A: In the vast majority of cases, you will be best replacing the manhole cover itself and the frame in which it sits.

This is because you will face difficulty sourcing a cover that fits perfectly into the existing frame, potentially compromising the installation and its safety too. Therefore, the old cover and frame both need to be removed and after carefully measuring the size required a new cover and frame should then be purchased.

A tray only can be purchased for an old frame. These are bespoke so cost a little more than a complete unit and take approx. 3 weeks to produce.

A: The most common mistakes made with manhole covers come with the measurements. Within the entire industry, they are measured based on their clear opening size.

This is the aperture size that is left when the cover is removed from the frame, as shown in the diagram below:

The clear opening size is equivalent to the size of your chamber. It is not uncommon for people to measure the overall size of an existing manhole cover, but we strongly advise against this as manhole covers can have the same clear opening and different overall sizes.

It is also important to know the total cover or internal tray depth, depending upon the type of manhole cover you require.

Flags and tiles for example can go into a shallow cover, block paving more like an 80-100mm deep cover, etc.

A: If you lift the lid of your current cover and measure the inner dimension of the chamber walls this is your "clear opening". Our website list sizes by the clear opening so we should have something to suit as chambers are generally built to standard dimensions. The overall size of the cover and frame is bigger as they are supported on the ground around the hole in the ground. You can put a larger size cover over the chamber if not an exact match.

A: It's likely that your cover is quite old and in imperial measurements which are no longer manufactured. However, we can offer bespoke solutions with manhole covers made to the specification you require. It is also often cheaper and quicker to place a larger cover around the hole in the ground - there is rarely a reason you cannot go for a bigger cover.

A: Normally you would buy a manhole cover with a clear opening that matches the size of the access chamber or hole in the ground and cut tiles in the most appropriate way. For aesthetics we have been asked to supply covers that match tile sizes. The best way is to have a cover made that has an overall frame size of your tile. The tile will need to be trimmed to fit inside the tray but your grout lines will run in straight lines which will be visually appealing. We have covers in the tile size section with discreet barrel lifting points.

A: Naturally, galvanised steel or black polypropylene covers aren't always ideal, and so we offer brass or stainless steel edging, as well as complete stainless steel covers, and of course our new aluminium range.

A: Unfortunately, we do not offer an installation service. We recommend local handy-people or builders. The process is also usually quite straightforward and any budding DIY'er can undertake.

A: If you are still unsure after reading this guide, free to get in touch or read through these additional tips.

A: We suggest FACTA AAA or B125 covers as the minimum specification for driveways. A15 covers are suitable only for areas with light pedestrian or cycle flow and should not be installed in driveways. For further information, please refer to our weight loadings guide here.

A: Yes, there are a select few manhole covers which are square-to-round, meaning they will fit square or round chambers. These covers include the T1G3, CD 300, CD 450SR/46SL, CD 300SR, CD 450SR, CD 300SR-GT-EG and CD 450SR-GT-EG. A round opening can be surrounded by a square opening cover. Simply finish the visible quadrants with concrete for neatness.

A: Yes, many covers have built-in lifting keys, and for those that don’t, we also supply lifting keys. However, the best way to obtain easy access is to have a bespoke, hinged manhole cover. We also offer spring and gas assisted lifting.

A: You will need a sealed and locked cover such as those in the sealed & locked, water & odour proof, triple sealed aluminium or stainless steel sections. The best option is a recessed cover which can be infilled with tiles etc to look more discreet in the floor.

A: As a rule of thumb, recess depth should be tile/slab depth plus approximately 30mm for screed.

A: This is something you may need to discuss with the manufacturer of the tank or cess pit. A sealed cover would stop odour but there may be a build up of gases so an alternative venting point may be required.

A: Your cover must be sealed and locked if inside so look in the appropriate sections such as sealed & locking, water & odour tight, triple sealed, aluminium or stainless steel. If you have a suitable sealed + locked cover check the seals and perhaps the ground around the frame.

A: We produce GrassTops which feature drainage holes and geotextile membranes, allowing the water to drain through and your grass to grow. These are also suitable for other infill materials such as chippings, gravel and suchlike.

A: Forklifts have solid wheels which apply pressure differently to standard pneumatics and therefore covers must be specially adapted to suit this.

A: If you have a cracked ductile lid the best solution is to break out the existing frame and install a suitable new cover and frame. Bespoke lids only are available so please fill in your details on the bespoke form section of the website.

A: In case of card issues please contact your card issuer. Most failed payments are due to errors in entering card information.

We take payment via the website via card or PayPal. Or we can take payment over the phone if this is a way you would like to pay. Bespoke quotes and orders are to be paid by BACs transfer to our bank account. Bank details will be supplied if you want to go ahead.

A: Our standard delivery terms are offered by default at no extra charge.

We will aim to get you your order in 1-3 working days however once the order leaves our warehouse it leaves our control so it cannot be 100% guaranteed. Our carriers have a success rate on next day of 79.8%.

