Nothing lasts forever, especially when you’re dealing with an aging infrastructure. Manholes are a perfect example of this. Manholes represent solid access to pipes and catch basins. However, any flaws in them can quickly translate into big headaches over time. Our process of rehabilitating manholes, starts with inspection and ends with a seamless repair.
Stage one: prepping
The first stage to rehabilitating a manhole is properly cleaning it. Once we eliminate dirt and buildup, restoring the shape of the manhole begins. A key aspect of this process includes filling in cracks and inverts with the proper grout and/or cement product. Once the manhole is structurally stable, the next stage in the process begins.
Stage two: waterproofing
Any water infiltration and inflow must be dealt with ASAP. A waterproofing product is used to seal any leakage. Cleaning and repairing the manhole in stage one enables us to find the leaks in stage two.
Stage three: final lining solutions
There are several options for the final stage of manhole rehabilitation. CIPP (cured in place pipes) is a solution that may be used in scenarios where there’s a great deal of water infiltration and the problem is urgent.
Another solution is a cement/epoxy paste coating. We apply this coating with a trowel in small patches. This dedicated solution takes some time but produces high-quality work with plenty of attention to detail. Moreover, the coating is resistant to moisture, chemicals, and hydrogen sulfide.
Some projects require a slightly different approach. A cementitious lining is applied with a hose and sprayer. Our technicians take care to apply the coating evenly. This is a long-lasting repair that’s perfect for a highly-stressed structure. It’s also beneficial for those in advanced states of disrepair prior to the restoration process.
Any of the final lining solutions presents a net cost savings over manhole rehabilitation’s major competitor: excavating and installing a new manhole. Rehabilitating your old, aging manhole will also help prevent disasters common to collapsing manholes, such as sinkholes.