Replace a manhole cover and frame

portchieboy

My present manhole in the tarmac driveway has rusted and is in danger of falling in.

I need to replace it and have found this http://www.wickes.co.uk/5t-Steel-Manhole-Cover/invt/240730 at Wickes. Fine, but any tips from builders please on removing the existing, and how to bed in the frame. Many thanks from a practical DIYer but non-builder!

castman

Just done the same job myself - and a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. Simply a matter of chiseling out the old cover and frame (the frame is the awkward part if set deeply in concrete. Position the new frame and align so that it is level with the drive surface yet has at least an inch of space under the frame so that you can lay an inch bed of mortar (1:3 with sharp sand or use concrete). lay the new frame in place and tap down level.

After an hour or so - when the mortar has started to 'go off' - you can place the new cover back on. DO NOT walk on, and certainly don't drive on for at least 48hrs