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Replacing drain inspection cover

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Comments

  • Lorian
    Lorian Posts: 6,355 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Check eBay too.
  • Actually that's got me thinking., if i just replaced the cover part and used some exterior black paint on the frame part you would barely notice it was broken. 

    That would save me a few quid and a lot less risk of damage.
    Possibly, but make sure it’s sealing properly. Rainwater drains don’t usually smell but if that’s on a foul water drain and it doesn’t seal then it won’t be pleasant.
  • Section62 said:
    ...
    Thanks for the info. I think I'll just stick with that one then to date a lot of faffing around - and try and get some money off. 

    Aye it's pulling things apart that I'm a bit nervous off. If the chamber sections do come apart should it hopefully just be a case of pushing them back together or are they physically joined with something do you know?
    Most plastic fould-water drainage is push-fit.  Some is solvent welded, but that is less common these days.

    The chamber sections shouldn't come apart, because soil friction (if nothing else) should keep them in place.  But without knowing how well the installation was done you can't rule out the possibility of one or more sections coming away with the cover.

    In theory you'd be able to push them back in, but the problem is if you get soil or stones into the joints it might be impossible to get the chamber back together without digging down to clear the debris away.  Again, this isn't a common thing to happen, just a PITB if it does, so worth taking extra care when removing the cover fitting to make sure that is all you remove.
    If you unscrew the lid you’ll be able to see down into the chamber and the joint. That way when you twist it to break the seal you’ll soon see if it’s just the top section that’s moving or the rest of the pipe.

    Trimming a bit off the top of the pipe is easy if you have ( or can borrow) a multi tool. If not, a hacksaw blade will do it.

    Fitting the new one goes easier with a bit of washing up liquid around the joint.
  • That's true. I need to take that lid off anyway so might as well see how easy the rest is to take off. Knowing Bellway they won't have wanted to waste money on sealant ot fitting things properly😂
  • WIAWSNB
    WIAWSNB Posts: 1,478 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 13 October at 7:43AM
    You'll know a lot more once you remove the cover.
    For instance, whether the actual chamber below has been firmly bedded in soil, as S62 suggested. 
    If it has, then there should be next to zero movement in the (almost certainly 'orange') chamber below, when you grab the frame and rock it.
    If it's well bedded, then you should be able to apply as much force as you need to the black frame - twisting it back and forth like a steering wheel, rocking, pulling, until it comes out. In the online pics, you can see it just pushes in to the round chamber, and has a rubber seal - O-ring - on it.
    Wavin/Osma are decent, and the 15 indicates it can take 1.5 tonnes.
    You can get cheap versions starting on eBay from around £23! I wouldn't go there - you'd need to ensure the actual fit is identical for starters.
    I think you should be able to get the real thing for around £40, either by waiting or by haggling.
    They are primarily designed for driveways, where the square frame would be bedded-in up to its top edge, so fully supported; yours clearly isn't! Once you remove the one in your garden, you'll be able to see if it can be easily lowered as mentioned before - whether the cover frame can be simply pushed down further, or whether the top of the orange chamber can be trimmed an inch or so - show us photos.
    What won't be possible - without major work - is to lower the whole chamber!

  • Well unsurprisingly being a Bellway build once I took the cover off it took about a kitten's strength to pull out the whole frame so might as well replace the whole bit.
  • WIAWSNB
    WIAWSNB Posts: 1,478 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Tee-hee!
    Can you tell how far down into the upper cylinder the cover-holder went? See the rubber O-ring - where did that sit?
    Ie, will the cover push down further until it hits the 'ridge', if you trim some height from the cylinder?

  • I couldn't see unfortunately but once i get the replacement i can measure up and see if any can be trimmed off.

    It wasn't that much higher than lawn and I've gone over it a few times with my mower and never hit it so I assume previous people had mower on a very low setting - either that or Bellway just fitted a ratty, old broken cover. Either is highly possible 😀
  • I've managed to order one from eBay for a best offer of £45.

    Just want to say thanks for the help everyone, made it a lot easier to get sorted. Really appreciated

    (Cue update in a week - how do I fix an inspection chamber that's been accidently demolished 😂)
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