installing "man hole cover" in concrete walkway?
#1
01-23-12, 12:57 PM
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installing "man hole cover" in concrete walkway?
k, so my house has a concrete walkway in front, and right in the middle, there is a paver that has been placed over a hole, which is access to the sewer drain and septic tank.
i would like to replace that with a metal sort of screw cap, similar to a manhole cover, but smaller, like 8 inches wide. i have no idea what that would be called, but people at home improvement centers have been of no help whatsoever (they usually aren't, but anyway). i'd buy it online if that's my only source, but again... don't know what the heck that would be called, i'm sure there's a term for it.
i'm sick of stubbing my toe on that stupid paver. any help to point me in the right direction would be very appreciated
i would like to replace that with a metal sort of screw cap, similar to a manhole cover, but smaller, like 8 inches wide. i have no idea what that would be called, but people at home improvement centers have been of no help whatsoever (they usually aren't, but anyway). i'd buy it online if that's my only source, but again... don't know what the heck that would be called, i'm sure there's a term for it.
i'm sick of stubbing my toe on that stupid paver. any help to point me in the right direction would be very appreciated
#2
01-23-12, 01:08 PM
Super Moderator
Is this also the acess to pump the septic or something else?
Usually you want a riser of some sort then a saftey lid that bolts and locks of some sort.
Segmented Risers
Riser Covers
Mike NJ
Usually you want a riser of some sort then a saftey lid that bolts and locks of some sort.
Segmented Risers
Riser Covers
Mike NJ
#3
01-26-12, 12:25 PM
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honestly, i have no idea what it's for, this house is all sorts of jacked up. it must be some sort of access to pump the tank, that's all i can really deduce. is the riser necessary? i'd skip on the riser and just put in the cover because well... this is smack in my front yard
#4
01-26-12, 02:53 PM
Super Moderator
Need more info.
You say you want to put in a cover than is there now and want 8" but we have no idea how big the opening is now.
Before we can make any suggestions that might make sense we would have to know the whole story.
The first thing you need to figure out is what is under the paver.
Also have no idea what "all sorts of jacked up" means?
Some clear pics of the paver and hole uploaded to a free host like Photo Bucket and a link would help.
Use the flash and take some shots of inside the hole.
Before we can make any suggestions that might make sense we would have to know the whole story.
The first thing you need to figure out is what is under the paver.
Also have no idea what "all sorts of jacked up" means?
Some clear pics of the paver and hole uploaded to a free host like Photo Bucket and a link would help.
Use the flash and take some shots of inside the hole.
#5
01-27-12, 05:07 AM
exactly where is the access hole?
just a thought - you said in the middle of the walkway - is it on your property or in the municipality right of way? if its in the sidewalk that is adjacent to the road, then it might be the city/county/state utility and they should replace the cover.
#6
01-30-12, 12:18 PM
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k, i apologize for the lack of specificity and i do suck at explaining stuff, so here's some pictures. i'll go down this one by one.
The first thing you need to figure out is what is under the paver. dirt and sewage
Also have no idea what "all sorts of jacked up" means?i don't know the full extent of it, but a couple of examples would be extension cords in the attic spliced into the romex, all the water in our house was coming from a pvc pipe crammed into the main shut off from the street, and our main sewage line was just a rusted cast iron pipe with a piece of plastic laying on top. dont worry, fixed all that stuff, but the surprisees never end...
Some clear pics of the paver and hole uploaded to a free host like Photo Bucket and a link would help. yep, you're right, i'm just bein lazy, so here's the pics
so that is the hole, which is about 7 inches, and the paver that is usually on top of it. that's how it was when we moved in.
i did stick my hand down the hole with the camera, but all the pictures just looked like glossy sludge and you can't tell what the heck it is. but i assure you, it's a dirt pit full of deuce, maybe a 2 feet to the bottom?
needless to say, it was sorta creeping me out to have my hand down there...
The first thing you need to figure out is what is under the paver. dirt and sewage
Also have no idea what "all sorts of jacked up" means?i don't know the full extent of it, but a couple of examples would be extension cords in the attic spliced into the romex, all the water in our house was coming from a pvc pipe crammed into the main shut off from the street, and our main sewage line was just a rusted cast iron pipe with a piece of plastic laying on top. dont worry, fixed all that stuff, but the surprisees never end...
