1. From a legal point of view, what is the correct way to replace the riser so that I am not responsible for the consequences of poor quality work or materials?
It is necessary to replace it under a contract for the performance of work with the subsequent signing of a certificate of completion of work. Such an agreement can be concluded either with the management company or with a third company. The main thing is that this company is operating, i.e. not a one-day thing. The best thing, of course, is an agreement with the management company.
As the Criminal Code correctly told you, they are responsible only for welds and threaded connections, i.e. for the work performed (its quality). The supplier or seller from whom the materials (pipes) will be purchased is responsible for the materials. Subsequently, claims can be made against them regarding their quality.
In general, your colleagues correctly told you that the water riser is the common property of an apartment building and you pay a monthly fee for its maintenance and repair. Therefore, repairs must be carried out by the management company in accordance with regulatory deadlines. If the riser breaks, then this headache UK, because they must maintain this property in good repair.
2. How to correctly draw up an agreement so that the management company is responsible for the condition of the riser, accidents and the quality of plumbing work to the extent required by law?
As you write yourself, the Criminal Code is responsible for the condition of the riser according to the law. You just need to enter into an agreement to carry out work to replace the riser and heated towel rail. Upon completion of the work, it is necessary to draw up and sign a Work Acceptance Certificate. Those. document everything.
3. How to get the management company to sign such an agreement if they refuse?
Write them a written statement asking them to conclude such an agreement and carry out the work.
4. Are there standards for the cost of work? It seems to me that 3000 for installing a heated towel rail is too much.
No. Price is negotiable.
5. Is it possible to involve third-party plumbers, but draw up a certificate of completion and acceptance of work, so that the management company checks the quality and is then responsible for the new riser?
As I wrote above, this is possible, but not just plumbers, but a company that can subsequently be held accountable. But no matter how plumbers, whom you won’t be able to find later. There is still a question whether the Criminal Code will agree to this. Because the common property is under her control. But they may be motivated to do this by the fact that responsibility is removed from them.
5. If I replace the riser through third-party plumbers (illegally), and then insure civil liability to neighbors and third parties with an insurance company, will it refuse to pay for a leak, citing the fact that the riser was replaced illegally?
Don't replace it. You need to turn off the riser, you can’t turn it off without the management system. Even if you replace it, you need to find out from the insurance company whether it will agree to such conditions. Insurance payments are made on the basis of the contract and insurance rules; if such a condition as performing unqualified repairs is the basis for non-payment in the specified documents, then they will not pay. In general, here you have no liability to third parties. Let me emphasize once again that you are not responsible for the common property, the management company is responsible.
Every apartment building has vertical pipelines called risers. As a rule, they are installed in bathrooms.
The distance from the wall is about 5 cm. One riser is used for several water taps; a shut-off valve is located in the lower part.
1 Types of riser materials
The water supply riser in an apartment can be made of various materials:
- steel;
- metal-plastic;
- polypropylene;
- copper.
The first and last options for implementing the system yourself are very inconvenient. Steel pipes are quite problematic to connect with each other, and will not allow you to use water for drinking or cooking.
- A polypropylene riser in an apartment building will not cost much. Although installation will require some preparation. A soldering iron is used for connection. However, in the end you can get a quick and reliable connection.
- Special fittings are used to connect metal-plastic products. No additional tools needed. And thanks to the flexibility of the material, installation is greatly simplified. True, you need to be prepared for a higher cost than when using polypropylene.
If you need to organize a riser for cold water supply, standard polypropylene will do; for hot water, you need foil.
Recommendation: if hot or cold water supply is being replaced, products made from the same material should be used. If there are transitions between materials, they may become “weak points” during operation.
In apartments of old buildings, pipes made of galvanized steel and cast iron are found. It's not very a good option, since these materials are susceptible to leaking, rusting. Due to the clogging of the material with dirt, the internal lumen narrows. This may cause permanent water supply shutdown.
Hot water products are more susceptible to such clogging.
2 When and why might replacement be required?
Essentially there are two cases:
- The service life of the pipes has expired. If the system uses metal products, they are designed to last about 25 years. Of course, in reality their service life turns out to be much longer, which means there are risks of complications. When the service life comes to an end, the operation of the pipeline is considered emergency.
- Apartment renovation. Despite long service metal pipes, when a complete renovation is carried out, apartment owners tend to either replace them or move them to another location.
When replacing risers, you should not just cut out the damaged piece of pipeline, but replace it completely, even in ceilings. After all, it is in these places that the greatest wear occurs.
