How to clean a strainer in a straight or oblique design
In order to clean the filter device, you will need:
- containers for draining waste and washing parts;
- wrench;
- rust remover;
- plumbing FUM tape.
Cleaning the device is carried out as follows:
- The access of water to the system is blocked.
- Using an adjustable wrench, the cover of the filtration device is removed (do not forget to put a container for draining waste beforehand).
- The mesh is removed from the device, which must be washed and cleaned. A regular toothbrush will help you with this. If the filter mesh is found to be damaged, it will need to be replaced.
- The clean (new) mesh returns to its place, the thread is sealed with FUM tape. It is also worth replacing the gasket under the filter cover.
- Using a wrench, the device is assembled in the reverse order.
- The water supply is restored and the operability of the system is checked.
We replace the filter if it is unsuitable
Since the cleaning device is a mechanical system, over time it can become faulty. In this situation, it is imperative to replace the device with a new one. To do this, follow the sequence of these actions:
- We turn off cold and hot pressure in an apartment or house;
- We open all existing taps in the room so that all the remaining liquid in the system runs out. This action will reduce the pipeline pressure. The main thing is not to forget to close them back.
- We take a wrench and use it to unscrew the installed cleaning device;
- If there are clamps, then they must be removed;
- We dismantle the old seal at the attachment points;
- We wind a new insulation tape;
- If necessary, attach the coarse filter to the wall. You can do this action with a wrench. Next, we attach it to the pipeline.
Attention! Make sure that the gaskets do not slip from their locations. After completing all the above work, we open the taps in order to check the correct connection and detect water leaks.
After completing all the above work, we open the taps in order to check the correct connection and detect water leaks.
We replace cartridges in cartridge devices for rough cleaning:
- We block the water flow in the house and drain all the water from the plumbing system;
- Turn off the faucet supplying water to the filter;
- We take out the filter with the key. With this operation, the key is placed on the cassette from below.
- Next, we replace with a new cartridge;
- We fasten it with a wrench;
- We turn on the water flow and check the functioning of the system.
We got acquainted with the features of coarse filters and learned how to properly clean them, which is very important for extending the operating period. https://www.youtube.com/embed/IqFZUUovcoQ
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How to choose a filter to install in front of the counter
Mesh mud collectors from such manufacturers as: Valtec, FAR, ITAP, ELSEN, Bogorodsk plant have proven themselves very well.
A high-quality filter is made of brass and has thick walls. It is better not to buy cheap thin-walled filters made of a dubious alloy, as they often burst during installation.
How to install a filter in front of the counter
To install the filter, you will need the following tools and materials:
- adjustable wrench (or wrench of a suitable size);
- linen, FUM tape or sealing thread.
All accessories are selected in accordance with the parameters of the apartment water supply, the standard connection is 1/2 inch.
Allows both horizontal and vertical installation
At the same time, it is important that the direction of the water in the pipe coincides with the flow direction indicator (arrow on the filter housing)
The mud filter is installed immediately after the main shut-off valve, directly at the water supply inlet to the apartment. All joints for greater tightness are reinforced with FUM tape or linen.
The sump must be located with the plug down, while it is necessary to install it so that free access for maintenance is provided.
The installation process itself is as follows:
- First, the filter is screwed onto a stopcock without a FUM sealing tape in order to calculate the number of turns (as a rule, there are no more than five of them);
- Then they notice on which last turn the sump is located with the stopper down;
- If there were 4 such turns, then a sealant is wound on the thread and the filter is twisted four turns. Winding is done with a smooth effort, without jerks, so that the filter does not burst;
- Immediately after installation, it is necessary to check the reliability of the connections by briefly turning on the water.
Do I need to seal the filter in front of the water meter?
Since the sump is installed before the meter, the requirement of some Management Companies to put a seal on the filter plug is quite logical. Indeed, theoretically, the consumer can unscrew the cork and use water from the riser without taking into account.
Further maintenance - how to clean the filter in front of the water meter
Over time, dirt accumulates in the filter barrel, which makes it difficult for water to move. Somewhere this happens 10-15 years after installation, and somewhere much earlier. To restore normal pressure, it is necessary to clean the coarse water filter in front of the meter.
- Close the main valve on the riser;
- Release pressure in the system (to do this, just open any tap), substitute a container of a suitable size under the filter to drain the water;
- Unscrew the nut. For this operation, you will need two adjustable wrenches (or two open-end wrenches of a suitable size). With one key, it is necessary to firmly fix the filter housing in order to prevent the filter or valve itself from being unscrewed, with the second key we unscrew the nut;
- Remove the mesh filter element, rinse in water;
- Clean the tank chamber;
- Install the mesh in place, tighten the plug.
If the mesh filter cannot be cleaned or is damaged, a new mesh can be purchased separately.
Legislative nuances
In privatized housing, the replacement of cold and hot water meters lies entirely with the owner. In municipal housing, according to the standard civil law contract for the rental of residential premises, the tenant is obliged to replace the water meters. This is regulated by the Decree of the Government issued in 2005. In some regions, standard contracts are being amended to allow paying for the replacement of water meters from the local budget.
In addition to regional legislative acts, there is the Federal Law of November 23, 2009 N 261-FZ (as amended on July 13, 2015) “On energy saving and on improving energy efficiency and on amending certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation”. It obliges building owners to install cold and hot water meters. However, the norm is spelled out in such a way that it is not entirely clear what kind of devices we are talking about: about common house or private in each apartment.
