment on their own, they will have to do this at their own expense. The same applies to the repair of such a heating system, if during operation it failed or was initially installed with violations.

Replacement of heating risers in an apartment of a municipal building should be carried out at the expense of the city. In the event that a system breakdown occurs, it is enough to submit an application to the municipal council of the district, which they, in turn, forward to the management farm.

When an apartment is privatized along with all communications included in it, then the residents carry out any replacements or repairs of heating risers at their own expense.

The main thing

For the correct and effective solution of organizational issues for the replacement of risers, you need to know exactly some of their technical features and legislative status. The main thing here:

• Replacing the riser in the apartment itself will not do any good, just spend money. If you change the riser, then the whole, from the basement to the exit to the ventilation pipe, the top plug, the inspection hatch or drainage.
• Risers are vital elements of the engineering communications system, an accident on which may entail, incl. and human sacrifice.
• Housing legislation regarding risers (Article 36 and Clause 5 of Article 155 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, Articles 290, 292 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation) is clear: risers are not your property, even if the apartment is privatized. Their owner is the management company (municipal housing office, departmental DEZ, private operating company). This, on the one hand, limits the possibilities for you to carry out work on risers within the apartment; on the other hand, it gives quite a lot of freedom of maneuver when replacing the entire riser.
• Replacing risers is an indispensable part of the overhaul of the building, and contributions for future overhauls are included in the payment for housing and communal services. If many pensioners, beneficiaries, students, the unemployed, and others of the same kind live in the houses of this MC, then most likely there will be no free funds in the account of a completely honest MC. This is both bad, because it is necessary to fold, and good, because it gives you the opportunity to put forward your own conditions.
• The time interval between overhauls of a residential building is 25 years. According to the results of the revision, its service life can be extended and extended indefinitely (there are ancient temples), but it is impossible to increase the overhaul interval.
• The management company is not obliged to carry out a planned overhaul and arrange a rout in the house exactly every 25 years. In the same way as the owner of a car is not obliged to change the engine after a few kilometers, if it pulls normally and does not overspend fuel or does not eat oil. This again gives residents considerable freedom of maneuver in resolving organizational issues regarding work on risers both with the management company and with each other.
• A riser on which any emergency recovery work (AR) was carried out during the overhaul period until the next overhaul is considered emergency. Even if the ATS consisted in welding a fistula, through which a drop of water flowed out per day.
• When determining the accident rate of the riser, external signs of accident rate have priority over the papers of the Criminal Code and other instances: patches, clamps, weld seams, traces of caulking. Their statute of limitations does not matter: is 40 years worth it? So much the worse, it was necessary to change in the order of the next overhaul.