How do you adjust manhole frames/lids?

If you are involved in the maintenance of sewers, it’s a safe bet you will have to remove and adjust or replace manhole frames and lids from time to time.

When roads are repaved the elevation change requires the adjustment of the manhole frame/lid. Occasionally the frame/lid might need replaced due to wear. When this operation becomes necessary, you will want to be sure you are using the latest technology. In the past saws and air hammers were the tools of choice. When these outdated methods are in use

When roads are repaved the elevation change requires the adjustment of the manhole frame/lid. Occasionally the frame/lid might need replaced due to wear. When this operation becomes necessary, you will want to be sure you are using the latest technology. In the past saws and air hammers were the tools of choice. When these outdated methods are in use back injuries are not uncommon.

Further, these old methods are quite time-consuming. One manhole frame/lid adjustment can take a crew a day or more to complete. The rebuild process has often included the use of precast concrete rings stacked to the appropriate height. These rings not only break and fail under traffic impact loads, but they leak. Leaky concrete adjusting rings on a series of manholes can double the amount of treatable sewage showing up at the treatment plant during a rain event. The top ten percent of the manhole is where ninety percent of the leakage occurs. It is costly to treat sewage, so any reduction of treatable sewage is a welcome prospect.

The last ten years have seen major advances in manhole frame/lid-adjusting technology. No longer do men slave over heavy air hammers and lift heavy debris. New round cutting tools mounted to skid steer loaders cut perfect circles in the road around manholes and lift the frame and road overcut out in minutes with little manual labor. The rebuilding process has been designed to speed repairs while making them durable and leak free. Because much of the process is mechanized the high-quality results are fast and repeatable, manhole after manhole.

Let’s review, the new repair methods are safer, faster, level with the road every time, and are leak free. Additionally, they look fantastic, and best of all they save money by initially reducing labor cost, and later by reducing leakage.