The old meter is going to be stuck. It’s been sitting there for decades, growing a crust of mineral deposits. You will grunt. You will consider using a cheater pipe (a longer pipe for leverage), but be careful—brass is softer than it looks. If you snap the inlet pipe, you’ll be calling Bob anyway, but for $500 emergency plumbing. Once it’s free, slide it out and marvel at its grossness. There will be green corrosion and black gunk. Hold it up like a trophy. You have slain the meter.
When to Replace Aging Water Meters - Seadmok Water - Howard County, MD
Step 3: The New Guy Goes In (Gently)
Clean the pipe threads with a rag. Wrap the new meter’s threads with plumber’s tape clockwise (three wraps, no more, no less). Now slide the new meter in. It should have arrows on it showing the flow direction. Don’t install it backward, or you’ll send your water to the street. Hand-tighten the nuts first, then give them a snug turn with the wrench. Do not Hulk out. Over-tightening cracks the brass, and then you start over, but this time crying.
Turn the water back on slowly. Listen. Is it hissing? Good. That’s air. Is it spraying? Bad. That’s your failure. Tighten the nuts just a hair more. Dry everything off with that towel you brought. No, that dirty shirt won’t work. Use a proper towel.
