Yard projects and renovations can be quite the hassle, no matter how big or small they’re going to be. There’s always going to be that one detail that trips you up. In some cases, the culprit is the manhole cover that you forgot was in your yard. Unfortunately, you can’t get rid of it, but you can change it out for a more appealing alternative. If you are currently in the midst of such a problem, then this post on how to choose the right manhole cover for your project is just for you.
Get the Dimensions of the Current Cover
If you absolutely need to switch out the manhole cover you currently have, you’ll need to start by getting its dimensions. The length, width, and depth are the most important measurements to take note of, but the weight might be good to know as well.
Of course, you’ll need to stick with the same shape, whether it’s a circle or some form of a rectangle. Just be sure to measure it in both inches and millimeters because not all companies use the same scaling units.
Determine What Will Be Going Over It
The next thing you need to establish is what will be going over this manhole cover. Will it be people, cars, or something in between, like a lawnmower? This will help you determine what it should be made out of.
The most common option is cast iron because it supports the most weight, but polypropylene covers can also hold the weight of most cars that would be in a driveway, making it a viable option as well. If only people will be stepping on the cover, you can get away with galvanized steel or some lighter plastic models.
Figure Out How Much Water Goes Through the Area
One of the more important things to determine when figuring out how to choose the right manhole cover for your project is how much water goes through the area. If your backyard is prone to backups, now might be the perfect time to invest in a grated manhole cover. Homeowners who have one of those troublesome square manholes and want it to be grated as well are in luck because we sell square sewer covers on our site.
It’s not always easy to know how backed up your backyard can get, though. If you’re unsure, wait until the next time it rains and keep an eye on your backyard to see if there’s any sign of backup. If there is, then you know exactly what type of manhole cover to get.
Picking the Right Style
Obviously, the whole point of replacing this cover is to pick something that fits your yard better. While a manhole cover will never look natural, you can play around with the types and colors to find something that will blend into the space better.
However, for those of you who are really picky, there are recessed manhole covers that give you a 60 mm depth on top to put whatever you want inside. You might not be able to get anything to grow inside, but you could fill it with dirt or even some asphalt if it’s going to be in your driveway. The possibilities are endless.
