As a legal recovery of funds for unpaid utilities, the restriction of water disposal to debtors is practiced. At first glance, the procedure is complex and unlikely. But if you have special equipment, it’s quite possible to block the sewer to a specific apartment. Using plumbing points in the house will be difficult.
Can they block the sewer for debts
The law establishes that in the presence of debts on water supply from individuals and commercial organizations, the Criminal Code has the right to recover funds through the courts or resort to radical measures - limiting the possibility of using communications. This is clearly spelled out in the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation “On the provision of utilities to owners and users of residential premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings” (p. 119). The ban on recent actions applies only to the heating system and cold water supply. Public utilities do not have the right to shut off the heat supply, cold water.
Legality of actions of the Criminal Code
Despite the fact that public utilities can block and block sewers to debtors under the law, there are still some points that indicate the unlawful actions of employees of housing and communal services enterprises, the Criminal Code, etc. There are a number of norms and rules that specialists must observe when disconnecting debtors:
- Just like that, “today and now, because they have decided so,” no one cuts anyone off central communications. They can block the drainage system only with more than 3-month debt for the service.
- Before disconnecting, the service organization is obliged, according to the laws of the Russian Federation, to send the debtor a notice of debt and a request to pay it off. The amount of non-payment, the months for which it is calculated, must be prescribed in the paper. Here, the user of the service is offered to deposit funds into the accounts of the management company for a period of up to 20 days from the moment of receipt of the notification.
- Debt paper is handed to the consumer either by registered letter with notification, or against receipt. Lists of debtors posted on bulletin boards at the entrance are also considered legal. If the non-payer does not arrive in the mail for a registered letter upon notification within a calendar month, it will be considered received.
- You can only turn off the sewers 30 days after the delivery of the notice.
- It is forbidden to block the drainage system due to other communal debts, except for those sought. This is considered a gross violation of the law.
- If the statute of limitations against the debtor has long expired, the actions of public utilities will be considered unlawful. In this case, they can no longer limit the use of water disposal systems.
- Also, a gross violation on the part of the service organization is the creation of unsanitary conditions in the apartment while blocking the sewer. According to the law, the actions of the Criminal Code should not lead to such a result.
- If underage children live in the apartment, shutting down the sewage system is unacceptable and considered unlawful.
The rest of the service organization has every right to block the drainage system. The principle of blocking communication is simple: water flows into the apartment as before. But her assignment becomes impossible due to the installed stub on the riser in the area of the debtor's apartment.
Types of equipment for blocking sewage
When blocking sewers for debts, various systems are used. The most popular ones are easy to use.
Octopus
The main components are a probe with a video camera and a manipulator. The principle of operation of the equipment is as follows:
- Initial check of the riser of the debtor’s apartment for leaks. It is carried out using the probe through the riser pipe from the attic / roof side. In the presence of leaks, blocking is prohibited.
- If the system is tight, the operator lowers the plug through the fan pipe. Her correct position is monitored using a video camera. The flooring of the plug is determined using a special measuring device. As a result, all riser apartments continue to use the sewer. But the debtor is not.
When installing the plugs, a small gap of 3-5 mm remains. With its help, some water will slowly leave. But fecal masses, other drains quickly accumulate in the toilet, sink, bath.
Whale system
Main work items:
- Probe with a video camera. All components of the block are tight and are not exposed to aggressive action of sewage. Video cameras have such good optics that they allow you to closely monitor the status of the riser.
- Remote Control. With it, the operator determines the immersion depth of the probe and the location of the plug. The image is displayed on a small monitor.
- An electric wire that allows you to connect the system to a 220 volt mains supply.
- End cap with lock. Thanks to the latter, no one will be able to push it inside the common riser from inside the apartment. With the help of a clamp, the plug can remain in the system for 15-20 years without reaction to any temperature changes.
The principle of blocking sewage by Whale is the same as with the Octopus system.
Gulp
The equipment has the same operating units as the two previous systems. The principle of blocking also consists in installing a plug. To remove it, you should follow the reverse procedure.
COB system
It works the same as previous types of equipment. Of the advantages of the system are:
- The ability to adjust the cross section of the plug. As a result, the cork can be installed at any pipe diameter with blockages.
- Tubular probe, which allows you to enter it into the riser from the bottom without having to stop the sewage system on all floors.
- The inability to arbitrarily remove the plug or push it into the common pipe.
Good camera optics eliminates the likelihood of errors during work.
Terminator
It has the same principle and technology. The plug can be polymer, plastic armored or rubber elastic. Partial overlap of the system is possible. The main advantages of the equipment:
- the ability to install cork at a height of 33 floors;
- universality of application (can be used on cast iron and polymer risers).
It is impossible to remove the plug from the Terminator on your own.
Sewerage shutdown procedure
Despite the legality of shutting down the sewage system for non-payment of utilities, no service organization has the right to do this without notifying the debtor and earlier than 30 days after delivery of the paper. When the drainage system is blocked, the count goes for minutes. This determines the natural needs of the human body. Therefore, it is better to challenge the actions of public utilities before turning off the system than after it.
If the financial situation is very poor, it is better to conclude an agreement with the management company on an installment payment of debt. Such a decision is optimal and legitimate for both parties.
What to do if you blocked the sewer
If the sewerage is still blocked, the only way out is to pay. And immediately. Or, to resolve the monetary issue, move out to friends, neighbors, relatives. It is simply impossible to use the apartment under such conditions.
According to the law, the blocking of the sewer system must be removed within 2 days after full payment of the debt.
All costs that the service company incurs to install and remove the unit are borne by the debtor. The cost of removing the plug starts from 2000 rubles. The price may vary depending on the region of residence of the defaulter. The same applies to possible emergencies in case of careless self-removal of the plugs and damage to property of neighbors.