Some clear pics of the paver and hole uploaded to a free host like Photo Bucket and a link would help. yep, you're right, i'm just bein lazy, so here's the pics
so that is the hole, which is about 7 inches, and the paver that is usually on top of it. that's how it was when we moved in.
i did stick my hand down the hole with the camera, but all the pictures just looked like glossy sludge and you can't tell what the heck it is. but i assure you, it's a dirt pit full of deuce, maybe a 2 feet to the bottom?
needless to say, it was sorta creeping me out to have my hand down there...
#7
01-30-12, 03:52 PM
Super Moderator
Looks like a septic tank/pit/cesspool thats above grade. That is the lid.
If that is for the home and you are on septic the first thing you need to do is pump it out. Then licate the inlet and make sure there is flow to the tank. Then locate the outlet. Hopefully no water comes back from the outlet. that would mean a saturated field.
Now the disturbing part id that water pipe. Is that a driven well for the sprinkler right next to that tank????
Ugggg!!!!
Mike NJ
If that is for the home and you are on septic the first thing you need to do is pump it out. Then licate the inlet and make sure there is flow to the tank. Then locate the outlet. Hopefully no water comes back from the outlet. that would mean a saturated field.
Now the disturbing part id that water pipe. Is that a driven well for the sprinkler right next to that tank????
Ugggg!!!!
Mike NJ
#8
01-30-12, 11:49 PM
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well, it's not exactly a lid, it really is just like, a stepping stone/paver thing sitting on the hole. doesn't screw on or anything. the previous homeowner stuck it there to keep you from stepping in it i guess.
i'm just looking for something that would be flush with the walkway so it doesn't irritate me so bad...
we did have it pumped first thing when we moved in, and the septic hasn't been causing problems that we know about so far... just don't know where to find a little metal screw cap for the hole...
i'm just looking for something that would be flush with the walkway so it doesn't irritate me so bad...
we did have it pumped first thing when we moved in, and the septic hasn't been causing problems that we know about so far... just don't know where to find a little metal screw cap for the hole...
#9
01-31-12, 03:39 AM
Super Moderator
Take a pic of the hole opening closer. I cant see how thick the cement is.
Is it beveled?
As greg states it looks smooth.
Mike NJ
Is it beveled?
As greg states it looks smooth.
Mike NJ
Last edited by lawrosa; 01-31-12 at 04:56 AM.
#10
01-31-12, 04:30 AM
Super Moderator
To me it looks like the inside of the hole is smooth and meets the sidewalk at 90 deg.
Normally an opening like this has a groove around the inside edge like a basement floor drain for a cover to drop into.
You could make a cover but it would be a bit of a small project.
One way would be to take a round flat piece of metal that is slightly larger than the opening.
Next take a piece of rot resistant wood like maybe cedar and make a plug that will fit the inside of the opening.
Securely fasten the wood to the bottom of the round piece of metal and then place it over the hole.
I've made a few covers similar to what I described but just welded four tabs onto the plate spaced to fit the opening
Normally an opening like this has a groove around the inside edge like a basement floor drain for a cover to drop into.
You could make a cover but it would be a bit of a small project.
One way would be to take a round flat piece of metal that is slightly larger than the opening.
Next take a piece of rot resistant wood like maybe cedar and make a plug that will fit the inside of the opening.
Securely fasten the wood to the bottom of the round piece of metal and then place it over the hole.
I've made a few covers similar to what I described but just welded four tabs onto the plate spaced to fit the opening
#11
01-31-12, 07:16 PM
Member
Most building codes do not allow a septic lid to be installed that close to the house. The tank itself would butt up to the foundation walls and/or footings, too. I suspect the IRC requires a minimum setback, but I'm not sure what it is. The picture looks more like it could be a water shut-off valve access. Would be strange not to have a small box with a lid, but I've seen stranger. If it is, the sludge you're seeing is evidence of a leak somewhere down below where the pipes are. I'd suggest putting on a large rubber glove (w/ long gauntlet) and probe around a bit in the muck with your hand to see if any pipes are down there.
If that's what you have, the slab will have to be removed in order to access the leaking pipe(s), regardless whether you or a plumber makes the repairs.
If that's what you have, the slab will have to be removed in order to access the leaking pipe(s), regardless whether you or a plumber makes the repairs.
#12
01-31-12, 07:39 PM
Super Moderator
we did have it pumped first thing when we moved in
After they pumped this hole was it determined to be your septic?
Put the cover back on or get a smaller paver. Then get a potted plant and put it on top.