- You must first obtain official permission to dismantle the old pipeline, for which you need to contact the housing maintenance organization;
- repairs must be coordinated with neighbors, especially during periods when there will be a long water outage;
- only specialists can disconnect the existing riser;
- Since there are fewer people at home on weekdays than on weekends, work should be carried out on weekdays. Then turning off the pipeline will be less painful for neighbors.
2.1 List of required tools for installation
Installation of water supply risers (hot or cold) can be carried out using the following tools and materials:
- Bulgarian;
- perforator;
- keys: gas and adjustable;
- ratchets for thread cutting;
- dye.
If polypropylene pipes are used, you will need a soldering iron and connecting elements.
3 Installation features
To perform the operation of installing or replacing a hot or cold water supply riser in an apartment building, several steps must be completed:
- drawing up a diagram of the location of the water supply system;
- turning off the water supply;
- dismantling old pipes (if any);
- assemble and install a new rack;
- connecting the water supply to the system of an apartment building;
- installation of accessories: filters, taps and others.
Please note that turning off the water supply must be the responsibility of utility workers.
The highest quality material should be used. For hot water supply, it is recommended to use a polypropylene pipe intended for use in a heating system.
For cold water supply, you can use products designed for use as a hot pipeline.
The stages of work are as follows:
- After shutting off the water supply, it is necessary to turn off plumbing fixtures.
- A grinder is used to cut pipelines. A distance of about 10 cm should be left above the floor and below the ceiling.
- On the remaining pieces of the pipeline, it is necessary to cut a thread, onto which the FUM tape is then wound, and after them - the couplings. These products are selected with a metal inner sleeve and a union nut. Assembly is done from below.
- Pipes should be cut using a special pipe cutter, taking into account the developed installation scheme. The cuts must be made at right angles. In this case, the depth of the fitting must be taken into account. Therefore, the length of the pipe piece should be 3 cm longer.
- Using a soldering iron, you should connect the pipes.
- Ball valves must be placed as close to the riser as possible.
- At the end, the pipes are laid out. To secure them to the walls, special plastic clips are used.
- Holes should be made using a hammer drill.
- The clips are secured using plastic dowels and screws.
At the end, you need to do testing, carefully checking the riser for leaks. You need to handle the hot water supply pipe carefully to avoid getting burned.
As you can see, the procedure for replacing a riser in an apartment building can be quite simple, despite the existence of certain nuances.
3.1 Installation of the riser (video)
If you have been living in your apartment or house for quite some time, you must have encountered the problem of leaky pipes. When replacing the water supply riser in an apartment becomes an urgent problem, you must try to solve it as quickly as possible, because otherwise you may encounter a leak.
Theoretically, the consumer should not carry out such work on his own if he uses housing and communal services, but in reality everything is different. Therefore, it is better to do it yourself when replacing pipes.
Pipe selection
By visiting the market, you can find pipes made of different materials, namely:
- polypropylene;
- become;
- copper;
- metal-plastic.
It is best to avoid steel and copper ones. This is due to the fact that copper, although it is quite strong and durable, is not suitable for plumbing, because the quality of the water in such pipes may become too low for drinking. As for steel products, they are inferior to modern polymer options in price, operational characteristics and ease of installation.
There is another factor that forces you to abandon steel pipes, which is that it is almost impossible to install them yourself. The result of all this is that you have to choose between polypropylene and metal-plastic pipes. These options are great for DIY installation.
Replacing the water supply riser in an apartment may involve the use of metal-plastic structures, which are reliable and allow connection without the use of additional tools. Such pipes are quite flexible, but the cost of construction can be quite impressive. The connection points must be checked over time, as they are the weak links of utility lines.
It is better if the riser is mounted from pipes of the same type, this will reduce the risk of damage and leaks. If you want to save money, it is better to choose polypropylene pipes, but to connect them you need to master certain skills. You will have to use a special soldering unit. This method allows you to achieve a reliable and durable connection. If an error is made during installation, the situation can be corrected by connecting a new section. Polypropylene pipes can be foil-lined. The last option is designed for hot water.
Where to start
If it is planned to replace the riser in a multi-storey building, then work must begin with obtaining permission to dismantle the water supply system. It can be obtained from the housing maintenance service. Residents of the entrance should be warned that the risers are to be replaced. It is important to communicate the date and time the water supply is turned off.
Events are held on weekdays. The disconnection is carried out by a plumber, who is sent by the housing maintenance service at the agreed time. Replacing the water supply risers in an apartment with your own hands is best timed to coincide with the corresponding work throughout the entire entrance. This will reduce labor costs and reduce the cost of work. If you can’t come to an agreement with your neighbors, you’ll have to install steel pipes, which not everyone is happy with, or install adapters from metal to plastic by installing polypropylene.