Order Cut Offs:

Our generic order cut off times for same day dispatch are 11am for larger orders where a pallet is required for delivery and 2pm for smaller package orders.

Post Office Deliveries:

Smaller items usually less than 1.5kg are delivered using first or second-class delivery. With this service we are generally unable to ask for items to be left in a safe place. In the instance you are not in, a card should be left to inform you where you can collect your item. If collection is not made within around 1 week the items may well be returned to us. If items are returned to us we can arrange re-delivery, but this is charged for at the same rate you paid initially*. If you no longer want the item, we can refund you for the item.

*if initial delivery was free you will be charged our standard rate for redelivery.

DPD / Parcel Courier Deliveries:

Items up to 30kg are usually delivered with DPD, DX, ParcelForce or similar small parcel carrier. We can specify special instructions on these deliveries, but the standard procedure is the same as the post office above and if you are not in they will leave a card and advise how to arrange re-delivery or collection. In our experience if you ask for it to be left somewhere specific the driver usually will assist if possible. We advise that if you do need something leaving you have to take responsibility for the condition of the item and that it won’t go missing. Our advice is always to open your item and thoroughly inspect it prior to signing whilst the driver is present. Again, if a delivery is missed and contact is not made to the courier after a week or so the items will be delivered back to us. We can arrange re-delivery, but this is chargeable.

Pallet Deliveries:

Pallet deliveries can be made on any type of truck from 7.5 tonne vehicles to 40-foot articulated trucks. This is determined by the delivery company’s route. If you have any access restrictions, please inform us ASAP and we can request delivery on a smaller 7.5tonne vehicle. We cannot offer any smaller vehicles than this as standard. If needed, we can price for transit van delivery, but this will be at least double the delivery charge. For all larger pallet deliveries from 4 pallets to full loads we expect you to have offload facilities in place.

We can offer a pump truck and/or tail lift service for most deliveries, please request this ASAP. When pump truck and tail lift offload is requested the driver will offload in the most suitable place, not always on your property as the pump truck cannot go over rough terrain and kerbs etc. If there are no safe flat areas pump-truck offload will not be appropriate. Pallet deliveries will only be attempted once for the standard delivery charge. We can request at your risk that items are left somewhere safe. In the instance that you are not in to receive the delivery and we cannot contact you to establish a suitable place to leave the items they will be taken back to the depot.

Delivery Surcharges:

There are a few factors that determine if your order will be liable to pay a delivery surcharge, these include if you live somewhere with restricted vehicle access you will need to pay a surcharge for a smaller vehicle to make the delivery.

Also if you live outside of the UK mainland you will need to pay a delivery surcharge to wherever your desired delivery location is.

If you do not disclose any of this information when making your order then please expect to have to pay a redelivery fee as well as a small vehicle charge if its necessary.

Re-deliveries:

These can be arranged but there is a charge of 50-100% of the initial delivery (varies). Collection is available in most instances from the pallet networks local depot. In certain circumstances your delivery may be made by an artic truck full of our product going to multiple locations. Please refer to your delivery note and only take your items from the truck. Collecting and re-delivering incorrectly off-loaded items can become costly.

If in doubt please call us and we can advise you on what should be removed and liaise with the delivery company to make sure the correct items are selected. With all our deliveries you will receive an email with the estimated day of delivery where an email address has been supplied. We cannot guarantee this day will be exact, but it will give you the best estimate available.

Missed Delivery:

Please get in contact with us if you have not received your order within 3 working days as our couriers have a very limited timeframe for their claims procedure.

Please note all specific delivery requests made on orders will be added and provided to the courier, it is at the discretion of the delivery person if this information used.

A: Yes if your local or happy to collect please note this on your order and we will contact you to work out the best time to collect from our warehouse.

Our facility is easily accessible, situated in Wallasey, on Wheatland Lane near St Pauls Road (CH44 7ER).

A: Once shipped items are controlled by the courier, please check the status of delivery with the courier first. Delays can be outside of our control, we will of course do our best to help you can find out of any issues with your delivery.

We cannot accept liability for any personal damages resulting from delays of the goods, including compensation for lost work and exceptional hire charges in relation to delays. We strongly advise all customers to not schedule or start work before they are in receipt of the goods.

A: If you are not entirely happy with your purchase we will try to assist. Please contact us via sales@recessedmanholecovers.co.uk if you wish to return your item. Please provide your order number and reason for returning and we will check your purchase history and issue a Returns Note. The Returns Note must be included with the goods when you return them.

You will be responsible for arranging and paying for your own shipping costs to return an item.

You have 30 calendar days to return an item from the date you have received it. Your item should be unused and in the same condition that it was received and where relevant the goods must be in their original packaging.

When we receive your item we will inspect it and if in original saleable condition we will be able to issue a refund. Approved returns will be refunded in 3-5 days via your original method of payment.

If any delivery turns up and ANY part of it is damaged or missing please do not sign for or accept the delivery. If items are signed for, they are signed for as received in good condition which makes a claim for damage tricky.