Manhole 101:  Find More On Types, Materials, And More!

Manhole offers a vertical access from the ground surface to the sewer/stormwater line, typically at junctions. Manholes are required for a number of reasons, right from facilitating inspections of stormwater lines and sewers to making room for ventilation. Manholes are also used for connecting systems and changing direction of the stormwater lines. You will mostly find manholes at junctions where two or more stormwater lines meet, or where there is change in line. Most municipalities also lay manholes just for maintenance and access to the sewer line. In this post, we are discussing a few aspects about manholes that you need to know.

Types of manholes

There are basically three types of manholes. The first one is called a shallow manhole, which are no more than three feet deep. These are basically found at the start of a branch. Normal manholes are the second option, which are no deeper than five feet. The last type is called a deep manhole, which are over five feet in size. To get access to the area underneath the ground, ladders are often used, and in most cases, deep manholes have a heavy cover.

Materials used for making manholes

Typically, manholes are made of concrete, but now, plastic and fiberglass manholes are also very common. Plastic is one of the most-used alternative materials for manhole covers, and products like manholes and covers are made through the process called rotational molding, which make it possible to products with extreme durability and strength.

More on plastic manholes

For the uninitiated, plastic manholes are made from polyethylene and don’t have any seams or seals whatsoever. With plastic manholes, there are no additional concerns related to corrosion, and these are designed to be super durable, so the cost of maintenance is reduced considerably. Also, it is possible to get ladders built-in with the manhole, so it is quite easy for installation, as well. If you compare plastic ones with precast concrete manholes, the advantages are obvious. In general, precast concrete manholes are assembled at site, which also involves considerable work.

Final word

In case you need to order plastic manholes, check for a manufacturer who specializes in this and can handle bulk orders. Ask them about the quality and do discuss your requirements in detail. If manufactured rightly, plastic manholes can be a solution for most cities, and more municipalities are adopting this as an alternative. To know more about manholes, check online now.

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