Mike NJ
#13
02-03-12, 12:55 PM
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yeah, when we had the septic tank pumped they actually dug up the yard... my husband neglected to ask the guy what the heck the hole is for
we repaired a fat crack in the sewage line, which was basically just spitting the sludge out under that hole, which then flows into the septic tank.
i think i'll go with greg's suggestion in the meantime and plug that sucker up, cuz it sure does irritate me, i just figure i should keep the easy access to whatever that hole is... must be there for a reason.
in the meantime, i'll go with lawrosa's potted plant. '
not a single bit of this house is up to code, i'm surprised it hasn't burst into flames and sunk into the earth by now.
we repaired a fat crack in the sewage line, which was basically just spitting the sludge out under that hole, which then flows into the septic tank.
i think i'll go with greg's suggestion in the meantime and plug that sucker up, cuz it sure does irritate me, i just figure i should keep the easy access to whatever that hole is... must be there for a reason.
in the meantime, i'll go with lawrosa's potted plant. '
not a single bit of this house is up to code, i'm surprised it hasn't burst into flames and sunk into the earth by now.
#14
02-03-12, 01:08 PM
Super Moderator
A little late to the party...but I bet you could find a buriable (not a real word) sprinkler valve housing that would fit with some modification. Or get a slightly smaller one then fill with concrete around it, just leaving the cover exposed.
#15
02-03-12, 02:51 PM
Super Moderator
So its not the septic access. I would buy a cheap wet and dry vac to dispose of when your done and start sucking that hole dry. Get a bright flash light and find out whats in there. Its there for a reason I am sure. If there is nothing in there then just fill it, but I am sure youll find something.
You may find a water shut off, gas shut off, sewer clean out, who knows. But to me its important to know...
And now I want you to find out because I need to know what the heck its for...LOL. Its bugging me.
Mike NJ
You may find a water shut off, gas shut off, sewer clean out, who knows. But to me its important to know...
And now I want you to find out because I need to know what the heck its for...LOL. Its bugging me.
Mike NJ
Last edited by lawrosa; 02-03-12 at 04:49 PM.
#17
02-06-12, 11:40 AM
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HAH! i know what it is now. septic guy was at the house next door, so i went and bugged him, because that's just what i do... and my house has two tanks, a little one and a big one. that's the pump out hole for my little tank, and our septic guy actually pumped out the larger one.
it's another pumpout spot. sooooo lawrosa can sleep soundly now. now i'm gonna figure out how to make a cap for it as soon as i'm done sanding my drywall... ain't fixer uppers great?
it's another pumpout spot. sooooo lawrosa can sleep soundly now. now i'm gonna figure out how to make a cap for it as soon as i'm done sanding my drywall... ain't fixer uppers great?
#18
02-06-12, 11:54 AM
Probably what's called a greese trap around here. Did he say it was hooked to the kitchen sink? They are usually only about two feet in diameter. If it is you may want to cut out a section of sidewalk and recplace it with a concrete top to cover the trap.
#19
02-06-12, 12:12 PM
Super Moderator
Yes but know the question is why do you have two tanks? Are they both cesspools? Do you have a leach field? Pumping is one thing but knowing what you have and how to maintain it is another.
mike nj
mike nj
#20
02-06-12, 06:40 PM
In my area I have seen some older septic systems that have a tank that has no actual field, just a masonry structure with voids to allow the tank to leach into the surrounding ground. In these instances there is often another tank right next to the house. That may be what you have on your hands.
#21
02-07-12, 09:59 AM
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what we've got is like, a little tank that flows into a bigger tank which then flows to a leach field about 100 yards from the house, which also has a wierd ugly vent made of pvc pipe through a cinder block... which also puzzles me, but that's another story.
but yeah, ray, maybe it is your greese trap or whatever, because it is directly below the kitchen window
i've decided that i need to find whoever the previous homeowner is and go slap them. i'm redoing a bunch of terrible drywall in the living room, and i found romex with thumbtacks right through it attaching it to the studs... and yes, i actually have 3 fire extinguishers peppered through the house juuuuuust in case.
but yeah, ray, maybe it is your greese trap or whatever, because it is directly below the kitchen window
i've decided that i need to find whoever the previous homeowner is and go slap them. i'm redoing a bunch of terrible drywall in the living room, and i found romex with thumbtacks right through it attaching it to the studs... and yes, i actually have 3 fire extinguishers peppered through the house juuuuuust in case.
