Pooling rainwater on/around manhole cover

Kate489130

Hi, we’ve no plumbing issues inside house but for years we’ve had rainwater pooling/puddling around two manhole cover drains in our driveway. The covers themselves aren’t blocked but the rainwater doesn’t seem to drain away and so pools over them. We’re thinking of getting our driveway monoblocked at some point and I think we’d need to address this problem first! Anyone have any experience of this? I’m not very handy so anyone know what type of organisation I need to contact to get it looked at? Any responses much appreciated!

fenwick458

pictures would help. what type of driveway have you got now? have the manholes sunk a bit lower than the rest of the drive?

Kate489130

I’ll need to wait till it rains to get a pic of what’s happening. It’s a concrete driveway. Yes the manholes have sunk slightly lower. 

Robin9

It might just be that the manholes have a very good seal, otherwise the rainwater would slowly seep into the drains (I presume sewage rather than storm water)

stuart45

Robin9 said:

It might just be that the manholes have a very good seal, otherwise the rainwater would slowly seep into the drains (I presume sewage rather than storm water)

When the frames are greased up properly a good seal is made, and this stops water draining into them.

Section62

stuart45 said:

When the frames are greased up properly a good seal is made, and this stops water draining into them.

Even a build up of grit/dirt between cover and frame can be enough to slow the rate of flow to the point that water just puddles on top of the cover.

With foul manholes a seal which stops water draining is also stopping smells coming out - so as you suggest should definitely be seen as a good thing.

fenwick458

I don't think you have anything to worry about, water pooling at the lowest point of a concrete drive is perfectly normal.
if you are getting it "monoblocked" (brick pavers?) then the levels will be sorted, and also water will be able to drain better between each brick anyway. also the manholes will likely be changed for these and the installers will drill holes in the sides so water drains out