Work order
Before you start replacing the water supply riser in your apartment, you need to draw up a diagram of the location of the new water supply. At the next stage, the water supply is turned off, the old pipes are dismantled, and then a new riser is assembled and installed. The water supply is connected to common system, only then can you begin installing accessories such as filters and taps.
The water supply is turned off by a utility service specialist. All plumbing is disconnected, and old communications are cut off from the riser and removed from the ceiling. Using a pipe cutter, you need to cut the pipes to get pieces required length in accordance with the drawn up diagram. When cutting, it is important to consider the depth of the fitting. To the final value you need to add 1.5 cm at the ends. This suggests that the estimated length of the workpiece should be 3 cm longer.
Replacing the water supply riser in an apartment may involve the installation of polypropylene pipes, which are connected with a special soldering iron. To begin with, the technician will have to select and screw a suitable attachment to the device. It is heated to 250 °C. The end of the pipe and the fitting are heated using a nozzle. The heat exposure must continue for 10 seconds.
The pipe is connected to the fitting, after which it remains to wait for it to cool. Afterwards, you can connect the riser to the water supply system and check for leaks at the connection points. it is attached to the wall using clips, while a corner is used to mount the mixer.
Instructions for carrying out work
Instructions for replacing the water supply riser in an apartment include the need to install shut-off valves at the login. It's practical and convenient. If the structure has a tap, it can be cut off to prevent water leakage. The new tap is installed closer to the riser. Replacement work must begin with an inspection of the pipe from the neighbors where the joint will have to be made.
If the connection is planned to be made with a plastic pipe, then this should not cause difficulties. For this you need to use a polypropylene solder joint. When it is necessary to make a joint with a steel pipe, you need to cut a thread on it to attach the adapter. The structure is inspected for strength.
If the pipe is old or damaged, then it is better to use the services of a specialist who will weld the threads, otherwise you may encounter cracks on the surface from the load. Experts recommend cutting or welding about 6 turns. You can also consider the option of connecting using a collet coupling.
Sealing joints
When a major overhaul is carried out to replace water supply risers in an apartment, the work may involve a transition from metal to plastic. For this purpose, a transition coupling with internal thread is used. To seal the joint, you need to use flax or fum tape. The coupling is screwed onto a steel pipe. Using a soldering iron, the plastic section is connected to the pipe and joined using an adapter. As soon as you overcome the ceiling, you need to solder a tee, from which the wiring will go to the apartment.
Replacement of risers according to the law
If you are interested in the law on replacing water supply risers in an apartment, then you should know that, according to Article 161 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, all work is carried out by the management company to which the residential building is assigned. But if the issue of replacing the water supply inside the apartment is decided, then all costs are borne by the owner of the property. This aspect is extremely important in case of controversial issues such as flooding of neighbors.
If the water supply fails, then the owner is to blame, whereas if the flood was caused by the destruction of the riser, then the management company will deal with the problem. Replacing water supply risers in an apartment management company should not be carried out. However, if its specialists refuse to change the risers of the house, citing insufficient funds, then the issue must be resolved by filing a complaint with the housing inspectorate.
Cost of work in Saratov
If you do not plan to replace the risers yourself, then you can use the services of specialists. Using polypropylene pipes, the diameter of which varies from ½ to 1¼, the work will cost from 2,500 rubles. If you have just arrived in new apartment, and steel risers are installed there, then after two years of their operation there is a risk of them becoming overgrown. Experts advise replacing water supply risers in an apartment; in Saratov, experts offer their services at an affordable cost.
Finally
Such work may also be necessary if the apartment has low water pressure. As the flow intensity decreases over time, you may notice that a thin stream begins to flow from the tap. This pressure will not be enough to launch washing machine. In this case, a decision should be made to replace the pipes.
Let's start with what are hot water supply and cold water risers? These are hot and cold water pipes that run vertically through a plumbing cabinet in a bathroom or kitchen.
Replacement of water supply risers is carried out in cases where:- pipes have exhausted their service life or are in disrepair. Most often, water risers are made of steel, and their main enemy is corrosion, which leads to the formation of fistulas. In addition, rust and dirt clog the pipes from the inside, which makes it difficult for water to pass through;
- A major renovation of the bathroom is being carried out, since after the “finishing” finishing, access to them will be limited. In the future, if there is a need to replace or repair pipes, dismantling the plumbing cabinet will not be avoided;
- the location of the heated towel rail changes, for example, moving it from under the washbasin to the opposite wall of the bathroom. To maintain its efficiency, a bypass device or re-connection of the hot water riser is required;
- I want to increase the area of the bathroom. Re-cutting of hot water supply and cold water risers, pressing them against back wall, will reduce the size of the plumbing cabinet and increase its functionality (see article).
