Manhole Repairs & Installation

MANHOLE REPAIRS & INSTALLATION PALM BEACH – COPY & PASTE

Manhole Repairs & Installation in Palm Beach County, Florida

Professional manhole installation, repair, and reconstruction services throughout Palm Beach County and surrounding South Florida areas. Thum Co. Contractors installs new storm drainage manholes, repairs damaged structures, rebuilds deteriorating manholes, and maintains access points for underground stormwater systems.

Our manhole installation team serves West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, and surrounding areas. We work with property owners, general contractors, and developers to install and repair manholes that provide essential access to storm drainage infrastructure.

Call (561) 366-2050 for a free manhole installation or repair estimate in Palm Beach County.

What Are Storm Drainage Manholes?

Manholes are vertical access structures built into underground storm drainage systems. They provide entry points for inspection, maintenance, cleaning, and repair of buried storm pipes. Unlike catch basins that collect surface water, manholes primarily serve as:

  • Access points for pipe inspection and maintenance
  • Junction points where multiple pipes connect
  • Change points where pipe direction or elevation changes
  • Locations for pipe repairs and cleaning equipment entry

Storm drainage systems throughout Palm Beach County require manholes at specific intervals and locations to maintain system functionality and allow proper maintenance over time.

Types of Manholes We Install and Repair

Standard Storm Manholes

Manhole installation storm drainage Palm Beach County

Circular precast concrete structures (typically 48 inches in diameter) with access covers, adjustment rings, and connections for incoming and outgoing storm pipes. Standard manholes work for most residential and commercial drainage applications.

We install manholes at pipe junctions, direction changes, and at intervals required by engineering specifications or local codes throughout Palm Beach County.

Junction Manholes

Manholes where multiple storm pipes converge. Junction manholes require careful installation ensuring proper flow channels, appropriate invert elevations, and smooth transitions between pipes.

These structures are critical in larger drainage systems where tributary pipes collect into main drainage lines.

Drop Manholes

Structures handling significant pipe elevation changes. Drop manholes include internal structures (drop pipes or baffles) that control water entering at higher elevations and exiting at lower levels without excessive turbulence or erosion.

We install drop manholes where steep terrain or pipe grade changes require elevation transitions in storm systems.

Shallow Manholes

Smaller-diameter structures (24-36 inches) used where space is limited or where access to shallow pipes is needed. Shallow manholes provide maintenance access without full-size structure requirements.

These work for residential applications or locations where standard manholes are impractical throughout South Florida.

New Manhole Installation

Installation Process

1. Location and Layout We stake manhole locations per engineering plans or designed drainage systems, coordinating positions with pipe alignments and required access points.

2. Excavation Using excavators, we dig holes accommodating manhole diameter plus working space for pipe connections. Excavation depth accounts for manhole height, base requirements, and finish grade elevation.

3. Base Preparation We prepare stable bases—typically compacted stone or poured concrete depending on soil conditions and structural requirements. Proper base prevents settling and maintains manhole alignment.

4. Manhole Installation We set precast concrete bases, install riser sections to proper height, and ensure structures are plumb and level. Precast units get sealed at joints preventing infiltration.

5. Pipe Connections Storm pipes connect to manholes at specified invert elevations using proper watertight connections. We ensure appropriate flow channels and smooth transitions between pipes.

6. Backfill and Compaction We backfill around manholes with suitable material, compacting in lifts. Proper compaction prevents settlement that could damage structures or connected pipes.

7. Frame and Cover Installation Manhole frames and covers get set at finish grade, adjusted to proper elevation, and secured. We ensure covers seat properly and meet load rating requirements for their location.

8. Final Grading Surrounding areas get graded to final elevations, directing surface drainage appropriately around manhole structures.

Manhole Repair and Reconstruction

Common Manhole Problems

Frame and Cover Issues: Broken, damaged, or deteriorating frames and covers create hazards and allow excessive infiltration. We replace frames and covers throughout Palm Beach County.

Settlement: Manholes settling due to poor backfill compaction, soil subsidence, or undermining from water flow. Settlement creates hazards and pipe misalignment.

Structural Deterioration: Concrete deterioration from age, chemical exposure, or water infiltration weakens structures. We repair or rebuild deteriorating manholes.

Pipe Connection Failures: Separated or damaged pipe connections allow excessive infiltration, cause erosion, or create structural problems requiring repair.

Internal Flow Problems: Damaged inverts, deteriorated flow channels, or accumulated sediment restrict flow and require cleaning or reconstruction.

Repair Methods

Frame and Cover Replacement: We remove damaged frames and covers, prepare surfaces, install new frames, and adjust to proper grade throughout Palm Beach County.

Manhole repair reconstruction Palm Beach

Adjustment to Grade: Settlement or grade changes require adjusting manholes to new elevations. We add or remove adjustment rings bringing structures to proper finish grade.

Structural Repairs: Concrete deterioration gets repaired using appropriate materials and methods. Severe damage may require complete structure replacement.

