The main reasons for the noise and squeak of the gas meter

If the gas meter creaks in the apartment, there can be many reasons for this. Only a specialist should understand the problem. Under no circumstances should you interfere with the operation of the device yourself.

The principle of operation of the gas meter

The operation of the device depends on its type. The most common is the membrane meter, which is installed in apartments and private houses. There are two chambers with membranes inside the apparatus. Gas constantly passes through them in turn - first through one chamber, stretching the membrane, then through the second. When the gas passes, the membrane film switches the working valve to the second one. Then the action is repeated. This process is continuous, moving in a circle. The frequency of valve switching and diaphragm expansion depends on the amount of gas passing through the meter. Here the stem, connected to the pendulum, drives the dial.

Other types of counters work like this:

• Drum. It has a drum inside through which the gas moves. One wheel revolution is equal to a specific amount of fuel passed through it.
• Levitating. The force of the gas flow drives the rotating element inside the device. The number of revolutions is displayed on the dial.
• Vortex. It has sensors-detectors inside that read the vortex flows created by the passing gas. In the future, the amount of the used resource is displayed on the digital panel.
• Jet. Has a special emitter inside. It determines the volume of gas that passes through it.
• Rotary. It has inside working rotors that rotate during the passage of gas through the cavity of the device.
• Turbine. Gas flows through a turbine built into the apparatus. It provokes the speed of the turbine. Their number is equal to a specific volume of gas.

There is also a modern ultrasonic meter. It works on the principle of ultrasound movement in a pipeline from different sides of the pipeline. One stream moves towards the gas, the other in the direction of its movement. To calculate the volume of fuel used, the device determines the difference in the gas flow rate.

What noises are clearly audible

More often, owners of gas meters characterize third-party noises in different ways. The device can beep, crack, click and even whistle. The sounds are heard especially clearly at night if the apartment has gas heating and a boiler located inside with all the components.

Basically, the device that makes third-party sounds is outdoor. The conditions of its operation lead to this.

In any case, the noises from the metering device emanate when the device is already faulty, will soon become unusable, or there are temporary problems.

The reasons for the squeak

The first reason why the gas meter creaks and makes any other sounds is foreign objects inside the case: insects, small stones, leaves, dirt trapped inside. If they hit the meter body and if it vibrates, they can completely fall into the interior of the device.

Do not write off the design features of the device. For example, noise and squeaking noise during operation is normal for rotary meters. Especially at low temperatures.

The broken body tightness is another reason why the meter can make noise. Most often, the squeak comes from the outgoing gas stream. Only a specialist should assess the tightness of the structure. If depressurization is observed in the area of ​​the dial, an urgent replacement of the device is required. Such a device does not count correctly. As a result, the subscriber will pay a large amount for gas or an average one.

Metering devices are noisy, which have completely served their life, but are still in working position. This is especially true for rotary models. The reason lies in the fact that the worn-out elements are no longer able to rotate at the same speed that they were given at the beginning of operation. From this they often go crazy and they can creak.

How to solve the problem

If the gas meter creaks, you can only inspect the device from all sides on your own. In no case is it allowed to independently dismantle the device and even more so to open it.

If the meter is located outdoors, you can remove debris from its body with a brush or soft brush. If, after external cleaning, the device continues to make strange noise, it is better to shut off the gas flow into the house before the arrival of a specialist. If there is an electric meter nearby, it is advisable to turn off the latter.

Sometimes the master explains the noises from the rotary apparatus by the type of device model. In this case, the owner decides whether to replace the device at his own expense or wait until the end of its operational life and then install a more suitable model of the device.

How to correctly report a meter malfunction

If a breakdown is reported incorrectly, the service bills may be inflated over time. In order not to overpay, save nerves and achieve results from the gas supplier, you must submit an application in this way:

• Pay attention to the payment receipt for gas. It contains the coordinates of the legal entity that serves the house and gas equipment.
• It is advisable to submit an application in writing. At the same time, it is important to clarify in what form the appeal was registered. The application must be registered without fail, otherwise the fact of contacting the service is not considered valid. It is recommended to submit an application in duplicate. Leave one at the office of the service company, and the second with a note of registration - for yourself.
• It is undesirable to contact the gas service by phone. More often, such applications remain unresponsive.
• During the visit of a specialist, it is worth asking if this is a planned check or a reaction to an appeal. If there is no clear answer to the question, you should call the service company and find out everything.

The gas company is responsible for the quality of the service provided and the serviceability of the equipment.