Who should change the hot water and cold water risers?
In cases where the pipes are in poor condition, replacing hot and cold water risers in apartment buildings should be handled by the Management Company, since the risers are the common property of this house. Here it is worth clarifying the boundaries of operational responsibility. In a privatized apartment, the Management Company is responsible for communications to the shut-off valve, and then the owner of the apartment.
But in practice, utility workers only make minor repairs, and there is no hope of completely replacing the risers. If you decide to do a major overhaul and there is a need to replace the risers so that they do not disturb you in the future, the answer is clear: the replacement will be made at your expense. The same applies to sewer pipes.
It is better to invite qualified craftsmen to replace the risers. This will reduce time and effort, and will more likely guarantee the quality of the work done.
Which pipes to choose: steel or polypropylene?
Steel pipes for water supply have been used for a long time. Now, with the abundance of much more modern materials, it seems that the material has outlived its usefulness. But many people still choose this traditional option. The advantages of such pipes include:
- the mechanical strength of the product and pipes can withstand both external and internal loads equally well;
- price;
- low ability to deform when heated;
- large selection of any compatible fittings.
- susceptibility to corrosion if the pipes are not galvanized;
- decrease in pipe lumen over time;
- condensation formation contributes to premature wear;
- complex installation;
- a steel pipe changes the taste of water.
- pipes are resistant to corrosion;
- material strength - pipes last for several decades without requiring replacement;
- the smooth inner surface does not contribute to the accumulation of deposits;
- plastic has good noise-absorbing properties, which is important for indoor wiring;
- weight is significantly less compared to metal pipes;
- simple installation process;
- polypropylene pipe does not change the taste and composition of water.
- temperature regime - intolerance over 95°C;
- low resistance to deformation under mechanical load.
Joint connection methods: threaded or welded?
The main method of detachable connection of steel pipes is the threaded method. If installation rules are followed, it provides good strength and tightness. This method is used if it is necessary to switch to a different diameter, for connecting at turns, for lengthening and branching. Convenient to assemble and operate, as well as for repair or modernization. If it is necessary to replace plumbing fixtures, it does not require special equipment.
Welding is a method of permanently connecting pipes. Most often, a butt welded connection is used due to its increased strength. Effective performance of welding work guarantees the absence of fistulas and other defects.
Features of preparatory work.
When replacing hot water and hot water risers, you will need to turn off the water supply. The shutdown is carried out by utility workers. It is better to plan a shutdown for the middle of a weekday in order to cause as little inconvenience as possible to other residents of the house.
Also, before starting work, it is worth agreeing with the neighbors living in the apartments above and below about the possibility of performing work on their territory. This is necessary so that new pipes pass through the ceilings. If the neighbors do not agree, then the riser needs to be changed only within the boundaries of your apartment - from ceiling to floor.
Sewerage. Reasons for replacement. What happens (Cast iron, PVC, HDPE).
It is better to combine the replacement of the sewer riser with the replacement water pipes so as not to re-dissolve dirt in the apartment. In addition, this will allow you to save money, because all the work will be done at the same time and you will not have to pay for turning off the water again.
Reasons for replacing a sewer riser:- emergency condition of the pipe (cracks, blockages);
- redevelopment. Relocating a toilet or bathtub, at a minimum, requires replacing the crosspiece or tee;
- installation of plumbing fixtures at standard heights. Replacing the sewer riser with lowering the level of the outlets will eliminate the need to install various podiums for the shower stall and toilet;
- lowering the floor level. In many standard plumbing cabins, it is possible to lower the floor level below the general apartment level. For installation of plumbing equipment on standard height, you will need to lower the sewer outlet.
High-quality replacement of water supply risers is an inevitable problem that every owner of an apartment or house faces. This operation is considered part of a major overhaul, but the need for such work may arise suddenly. The fact is that the condition of pipelines in old houses built back in Soviet times, it’s hard to call it brilliant. Over many years of operation, pipes undergo slow corrosion, and this leads to leaks. In addition, sediment accumulates inside the pipe over time, which blocks the lumen. The quality of water is deteriorating and its quantity is becoming insufficient. An adequate, albeit expensive solution to the problem - complete replacement water supply riser.