Do I need a filter in front of the water meter
Before being supplied to the city networks, the water goes through several stages of purification, however, the plumbing communications themselves are mostly worn out.
Moving along kilometers of pipes, the flow of water carries away rust, limescale and other mechanical impurities.
If microscopic particles do not affect the operation of metering devices in any way, then larger debris can lead to damage to the meters and their failure before the declared resource. The problem can be solved by installing special coarse filters in front of the meters.
For use in local water supply systems, compact mesh filters have been developed, which are available in several designs. They are mostly made of brass and have a 1/2" to 2" female threaded connection.
Recently, pipelines made of polypropylene have been very popular. Especially for them, non-removable sumps in a polypropylene case have been developed, which are welded in front of the meter when installing piping.
To replace such a filter if necessary, you will have to cut and re-mount the entire section. For this reason, even on such pipelines, metal coupling mud collectors are more often installed, and already from them they switch to polypropylene.
Metal filters according to the method of maintenance are divided into:
- Self-flushing - they are a small glass, at the bottom of which sludge accumulates. At the bottom there is a tap, opening which, all the accumulated dirt will be washed off with a stream of water and the filter mesh will be cleaned;
- Flushing - filters, to clean which it is enough to unscrew the plug and rinse the filter element;
- Non-flushing - maintenance-free sumps requiring regular replacement.
The most common type of mud filters for city apartments and private houses are washing "oblique" brass mesh filters. They have a simple and reliable design.
The cast brass body has a beveled cylinder, inside of which there is a filter element - a stainless steel mesh, thanks to which all debris is retained in the inclined cylinder.
To clean the filter, it is enough to unscrew the plug with a hexagon with a wrench and remove the mesh.
"Slanting" brass mesh filters are universal - they are suitable for coarse filtration of both cold and hot water. Their average service life is at least 20 years.
How to choose and install coarse water filters in front of the meter
The water that ends up in our taps, filter systems, expensive plumbing equipment, as a rule, undergoes multi-stage preliminary purification, but due to the deterioration of plumbing systems, it contains a lot of mechanical impurities (sand, rust, oxidation products, etc.). That is why the first step in the purification of tap water used by your family should be a coarse water filter in front of the meter.
Important! Water consumption meters do not contain independent protection and filter elements, they easily fail and have strict installation regulations. Therefore, filters installed in front of the water meter are an indispensable element of the plumbing system.
The coarse water filter performs a barrier function, primary purification of the flow from large particles and is selected based on the following parameters:
- throughput, cross-sectional diameter and type of pipe connection;
- allowable pressure and temperature;
- degree of filtration and the amount of solid impurities.
An approximate scheme for replacing a water meter
The replacement of the meter must be agreed with the managing organization and the team of plumbers serving the house. Sometimes it happens that it is necessary to turn off the water in the riser to all floors, and this requires the permission of the management company and the call of plumbers. In addition, the management of the management company may not allow you to replace the meter on your own, and will insist on the work being carried out by specialists. In this case, it is better to agree. Although legally independent replacement of meters is not prohibited. And if all the approvals have been passed, you can begin to replace the meter on your own.
In order to independently install a water meter, you will need an adjustable wrench, a grinder, a hacksaw, a soldering iron, packaging (to prevent leaks), mounting clamps, couplings (if the pipes have different diameters), a filter, a flipper and rags.
Replacing the counter involves work in several stages. First of all, you need to turn off the water supply.Then, with an adjustable wrench, the nuts are twisted, which hold the meter to be replaced (after dismantling the meter, the water remaining in the pipes may drain). The free ends of the pipes must be cleaned from mechanical impurities. If there were filters, then they need to be replaced or rinsed well.
A new water meter must have special protective caps at the outlets. It is recommended to remove them immediately before installation.
The last stage is the assembly and fixing of the counter. First, a coarse water filter is installed. After it, the fitting is mounted. Now, with the help of cap nuts, you can fix the meter and install a check valve. Further, the assembled system can be directly mounted in place. If the plumbing system in the house is made of polypropylene pipes, then it will be enough to fix the adapter in the check valve and solder the ends of the pipes with a plastic soldering iron. If the pipeline is iron, you need to connect its parts with plastic fittings.
Before you finally fix the new water meter to the water, you need to check the movement of water and the direction of the arrow on the water meter housing. Next, you need to install gaskets and fix the water meter. The nuts are tightened without much effort: the counter must be clearly horizontal.
Now you can turn on the water and check for leaks
After the manipulations, you need to call a representative of the management company. He will take readings from the new device and from the old one (before the arrival of the controller, you cannot throw out the old meters!), He will seal the installed meter and make a mark in the technical documentation of the device. From this moment on, the water meter readings are considered official.
How to choose
When choosing a cleaning device, one should proceed from the purpose of each particular apparatus. The coarse filter for individual use has smaller volume indicators, and its installation and cleaning is easier. Devices for apartment buildings and industrial purposes are chosen by specialists.
When buying, you should check the device for visible damage and cracks - exclude factory and shipping defects.
Design flaws are a relative concept. Who is warned is armed. Therefore, in each case, before buying, you should read the instructions for using the model, make inquiries from the seller.
Disadvantages are revealed, unfortunately, only during operation, but this does not affect the quality of the filter, it only complicates maintenance and operation.
Before purchasing, you need to make sure that the configuration of the model fully complies with the declared list in the instruction manual. Warranties are required. When installing the filter yourself, do not use incomplete parts and tools if special fittings and keys are included in the purchase.
