So you’ve driven past the same broken manhole cover every day for the last week, and no one has done anything about it yet. You finally decide that you should do something about it before you or someone else gets badly hurt, but what can you do exactly? That’s what we’re here to answer in our guide on what to do if a manhole cover is missing or damaged.
Determine What Is Wrong With It
There are multiple reasons why a manhole cover would need replacing. Obviously, if it’s missing, you’ll know before you even get up close to it. On the other hand, if it’s damaged, you’ll need to assess what’s wrong to inform the person who will be replacing it.
It could be as simple as the cover popping out of its hole. However, they are quite heavy, so if you’re going to try to push it back into place, you might need some help. If it doesn’t fit back in properly, then there is something wrong with it, and it’ll need to be replaced.
Normal damage can occur as well, like a crack down the middle or a chunk that’s broken off, but covers can break in subtler ways, too. An example of such a problem is if the manhole cover or the asphalt around it has sunken lower than the rest of the road. These are both problems that require immediate maintenance.
Figure Out Who To Call
In most cases, you’ll want to call the city to fix the situation. They are the ones responsible for public roads. As we’re sure you’re aware, most city governments are slow to respond when it comes to road work, so a better option might be to call the manufacturer of the cover.
Almost all manhole covers have some form of identification on them. Once you figure out who they belong to and give them a call, many of these companies are willing to fix their product if it’s causing difficulties on the road. Of course, if the cover is straight-up missing, you’ll be forced to remedy this situation through the city.
What To Do if It’s on Your Property
There’s one big caveat to all of this, though. If the manhole cover is on your property, it’s your responsibility, not the city’s. You might still be able to call the manufacturer, but they will be less likely to fix it if it’s not a city-wide problem.
That’s why it’s better to simply handle it yourself and buy a new one, which we can help you out with. We sell pretty much any kind you would need, even square sewer covers, so be sure to check out our online store to see if we have what you need to figure out what to do if your manhole cover is missing or damaged.