With your own hands or with the help of a team?
This is the first question that the owner of the house will have to answer.
Invitation of a professional team:
- will save effort and time;
- with a high probability guarantees a high-quality result;
- will be very expensive.
Attempts to solve the problem yourself:
- provide significant savings;
- require time and labor;
- will not necessarily lead to the expected result.
When deciding to replace risers yourself, it is necessary to take into account the costs of equipment in addition to the cost of materials. For example, to work with polypropylene pipes you will need a special device. However, even taking into account this point, replacing risers with your own hands can be profitable, especially if there is a fairly large amount of work to be done.
You need to start replacing the water supply riser by drawing up a wiring diagram
How to choose suitable pipes?
The following pipes are available on the market:
- copper;
- steel;
- metal-plastic;
- polypropylene.
The first two options will most likely have to be abandoned. Copper, despite its strength and durability, is completely unsuitable for plumbing, since the quality of water in such pipes may become unsuitable for drinking. Steel structures are significantly inferior to more modern ones polymer pipes both in terms of performance characteristics, price, and ease of installation. In fact, it is almost impossible to install steel pipes efficiently with your own hands.
Most often you have to choose between metal-plastic and polypropylene pipes. Both options are perfect for DIY installation.
Before dismantling old pipes, you need to turn off the water supply
Metal-plastic structures are reliable, and special fittings are used to connect them, which eliminates the need for additional tools. The fairly high flexibility of the pipes themselves also facilitates installation. However, the overall cost of such a design can be quite high, and the connections need to be checked from time to time, since this is the most weakness structures of this type.
Please note: it is best if the water riser is made from the same type of pipes, this will reduce the risk of leaks or damage.
Polypropylene pipes will cost much less, but to connect them you will have to master certain skills: learn how to use a special soldering machine to connect pipes. This method allows you to obtain a very strong and reliable connection. If there is a defect during the installation process, the situation can only be corrected by throwing away the damaged piece and attaching a new one. Polypropylene pipes come in regular and foil versions. The latter are intended for installation of a pipeline through which hot water is supplied.
What to do with neighbors if they are not in the mood for repairs?
Before starting work, it is imperative to discuss the replacement of the water riser with the neighbors above and below. It is optimal that the replacement of water supply risers in an apartment is carried out along the entire height of the building. This will ensure maximum reliability of the structure throughout its entire length.
In practice, it often turns out that neighbors are not inclined to arrange unplanned repairs at their place. In this case, you will simply have to attach part of your riser to the existing one. Immediately before starting work, you will need to turn off the water supply for a while; it also wouldn’t hurt to notify your neighbors about this. In order to cause as little inconvenience as possible to others and maintain normal relations with them, you should schedule the work for the middle of the weekday.
In cases where the replacement of risers is carried out by the management company, problems of this kind often arise: some residents refuse to allow repair service employees into their homes. There are two options to resolve the situation: go to court to obtain an appropriate order or connect the pipes to an existing section of the riser. In the first case, the work will have to be postponed for several months, and in the second, the reliability of the structure will suffer somewhat. However, it is imperative to replace that part of the pipe that is located in the thickness of the ceiling.
Procedure for replacing the riser
To replace a riser in an apartment, you need to perform a number of operations:
- Draw up a layout diagram for the new water supply system.
- Turn off the water supply.
- Dismantle old pipes.
- Assemble and install a new riser.
- Connect the new water supply to the general system of the house.
- Install accessories: taps, filters, etc.
The water supply must be turned off by a utility employee. After this, all plumbing should be turned off. Then the old riser pipes are cut and removed from the ceiling.
Now, using a special pipe cutter, you need to cut the pipes to the required length, in accordance with the previously drawn up water supply layout diagram. When cutting pipes, you should take into account the depth of the fitting. Add 1.5 cm to the distance between them for each side, i.e. the length of the pipe section should be increased by 3 cm.
To connect polypropylene pipes you will need a special soldering iron
To install polypropylene pipes, a special soldering iron is used. The technique for using this device is usually explained in detail in the instructions. First, you need to select and screw a suitable attachment to the device.
Then it is heated to 250 degrees. After this, the end of the pipe and the fitting are briefly heated using a nozzle. Heating usually lasts from 5 to 10 seconds. After this, the pipe is connected to the fitting. It remains to wait for the structure to cool.
After the taps are installed, you can reconnect the riser to the water supply and check for leaks at the connections. The pipes are attached to the wall with clips, and a special corner is used to mount the mixer.