Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Sep 15, 2009 12:57 pm We've got a sewer manhole in the corner of our property, and on first look, it will probably be about 0.5-1 metre below the level of the backyard. I realise I can cover it, but accept that if someone needs access, whatever is sitting on top gets removed. My question is, is it possible to raise the cover so that it's more level with the surrounds? If it is possible, who would be able to do the job (eg. plumber) and would I need council approval to do so? Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 2Sep 15, 2009 1:06 pm Not sute about Sydney, but in Melbourne you would need approval from the appropriate authority (ie the water company), and the work has to be carried out by an authorised plumber (not all plumber's are authorised to work on the authority's sewer assets). Unfortunately when you are talking about alterting sewer assets, it is usually also an expensive process. Blog is now up - http://www.jbdave.blogspot.com/ Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 3Sep 15, 2009 3:41 pm I'd just suggest building a small square wall around it and putting a timber cover on it. That's what i'm doing to mine. To raise our sewer access 50-70cm, $1200. Al & Caitie- Building the Hamilton 278 (Coral) at Narangba Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 4Sep 15, 2009 4:46 pm Its possible, just contact your council, my nieghbour at our previous home had it done this was about 8 years ago it cost him them about $800 that was with brisbane city council. We have two on our block but we are just going to put a wall around them a lot less red tape. Cheers Lou http://take2-customdesigndownslope.blogspot.com 07-10-09 omg they have cut the block 14-05-10 we finally have the keys Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 5Sep 15, 2009 5:03 pm C&C We've got a sewer manhole in the corner of our property, and on first look, it will probably be about 0.5-1 metre below the level of the backyard. I realise I can cover it, but accept that if someone needs access, whatever is sitting on top gets removed. What are you planning to do with that area? We have one of these lovely things in our back yard too - unfortunately, we don't have much yard to begin with, so building walls around it isn't an option. Our solution? We plan to pave over it - not solid concrete though (duh!); square concrete pavers, set in a sand/mortar mix. If they need to be lifted for access (which is unlikely to be a regular occurrence), it's easy to re-lay the pavers afterwards. If it had been a metre or so to the north, we'd have spread mulch over it and sat a large pot on it or something. If you can just hide it in amongst your landscaping, then you might get away with leaving the height as is. Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 6Sep 15, 2009 6:11 pm Quote: What are you planning to do with that area? With the landscaping planning still a couple of months away, my initial thoughts for the area would be the generic lawn and garden. The manhole is quite literally in the corner of the property so there's not a lot of wasted space - I might try out the DIY skills and build a wall and cover as alk suggested. Then a potted plant as you're doing will probably be the best way to go...disguise so no one else knows it's there! Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 7Sep 15, 2009 11:16 pm Good idea. Our manhole is small, 50cm diametre maybe? Just bricking around it (five bricks high cemented together), merbau cover, build up dirt around it, make a small garden etc. Al & Caitie- Building the Hamilton 278 (Coral) at Narangba Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 8Sep 16, 2009 11:16 am We did this recently: Contacted Yarra Valley Water, who raised the manhole up to the slab level (actually a little higher on the pipe). The actual cover is off to one side. Once the ground is raised, they'll come back to finish it all off. We also had to get "Build over Easement" approval from both Yarra Valley Water and Whittlesea Council, as we have both sewer and storm water in the easement. It cost us about $1,200 to raise the pipe and about $400 in approval request payments to the council. Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 9Nov 23, 2010 10:28 am It looks like I've blinked a few times and a year has gone by since I first asked the question. At least now, I have turf laid down and have a better idea of what I want to do with the area. The manhole is relatively close to our boundary, and our neighbour is planning on running a concrete footpath along the fenceline. To help out, I am planning on building a box around the manhole cover (being the cheaper and easier option) and filling around it which will mean I don't need to add retaining walls, drainage, etc.. I'm after some relatively cheap and easy DIY ideas for the box - I had thought of bricks as Alk has done, but my experience with concrete is very limited. I've also thought of some of the generic retaining wall blocks (http://www.australbricks.com.au/nsw/Products/Masonry-Blocks-Retaining-Walls/gb-masonry-frame) but no one is ever going to see them since they'll be a) surrounded by dirt on one side and b) covered up to prevent the little ones from falling in. Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 10Dec 13, 2010 12:50 pm Call up Sydney water, and they will give you the number of your local quickcheck agent that they use, this is a free service (getting the manhole raised) according to the lady I just spoke to. Or you could go to this link http://www.sydneywater.com.au/BuildingDeveloping/QuickCheck/QuickCheckAgents.cfm Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 11Dec 13, 2010 12:58 pm mmmmm I had the same problem... I would be VERY careful... I contact both council and Yarra Valley water and got permission to move the pit cost about $5k !! Then the issue I had I wanted to build it up, however couldnt get permission as it was to deep for them apparently to work..... Therefore I just covered it with soil !!!! I have lived on my block for 10 years and they have NEVER EVER needed access. I was told if they do they will just dig to gain access and I will get a slap BUT thats all..... I little bit cheeky but hey had to be done... Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 12Dec 13, 2010 5:33 pm Why not construct a box of permapine sleepers and use half thickness sleepers for a planked lid which would be relatively easy? What is a generic lawn? weeds? and generic blocks ?? Arfur Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 13Jan 09, 2011 9:32 pm I have heard a few different ways to do this. The first was from a plumber who said there is people who do this by putting a concrete collar on top and costs about $2000. The second is ring up the council and say you keep falling because it makes the ground un-level or that the water pools on it. Apparently the council dont like water pooling on it and dont want that happening and will come replace it for no cost. Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 14Jan 31, 2011 6:42 pm HI,
I recently found out by Sydney Water that there is no longer a cost to raise a sewer manhole. Their conditions changed recently. You simply need to raise an application form thru one of their registered plumbers. i.e. Reece. This may incurr a cost for the Application but nothing to what it was like in the past. The reason from the guy that came to our place (due to the actual manhole being blocked) was that it was no longer necessary to pay for rising the manhole. This is due to people burying them or making them in accessible due to the high costs, causing them more grief and accessing their asset and well screwing the rest of the neighbourhood around. So if your in the same boat as us! put in an APP!!! and get the finish you want to your backyard! Eric EDIT: No application fee is required. Sydney Water raise the Manhole for Free!! Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 15Feb 10, 2011 11:22 pm Sorry to hijack but what about raising the smallish (20cm?) white inspection point that is within my boundary? It isn't a manhole, just a point for a plumber to access the sewer thru. Ours could end up under 1m of dirt but we don't want to lose it if we may need that access in the future? Any suggestions? Cheers Kim Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 16Feb 11, 2011 4:43 am If you dig around it you should find that its fixed to a vertical piece of pipe. You can just cut the pipe and put another section of pipe in with some joiners. Don't raise it above floor level in your house as it acts as an emergency overflow The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 17Apr 14, 2011 12:28 pm Slight topic change, but our neighbour across the road has a sewer manhole straddling her boundary - half of the manhole is on her land, with the other half on council land, what's the deal with this regarding her fences, as she can't have a fence build that goes over the manhole??? Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 18Apr 14, 2011 12:57 pm Now THAT is a conundrum! I have no idea how you'd get around that, though I have seen people in the past who have fenced over the top of meter boxes etc, and then cut a bit out of the bottom of the fence to allow access, then boxed it on their side of the boundary to seal it. I know it's couple of years, but I'd be interested to know how the person near the top of the page got on with paving over the manhole! They said the authorities won't need access very often, but here in Adelaide i know that SA water come out to routinely check their inspection points just about once a year if not more often! That'd be alot of paver relaying! Homestead Homes SA: The Lamont Bayswood Estate; Aldinga Beach Preliminary Signing: April 2010 Floorplans: 13 June 2010 Building Contract: 19 June 2010 Selections: 28 Sept 2010 Scraped; Trenching: 21 Jan 2011 Slab Poured: 28 Jan 2011 Framing: 17 Feb 2011 | Completed 24 Feb 2011 Roof & Gutters: 02 Mar 2011 Bricks: 03 Mar 2011 Wire-up: 12 Mar 2011 Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 19Apr 14, 2011 6:17 pm joannapaulp Slight topic change, but our neighbour across the road has a sewer manhole straddling her boundary - half of the manhole is on her land, with the other half on council land, what's the deal with this regarding her fences, as she can't have a fence build that goes over the manhole??? One solution I have seen to this where the council land is a park is the home owner put a gate over the manhole which gives them a quick way into the park. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Raising a sewer manhole? 20Apr 15, 2011 10:37 am Unfortunately for our neighbour, this is not to a park, it is to the street You might be able to apply to divert the sewer at your expense. In NSW you would contact a Water services co-ordinator and they would give you advice as to whether or not… 1 16145 Hi everyone, Looking for some advise. We are about to build an above ground pool in our backyard. There is a private sewer line running under the pool at 1.6m… 0 11757 |