How to hide manhole covers and drains
Horrible looking drains, manhole covers and inspection chambers appear in driveways and footpaths everywhere. You can even find them in the middle of your lawn or garden!
How do you hide ugly manhole covers and drains?
There are several ways to pretty up these ugly necessities but, however you choose to do it, remember that water utility companies require access at all times. If they cannot be accessed when required they will be dug up and not only will you receive a bill for doing so, you will also be left with the expense of repairing any damage.
A much better idea is to (where possible) replace the existing industrial looking cover with a removable recessed (or inset) tray. Then you have the option to either blend them into the surface or make a feature out of them.
Recessed tray options
A quick internet search will show you just how many different types of recessed trays are available – too many to mention here! You choose depending on where they are and what material you are going to fill them with. Basically, they fall into two categories:
Standard recessed tray
Currently the most popular choice, made from polypropylene, aluminium or stainless steel and suitable for use by both pedestrians and vehicles.
Permeable recessed tray
This more recent option from EcoGrid provides a load bearing surface that features membranes and a perforated base which allows water to slowly filter through to the drain underneath.
Infill options
Another internet search will result in a lot of options for infilling a recessed tray. Your final choice will depend on where the drain, manhole cover or inspection chamber is and what the surface will be used for. Here are a few of the most popular infill options:
Block paving or bricks
These are common choices and can be cut to either blend in or contrast with the surrounding surface.
Resin bound paving
This is the most popular choice for a seamless finish - created by infilling the recessed tray with the same colour aggregate. You can also create contrast by using a different colour or produce a logo or design in the recessed tray. Using a permeable recessed tray with resin bound paving creates a fully permeable surface.
Loose gravel
Probably the quickest and easiest way to infill a recessed tray is with loose gravel, but it will inevitably scatter. The fleeing gravel will need regular sweeping and replacing and your lawn mower won’t like it much either...
Grass
Whilst sowing grass seeds into a recessed tray blends in with a lawn it can be awkward to mow and unless it’s sown in a permeable recessed tray, it will dry out very quickly. Of course you could opt for artificial grass…
Plants and flowers
Infilling with flowers and/or plants can help disguise unsightly drains, manhole covers or inspection chambers. You can also create a spectacular feature, but as with grass they will dry out very quickly unless a permeable recessed tray is used.
Read our case study “Our drive was 'SureSetted' last week and looks fantastic” about using SureSet to disguise drains and manhole covers.
Useful links:
How to build a recessed manhole cover.
An overview of recessed drain covers from the Paving Expert.
We strongly recommend clarifying ownership and responsibility before modifying or carrying out maintenance to drains, sewers and manholes.
If you would like some more information about how to make your drain or manhole cover look a little nicer please either email us or call free on 0800 612 6501.