Pipe Connection Repairs: We excavate around damaged connections, repair or replace failed joints, and restore watertight connections preventing infiltration and erosion.

Complete Reconstruction: Severely damaged manholes get completely removed and rebuilt. We excavate failed structures, install new manholes, reconnect all pipes, and restore surrounding areas.

Manhole Components and Materials

Precast Concrete Sections: Base units, riser rings, and cones make up manhole bodies. Precast units provide strength, durability, and standardized dimensions.

Frame and Cover Assemblies: Cast iron or ductile iron frames support covers and distribute loads. We select appropriate load ratings—residential, pedestrian, or heavy-duty traffic ratings.

Adjustment Rings: Concrete or polymer rings fine-tune final elevation, bringing covers to precise finish grade.

Pipe Connections: Rubber gasket seals or watertight connectors join pipes to manholes preventing infiltration and exfiltration.

Internal Components: Flow channels (inverts), benches, and drop structures direct water flow through manholes properly.

Applications and Requirements

Residential Developments

Subdivision storm systems require manholes at pipe junctions, direction changes, and regular intervals. We install manholes meeting county standards throughout residential developments in Palm Beach County.

Commercial Projects

Parking lot drainage, building site stormwater systems, and commercial developments need manholes providing access to underground infrastructure. We coordinate with civil engineers and general contractors on commercial installations.

Municipal and Infrastructure

Road construction, utility projects, and public infrastructure improvements include manhole installation as part of storm drainage systems. We work with contractors on municipal projects throughout South Florida.

Repair and Maintenance

Existing properties with deteriorating or damaged manholes need professional repair. We handle emergency repairs, planned maintenance projects, and complete reconstructions.

Permits and Inspections

Manhole installation typically requires:

  • Engineering plans and specifications
  • Building or site work permits
  • Utility coordination and approvals
  • Inspections during installation
  • Final approval and documentation

We coordinate permitting, schedule required inspections, and ensure compliant installations throughout Palm Beach County.

Manholes vs. Catch Basins

While both provide access to storm systems, they serve different purposes:

Manholes:

  • Primary purpose: maintenance access
  • Located at pipe junctions and intervals
  • Generally not designed for surface water collection
  • Covers typically solid or lightly perforated

Catch Basins:

  • Primary purpose: surface water collection
  • Located where runoff accumulates
  • Include sumps for sediment trapping
  • Grates allow substantial water entry

Storm systems often include both—catch basins collecting surface water and manholes providing maintenance access along pipe runs.

Maintenance and Inspection

Manholes require periodic inspection and maintenance:

Cover Inspection: Checking covers for damage, proper seating, and security prevents hazards.

Structural Assessment: Inspecting concrete for deterioration, cracks, or damage identifies repair needs before failures occur.

Internal Cleaning: Removing accumulated sediment maintains flow capacity and allows proper inspection.

Pipe Connection Checks: Verifying pipe connections remain intact prevents infiltration and structural problems.

Regular inspection and maintenance extend manhole service life throughout Palm Beach County storm systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does manhole installation cost? New manhole installation typically ranges $2,500-$6,000 depending on depth, size, number of pipe connections, and site conditions. Commercial applications requiring larger structures cost more. Contact us at (561) 366-2050 for a specific quote.

How much does manhole repair cost? Repairs range from $500-$3,000 for frame replacement or adjustment, to $3,000-$8,000 for complete reconstruction. Cost depends on damage extent and required work. We provide estimates after assessing conditions.

How deep are manholes installed? Depth varies based on pipe elevations. Residential storm manholes typically range 4-8 feet deep. Deeper installations may be required based on drainage system design throughout Palm Beach County.

Do manholes need regular maintenance? Yes, periodic inspection and cleaning maintains function and identifies repair needs early. Inspection every 3-5 years is recommended for most applications.

Can you replace just the manhole cover? Yes, we replace damaged covers and frames without complete structure replacement when underlying structures remain sound.

What causes manholes to settle? Poor backfill compaction, soil erosion from water infiltration, or subsurface voids cause settlement. Proper installation and maintenance prevent most settlement issues.

Do you work on existing storm systems? Yes, we repair, rebuild, and upgrade existing manholes in established storm drainage systems throughout Palm Beach County.

Can manholes be installed in driveways or parking areas? Yes, manholes can be installed in paved areas using appropriate load-rated covers and frames. We coordinate installations minimizing pavement impact and restoring surfaces properly.

Manhole work often involves additional services:

Get Your Manhole Installation or Repair Estimate

Ready for manhole installation or repair in Palm Beach County? Contact Thum Co. Contractors for professional storm drainage manhole services.

Call (561) 366-2050 for manhole services.

Thum Co. Contractors 468 Tall Pines Rd. West Palm Beach, FL 33415

Licensed building contractors providing manhole installation and repair throughout Palm Beach County and surrounding South Florida areas since 2017.