Drain Cover Lifting Handles

Bronnie

On the inventory accompanying the lease on my small retail premises is listed:

"Sealed drain. 2 x cover lifting handles"

Now these have obviously been lost in the mists of time, in fact I can't even recall them now and I need to replace them.

There are 2 drain covers outside are just normal domestic size looking things. There is one which says "airtight seal" on it and another with holes across 2 corners to get a grip of.

Are these lifting handles universal or are there different sorts for different covers?

Can anyone help with links to the sort of thing I can quickly and easily obtain to replace the lost ones? I have had a look on ebay, but not sure really.

Thank you.

ic

Any of these jog your memory? https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=drain+cover+lifting+handle&rlz=1C1CHFX_en-gbGB473GB473&aq=f&oq=drain+cover+lifting+handle&sugexp=chrome,mod=0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=drain+cover+lifting+handle&hl=en&rlz=1C1CHFX_en-gbGB473GB473&prmd=imvns&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=vs-HUJyBJqTC0QWTmICoBQ&ved=0CFUQrQQ&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=30ff6c9f2b82c0c2&bpcl=35466521&biw=1490&bih=839

Bronnie

No I'm afraid they don't.

Are the just something that is the right shape to wedge underneath to give something to hold onto?

The one I've got has holes rond the edges like this, but it's rectangular and the holes are bigger. (Big enough to stick your fingers in and yank the top off imo!)http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=rectangular+manhole+covers&start=203&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&rlz=1T4ACAW_enGB461GB385&biw=1058&bih=455&tbm=isch&tbnid=JPnYi-6xr-m8KM:&imgrefurl=http://www.pavingexpert.com/drain05.htm&docid=6Ad72J1_TWRCxM&imgurl=http://www.pavingexpert.com/images/drainage/MH_600.jpg&w=350&h=265&ei=MzCIUPGOGpCY1AW-8ICIBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=275&vpy=94&dur=159&hovh=195&hovw=258&tx=124&ty=106&sig=100501329955899589845&page=15&tbnh=149&tbnw=203&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:200,i:46

pka_2

If they are both like the one in the link you've posted then a standard manhole lifting key will do the job. They should have holes in the middle of the lid which the keys go in to though, you don't use the holes at the edges.
In your OP it mentions a sealed drain, quite often these are bolted down to prevent the smell emanating up though the cover and they often need hex/threaded manhole keys to open them with.
Quite surprised that a bog standard manhole key would be listed on an inventory so I would suspect that they are specialist ones for the sealed cover you have.

Bronnie

pka wrote: »

If they are both like the one in the link you've posted then a standard manhole lifting key will do the job. They should have holes in the middle of the lid which the keys go in to though, you don't use the holes at the edges.
In your OP it mentions a sealed drain, quite often these are bolted down to prevent the smell emanating up though the cover and they often need hex/threaded manhole keys to open them with.
Quite surprised that a bog standard manhole key would be listed on an inventory so I would suspect that they are specialist ones for the sealed cover you have.

If you knew how anal my Landlord was, you wouldn't be surprised! Thanks. i'll have another look tomorrow and ignore the holes round the edges. Cheers!

pka_2

Just noticed from your op that this is a retail premises, you don't have any manhole covers inside do you? Will probably only be able to see the metal rim round the edge as floor finishes will most likely be laid in to it if there is one

Bronnie

Ah!

Actually I think there is one in a wet preparation area in the back, which is as you describe with studded terracotta floor tiles, laid up to a metal rim.

Ridiculous, walked through there everyday for 10 years and can't remember!

Will check properly and take a pic tomorrow. Could be the handles are for that?

Thank you very much.

Rovver125

OP, there are numerous different types of manhole keys, most covers can be lifted without specialist means.

Understand your need to replace some though so best thing is as you've mentioned above, stick a picture up and can soon tell you!

Bronnie

Here are the photos of the interior drain cover.

Following pka's inspired suggestion yesterday, I am pretty sure now the drain cover lifting handles on the inventory will refer to this interior (terracottta tiled) drain cover, so any links to an example of what the lifting handles suitable form this cover would look like would be gratefully received.

Many thanks, once again.

http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac258/bronnie2009/021.jpg
http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac258/bronnie2009/022.jpg

rxbren

have a play with a screwdriver or similar tool in the holes you may find that the holes are threaded (due to weight and suction threads are safer) so the lifting keys will have a threaded bottom and a handle or be a bolt with a lifting eye
see this site for different keys
http://www.wardsflex.co.uk/acatalog/Hand-Keys-and-Hooks.html

rxbren

this is a similar cover so maybe the keys at the bottom of this link
http://buildingsuppliesdirect.co.uk/product/Manhole-Covers-Recessed-Tray-Double-Seal/2328