Manhole cover replacement

Hi we have a rectangular manhole cover in our garage that is rusty on top and needs replacement. Shops sell these & water sewage company suggest doing this ourself or private company. 

Has anyone replaced theirs? 
How easy is it & whats the risk of further problems once the lid is lifted? 

Comments

  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Forumite Posts: 12,914
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    Depending on the age of the cover, it might be as simple as taking the old one to a builders merchant and walking out with an exact match. If it is an old cast iron one, you may need to purchase a cover and frame (they usually come as a pair), cut out the old frame, and cement the new one in place. Not an easy task if you don't have the tools..
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  • Eldi_Dos
    Eldi_Dos Forumite Posts: 1,176
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    I was going to suggest a trench cover plate as a stopgap solution till I saw the price of them.

    Best to take old one to builders merchants as FB advises.
  • Belenus
    Belenus Forumite Posts: 2,494
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    edited 5 July at 12:06PM
    Does it need replacing?

    Can you scrape off the worst of the rust and then paint it with Hammerite direct to rust metal paint or something similar.

    A small tin should cost no more than about £13 if you shop around.
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  • hoping24
    hoping24 Forumite Posts: 19
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    It’s got holes where the rust is. I tried to lift with the very tiny handles but some more rust fell in so could be a tricky job. 
  • stuart45
    stuart45 Forumite Posts: 3,469
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    If it's really rusty, it may hard to remove. As the cover and frame are sold together, you might as well replace both. Worth cutting a piece of timber to go over the benching while cutting out the frame and bedding in the new one with sand/cement.
    Grease up the frame before fitting the cover.
  • subjecttocontract
    subjecttocontract Forumite Posts: 1,265
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    My new manhole covers came with black plastic frames so that they dont rust in place and become difficult to open.
  • Vannaa
    Vannaa Forumite Posts: 30
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    I bought one off Amazon for £29, it came with a plastic surround that presumably gets cemented in. This was for a property I was renting so I just dropped the new cover in the old, very rusted metal surround.
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