A manhole, or more precisely a manhole finial, is a characteristic element of a sewer network. It is the only element that can be seen with the naked eye from the surface of the ground. Let's analyse what elements an example manhole consists of, as well as the types of manhole and under what circumstances they are used.

Sewer manhole - key information

Sewer manholes are used in external sewer systems:

• sanitation,
• rainwater,
• general public,
• drainage,
• industrial drains.

Individual manholes can vary in application, material of construction and design, which depends on the purpose of the manhole.

Sewer manhole types

Firstly, sewer wells, due to the possibility of getting inside them, can be divided into:

• manhole - there is the possibility of human inspection inside the manhole,
• non-catchment - inspections and surveys are carried out from the surface using appropriate equipment.

Secondly, by application, it can be divided into:

• through-feeders - used for revising or diverting wastewater flow,
• Collecting (also known as junction) sewers - occur at sewer crossing points and are designed to ensure and maintain the correct flow of wastewater,
• with inlet (left or right) - they have an additional flow and allow a new sewer section to be connected, the inlets can be plugged,
• sediment traps - found in rainwater drains, they prevent rainwater from backing up near the drain,
• cascade - helps overcome large differences in elevation
• cleaning - are where rainwater is used for management,
• Expansion wells - are found in areas with high ground slopes and are used to reduce the number of cascade wells,
• Energy-absorbing - have a similar application to expansion wells, and are placed in tectonically precarious areas (e.g. exposed to mining damage),
• tanks in sewage pumping stations - can be used for industrial wastewater systems and plumbing systems at private homes where pressurised sewage disposal is required.

The materials from which a manhole can be constructed are:

• concrete,
• stoneware,
• polyester resin,
• plastics.

What are the components of a concrete sewer manhole?

The different types of manhole differ in their construction, which is related to what functions they perform and the materials they are constructed from. The components of a concrete manhole include:

• cast iron or concrete manhole,
• cover plate with support ring,
• well chimney circle,
• transition rim,
• working chamber circle,
• concrete drainage channel,
• foundation circle,
• foundation,
• steps.

What components does a plastic sewer manhole consist of?

A typical plastic sewer manhole consists of components such as:

• cover or manhole,
• corrugated shank pipe,
• through or collector tray

It is worth noting at this point that concrete manholes are most commonly found on public roads and yards. Plastic manholes, on the other hand, are usually used on private properties. If a PVC manhole has to be used on a private property, it is worth opting for the best solutions and proven products. For example, for domestic properties we recommend: manhole 315 with sump and stem pipe 0.5 to 2m high, manhole 425 with sump and stem pipe 0.5 to 2m

We offer all the components necessary to configure manholes with diameters of 315, 425 and 600 mm in any way you wish.

In summary, the construction and materials used to construct a manhole depend primarily on its intended use. Manholes are used for external gravity sewer systems. They can support sanitary, drainage and rainwater disposal systems. What is more, manholes also support combined sewer systems and industrial sewers. On private properties, manholes made of plastic are most commonly used. As a result, it is easy to replace individual components if necessary. You can read about which manhole is best for domestic applications in a separate article.